Mercedes-Benz
Year:
2023
Service:
Operational Advisory
Industry:
Retail / Apparel
Size:
We were brought in to lead the operations function for the Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Collection - building the supply chain infrastructure, supplier framework, and production governance that now underpins every collection they release.
The company
Mercedes-Benz needs no introduction, but the Lifestyle Collection behind it is its own operational challenge: a premium apparel and merchandise line carrying the standards of one of the most recognised brands in the world, with sustainability compliance mandated at group level.
The problem
The factory and mill network capable of meeting group ESG standards is small, competitive and hard to access without established relationships. Collections still have to hit margin targets, land on time, and clear approvals across brand, legal, sustainability and procurement. The previous approach engaged suppliers collection by collection with no continuity, producing inconsistent quality, unpredictable lead times, and a cost base with no downward pressure on it.
What we did
Stepped in as the embedded operations lead, the hands-on version of a supply chain consultant, and rebuilt the foundation. Audited and mapped every supplier relationship, exited those that could not hold the compliance or quality standard, and built a vetted Tier-1 network pre-approved against Mercedes-Benz ESG requirements, so new collections move faster because the compliance work is already done. Introduced a structured critical path with fixed approval gates and a single point of contact between brand team and supply chain. Cost-engineered the framework, building annual reduction commitments into supplier terms without compromising quality or compliance.
What changed
£38,000 in annualised cost reduction across the supplier framework.
29% reduction in average production lead time.
100% ESG compliance across every collection, zero audit failures.
Three collections delivered on time and within budget.
A supply chain that scales with the collection calendar instead of being rebuilt every season.
