Alka Power: Optimising Operations for Australia's Alkaline Water Leader.

​Revolutionising Supply Chain & Inventory for a National Brand 

Alka Power, Australia's leading alkaline water brand, has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality, naturally alkaline water sourced from the pristine Southern Highlands of NSW. With nationwide distribution across major supermarkets, independent grocers, and convenience stores, managing a complex supply chain and ensuring seamless operations became paramount for their continued growth. 

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This case study explores how our expertise in inventory management, EDI integration, enhanced business visibility, and streamlined customer processes empowered Alka Power to achieve new levels of operational efficiency and market responsiveness.

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​The Challenge: Scaling Operations with Precision

As Alka Power expanded its reach, they encountered common challenges faced by rapidly growing national brands:

• ​Inventory Inaccuracies and Inefficiencies:  
  Manual processes for purchasing, receiving, and stock control led to discrepancies, difficulty in tracking stock across multiple warehouses (including 3PL), and challenges with Bill of Materials (BOM) management for their unique preform-to-bottle manufacturing process. Issues like mismatched Purchase Orders (POs) and invoices, and the need for partial PO voids, highlighted a critical need for streamlined inventory practices.
  
  
• ​Complex Retailer Relationships:
  Dealing with major retailers like Coles and Woolworths required robust Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities to manage orders, invoices, and product information efficiently, avoiding manual data entry and potential errors.
  
  
• ​Limited Operational Visibility:  
  Without integrated systems and clear reporting, gaining a real-time, comprehensive view of sales, inventory, and production was a significant hurdle, impacting strategic decision-making.
  
  
• Streamlining Customer and Sales Processes:  
  While specific CRM issues weren't highlighted, the need for improved sales order management and scenario planning indicated a desire for more structured customer interactions and data.

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​Our Expertise in Action: Tailored Solutions for Alka Power

Our approach went beyond mere software implementation. We focused on understanding Alka Power's unique operational DNA to design and implement solutions that delivered tangible results across critical business functions.

​1. Lead Management & Qualification

We delved deep into Alka Power's inventory workflows, from raw material procurement (like resins and preforms) to finished goods distribution. Our work included:

• Process Streamlining:  
  Redefining and optimising purchasing, receipting, and costing processes to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce discrepancies. This involved addressing issues like partial receipts and ensuring accurate invoice matching.

• Bill of Materials (BOM) Refinement:
  Providing expert guidance on setting up and updating complex BOMs, crucial for their manufacturing process (e.g., incorporating resins and defining water content portions). This ensured accurate production tracking and costing. ​

• Stock Control & Accuracy:  
  Implementing best practices for stocktakes and cycle counts, ensuring precise inventory figures across both their own warehouse (DEAR) and 3PL (Carton Cloud). This focus significantly improved stock accuracy and reduced write-offs.

• Forecasting Integration:
  Setting up and connecting an Inventory Planner solution with their existing inventory system to pull sales and inventory data, enabling more accurate forecasting and proactive stock replenishment.
  
  

​2. Seamless EDI Integration for Major Retailers

Recognising the critical importance of efficient communication with key retail partners, we facilitated robust EDI integration:

• Coles & Woolworths Connectivity:
  We implemented EDI integration via SPS Commerce, enabling automated exchange of purchase orders, invoices, and other crucial business documents with major Australian supermarkets. This eliminated manual data entry, reduced errors, and significantly sped up order processing and fulfilment.

• Supply Chain Efficiency:  
  This integration streamlined Alka Power's supply chain, ensuring they could meet the demands of large-scale retail operations with precision and reliability, strengthening their relationships with key distributors.

​3. Enhancing Business Visibility & Reporting (Dashboards)

While not a direct "dashboard" implementation, our work laid the essential groundwork for comprehensive business intelligence:

• Optimised Reporting:   
  We reviewed existing reports and provided recommendations for generating more insightful data through their system, enabling better understanding of sales, purchases, and stock on hand.

• Data Reconciliation:   
  Ensuring accurate reconciliation of sales, purchases, and stock on hand between their inventory system and accounting software (Xero). This data integrity is fundamental for building accurate and actionable dashboards, providing Alka Power with the foundation for real-time performance monitoring and strategic decision-making.

​4.  Laying the Groundwork for Robust Customer Management

Through optimising sales order management and related processes, we indirectly contributed to stronger customer relationships:

• Streamlined Sales Workflows:   
  By reviewing and recommending improved methods for sales order management, we helped Alka Power process orders more efficiently and accurately.

• Improved Data for Customer Insights:  
  The overall improvement in data quality and process efficiency provides a cleaner dataset that is invaluable for any future CRM initiatives, allowing Alka Power to better understand customer behaviour and tailor their engagement strategies.

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​The Results: A Foundation for Sustained Growth

Our partnership with Alka Power resulted in a more robust, efficient, and scalable operational framework:

• ​Improved Inventory Accuracy:
  Significant reduction in stock discrepancies and enhanced control over inventory across multiple locations.
  
  
• ​Streamlined Operations:
  Automated processes for purchasing, manufacturing, and sales, leading to greater efficiency and reduced manual effort.
  
  
• ​ Stronger Retailer Partnerships: ​
  Seamless EDI communication with major supermarkets, ensuring smooth order flow and compliance.
  
  
• Enhanced Decision-Making:
  A solid foundation of accurate and reconciled data, empowering Alka Power with the insights needed for strategic planning and growth.
  
  
• Empowered Team:  
  Comprehensive training and ongoing support ensured Alka Power's team was proficient in leveraging the optimised systems and processes.

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​Partner with Us: Your Expert in Business Optimisation 

Alka Power's journey demonstrates our deep expertise in transforming complex operational challenges into streamlined, efficient systems. We pride ourselves on delivering holistic solutions that go beyond software, focusing on inventory management, EDI integration, business intelligence, and process optimisation to drive tangible results for national brands.

If your business is facing similar challenges in scaling operations, managing complex supply chains, or enhancing data visibility, contact us today. Let's discuss how our expertise can empower your brand for sustained success.

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