Specialty Bolt & Screw Achieves Significant Reduction in Working Capital with RELEX Solutions

Leading distributor in the fastener industry enhances global supply chain efficiency and reduces working capital with RELEX  

Specialty Bolt & Screw (SBS), a leading distributor in the fastener industry, has driven significant improvements in operational efficiency and financial health with RELEX Solutions, provider of unified supply chain and retail planning solutions. Since May 2022, RELEX has provided advanced forecasting, distribution, production, and purchase planning solutions for SBS’s global supply chain. 

By working with RELEX, the company has achieved: 

• 29% reduction in inventory levels 
• Significant savings in working capital 
• 15% reduction in planners’ workload 

Before the RELEX implementation, SBS faced challenges with excessive inventory and low forecast accuracy. They turned to the RELEX solution because of its intuitive user interface, easy configuration capabilities, and the strength of the RELEX implementation team. The project was completed within a year, starting in May 2022 and achieving full implementation by May 2023. 

As a result, SBS has transitioned to a global planning organization, placing planning operations closer to their key markets in Mexico and Taiwan. This integration has enhanced their overall efficiency and responsiveness to market dynamics. Advanced forecasting solutions have significantly improved demand prediction accuracy, allowing SBS to finely tune their inventory strategies to align with actual market demands. Additionally, automated monthly recalibration of safety stock levels and item classifications has replaced previous manual, annual updates, enhancing inventory management. 

“The implementation of RELEX has been a game-changer for us at SBS. It’s not just about the technology; it’s about how it has transformed our approach to supply chain management. The ability to dynamically adjust our inventory and forecasting in real-time has set a new standard for operational excellence within our organization,” said Matt Larsson, VP of Supply Chain Operations at SBS. “Most critically, it has led to a significant reduction in our working capital requirements. This scalable solution allows us to expand our customer implementations efficiently, further enabling our global planning team to operate seamlessly across all our locations.” 

“The successful partnership with SBS underscores the significant impact that RELEX Solutions can have on a company’s supply chain efficiency and financial health. We are thrilled to see SBS achieve such impressive results and are excited to continue supporting their strategic goals,” said John Williamson, VP, North America, RELEX Solutions.