Widely regarded as the longest standing and most successful international business assessment tool, the Oliver Wight Checklist, with its resulting accreditations, has become a sought after goal for companies with the commitment to meet its high standards. Now in its sixth edition, this checklist has set even more demanding standards to provide a comprehensive vehicle for companies on their journey to achieving business excellence.

Well into its own business excellence journey, Nampak Flexible, Africa’s leading flexible packaging supplier, was recently awarded Capable Integrated Business Planning (IBP, [Status]) accreditation after a stringent audit by Oliver Wight. IBP can most simply be described as advanced sales and operational planning (S&OP, [Status]). However, unlike S&OP, IBP brings a truly strategic perspective, integrating diverse processes - in the extended supply chain, product and customer portfolios, customer demand and strategic planning - into one seamless management process.

Nampak Flexible becomes the first business in South Africa to achieve this accreditation to the latest sixth edition standard and one of a select few companies worldwide. According to Oliver Wight Managing Partner, Lloyd Snowden, Nampak Flexible followed the intricate accreditation process seamlessly and “to the book” as a result of the high levels of commitment from the leadership team and business as a whole.

Lloyd went on to say that in terms of supply chain management, strategic planning and other areas, Nampak Flexible is far ahead, creating closer partnerships with its major client base and proving, by way of outside accreditation, that they are top class.

“Since Nampak Flexible has undertaken the Oliver Wight process, lead times have reduced significantly, inventory has almost halved, customer service is at a higher level and the whole process of doing business with the company is smoother,” says Grant Page, Nampak Flexible’s Operations & Supply Chain Director . “Integrated business planning has become the way Nampak Flexible does business, its part of our culture, and has produced great communication between people and departments, resulting in end to end quality,” says Grant.

According to Monte Maritz, Nampak Flexible Cluster Strategy Manager, it is important for FMCG businesses to work with international thought leaders such as Oliver Wight. “Accreditation from Oliver Wight brings with it well known processes that are independently audited which in turn gives our customers full confidence in Flexible’s businesses processes”, say’s Monte.

Nampak Flexible Managing Director, Robin Moore, says that the IBP accreditation is a significant milestone in Nampak Flexible’s journey to Full Class A accreditation from Oliver Wight, as well as confirmation to their customers that they are the best choice, not merely as a packaging supplier, but as a strategic business partner.

In addition, Robin believes that this achievement confirms that the Nampak Flexible management information and business planning systems, as well as culture and people development processes are integrated, reliable and working in harmony together according to the highest and most recent international standards.
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