Manufacturing, Cost & Profitability Benchmarking

Ascendant's manufacturing, cost and profitability benchmarking programs enable clients to benchmark their own production costs and processes against alternatives used in the industry.

Our benchmarking programs are designed to enhance our clients' understanding of key cost drivers and process differentiators associated with a specific product line and assess how they vary by technology, process and geography. From the benchmark Ascendant identifies the relevant actions our clients need to implement in order to improve their ability to compete effectively whilst retaining acceptable profit margins.

Reliable information into specific manufacturing processes and technologies, cost structures, operating expenses, revenues and profitability is often unobtainable from published source data, or can only be estimated based on outdated industry sentiment and assumptions. Through the collection of detailed evidence into the production processes that are employed, how the business and manufacturing organizations are structured and run, and what resources are utilized, related to a specific product, Ascendant develops a site-specific COGS model which is detailed enough to show each key line item and the costs associated with it.

Program Evidence	Program Insights
• Current and forecast sales by product and by region • Manufacturing footprint; location and product mix per site • Product specific capacity and production volumes per product per site • Raw material sourcing, suppliers and cost • Current technologies and processes utilized • Equipment type and age • Logistics and transportation costs • Fixed and variable cost structure of each facility • Route-to-market from each facility • Recent and planned investments and expansions	• COGS model for a specific product or product group • Key cost drivers and relative cost position of client versus other players in the industry • Key strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities associated with different manufacturing strategies • Key differentiators, both positive and negative, at a raw material, process, technology and operational level • Potential for cost reduction and efficiency improvements • Areas where production process and technology innovation can be achieved • Past, current and future market dynamics that will drive future supplier strategies

Program Evidence

Program Insights

• Current and forecast sales by product and by region

• Manufacturing footprint; location and product mix per site

• Product specific capacity and production volumes per product per site

• Raw material sourcing, suppliers and cost

• Current technologies and processes utilized

• Equipment type and age

• Logistics and transportation costs

• Fixed and variable cost structure of each facility

• Route-to-market from each facility

• Recent and planned investments and expansions

• COGS model for a specific product or product group

• Key cost drivers and relative cost position of client versus other players in the industry

• Key strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities associated with different manufacturing strategies

• Key differentiators, both positive and negative, at a raw material, process, technology and operational level

• Potential for cost reduction and efficiency improvements

• Areas where production process and technology innovation can be achieved

• Past, current and future market dynamics that will drive future supplier strategies

Evidence Based Decision Making