Executive Summary
A leading commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer transformed its supply chain by
implementing APEX by LeanDNA. Facing constant shortage escalations and decades of hidden
data issues, the procurement team was trapped in reactive firefighting mode. Within one year,
the team achieved an 18.6% inventory reduction, improved clear-to-build from 16.2% to
80.53%, and saved $70K through ERP Write-Back automation. The APEX platform enabled five
team promotions, eliminated manual 4am reporting rituals, and established the company as a
top business unit. Their story demonstrates how manufacturers can escape spreadsheet chaos,
elevate procurement teams from tactical to strategic roles, and build supply chain resilience in
volatile global markets.
The Challenges: Fragmented Processes & Constant Escalations
Before implementing APEX by LeanDNA, the manufacturer’s supply chain was faced with many
common industry challenges:
- Constant shortage escalations that prevented the procurement team from focusing on
core responsibilities like supplier development, cost savings, and working capital
optimization - Systemic data issues hidden for decades with inventory records showing 30 days of
coverage when reality told a different story - No MRP system, just transactional ERP and spreadsheet reliance
- Fragmented processes where production constantly emailed buyers with urgent part
requests
The Solution: AI-Powered Supply Planning
The team implemented APEX by LeanDNA, an AI-powered supply planning platform, delivering
transformation across four dimensions:
Workflow Transformation
With APEX, daily prioritized action lists replace the 4am spreadsheet ritual. Shortages are auto-
flagged by the impact they could have on production and teams collaborate directly in-platform.
Additionally, the purchasing manager now has the visibility to lead a 20-day clear to build
supplier risk and escalation process.
Visibility That Drives Action
APEX revealed systemic issues that had accumulated over decades, showing discrepancies
between what the system said was available and what actually existed on the floor.
“Until we actually had the visibility that APEX gives you as far as all of the KPIs and measurable
data, we didn’t know we had issues, especially with our building material.” - VP of Procurement
This root cause visibility extended beyond the supply chain to identify bill of materials and
engineering issues that had gone undetected.
Seamless Integration
The ERP handles transactions while APEX bridges the execution gap. Operations teams now
check APEX for shortages before escalating, often faster than customer service or receiving
teams can update the system.
“It’s become part of our overall DNA as a company to really utilize and manage the system.” -
VP of Procurement
Streamlined Procurement with Workbench
The buyers now work more efficiently using Workbench, APEX's centralized procurement
execution workspace. Before Workbench, the team dealt with an excessive number of supplier
interactions, relentless PO/PR cycles stretching into weekends and nights, and undocumented
manual processes. Workbench streamlined workflows, enabling asynchronous supplier
collaboration through chat and inbox features, and reduced duplicate work through ERP Write-
Back integration. The platform became the team’s single source of truth, freeing up working
capital, improving on-time delivery, and reducing buyer stress and overtime hours.
Supplier Collaboration
The procurement team uses APEX as the measuring stick for supplier relationships. Of 300
suppliers in their system with 200 active POs, they’re consolidating around core partners while
building dual/multi-sourcing resilience. Suppliers receive visibility to demand forecasts and can
manage relationships through the platform’s collaboration tools like the supplier portal and Write
Back.
Business Impact
The results speak for themselves. Within the first year of implementation, the kitchen equipment
manufacturer achieved measurable improvements across inventory management, operational
efficiency, and cost savings.
18.6% Inventory Reduction
In just six months, the team reduced inventory by 18.6%. This freed $7.2M in working capital
while reducing carrying costs, insurance, warehousing, and depreciation.
80% Clear-to-Build Improvement
From 16.2% to 80.53% (max recorded: 94.1%) in the first year, targeting 96% in the next 6
months. This dramatically reduced expedite fees, late penalties, and missed revenue.
$70k in ERP Write-Back Savings
56,000+ automated transactions since implementation, targeting $200k with full suppliers and
buyer utilization.
Strategic Transformation
Elevating the Entire Team
The procurement team that was drowning in tactical firefighting has been transformed and
promoted into specialized roles:
- Buyer promoted to Supplier Quality Manager, developing preferred supplier models and
KPIs - Buyer promoted to Purchasing Manager, leading strategic execution
- Strategic Sourcing Manager hired to drive supplier rationalization and growth strategies
- Two additional team members elevated to specialized planning and procurement roles
“It’s the same team we had, but with APEX the team is able to focus on a lot more strategic
areas of opportunity versus just being in the system and working on shortage resolution or
paying for costly expedited freight.” -VP of Procurement
Building Tariff and Supply Chain Resilience
Facing ongoing tariff volatility, the team pivoted from single-source strategies to dual/multi-
sourcing enabled by APEX's planning capabilities. The company is re-engaging local suppliers
abandoned during a 20-year shift to global sourcing, to diversify their supplier base on a more
local level.
“Within our MRP, we were not able to plan that multiple supplier focus. With APEX, we now
have that ability to give our suppliers visibility to what our demand is.” -VP of Procurement
A Cultural Shift From Skepticism to Advocacy
Early wins built credibility across the organization. The difference between teams using APEX
vs the operations teams clinging to familiar Excel reports was “night and day.” Teams using
APEX had material on time without shortage escalations, while those relying on spreadsheets
continued firefighting. Now, Operations teams check APEX first for any shortage.
The Bottom Line
The transformation demonstrates that supply chain technology isn’t just about data visibility. It’s
about unlocking strategic value. By automating tactical work, APEX enabled an entire
organization to develop automated capabilities, build supplier partnerships, and create
resilience that protects revenue and margins in an increasingly volatile global manufacturing
environment.
The platform didn’t just improve clear-to-build rates and inventory levels. It fundamentally
changed how the company competes, turning supply chain from a cost center into a competitive
differentiator that leadership credits as essential to their market position.
"APEX has allowed us to hone in our energy on where we needed to spend time and enabled
us to be more strategic and elevate the team to be a lot more strategically focused."
-VP of Procurement
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