Thompson Europe

// Cases

Experience that translates into real impact

A selection of Thompson group projects related to the solutions we offer in Europe.

IndustryBPOTechnology

Formitex Group

Four back offices merged into one shared service centre

A group with annual revenue above BRL 2 billion across eight companies unified its back office and cut expenses by 26%.

−26%back-office expenses
71% → 89%SLA compliance
6×return on investment
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Challenge

With operations in laminates, chemicals, paper and logistics, the group ran four separate administrative back offices, which prevented process standardisation and economies of scale.

Solution

A three-phase project — architecture, processes and implementation — between May 2019 and March 2020: diagnosis of each company, end-to-end review of processes and policies, service level agreements and configuration of the w-TMH workflow.

Results

  • BRL 3.3 million per year reduction in back-office costs.
  • SLA compliance up from 71% to 89% in the first three months.
  • The investment paid back six times over.
AgribusinessTechnology

Fazendão Agronegócio

w-TMH workflow and a new management model

The largest soybean processor in the state of Tocantins reorganised its management and implemented Thompson's workflow.

BRL 6Mexpense reduction
≈ BRL 1bnrevenue
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Challenge

A diagnosis with the PHP2 tool showed motivated teams but little control, organisation and flexibility to sustain growth.

Solution

Standardised processes with explicit policies, KPI-based management with targets and cost centres for each manager, a board committee with external members and the w-TMH workflow, from purchase requisitions to budgeting.

Results

  • BRL 6 million reduction in unnecessary expenses.
  • Figures and processes brought together in a single online system.
MetalsTransition Management

WIL Group

Interim CEO for 36 months

A large metals company in the state of São Paulo, with annual revenue above BRL 500 million, engaged Thompson to provide an interim CEO.

36month mandate
> BRL 500Mannual revenue
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Challenge

The former directors, all members of the same family, moved to the shareholders' board, and a new management team was recruited from the market.

Solution

An interim CEO for 36 months, with a mandate to identify a successor inside or outside the company, or to prepare a merger or sale.

Results

  • Management continuity while the family moved to the board.
  • Succession and corporate transaction options prepared with rigour.
Paper industryTechnology

Santher

Smart CRM connecting sales and production

A sales management platform with combined margin and demand forecasting for the speciality papers division.

See details

Challenge

Made-to-order products had higher margins but high costs due to machine waste: the press has a fixed width, so orders need to be complementary.

Solution

A CRM that groups complementary orders and works with their combined margin, a mathematical model that forecasts demand by density and size weeks ahead, and a database of likely customers by production curve.

Results

  • Production and sales integrated in the speciality papers division.
  • Sales team focused on orders that reduce production waste.
EnergyBPO

Ultragaz

Outsourced services with tax rigour since 2012

Three BPO operations for one of Brazil's largest gas distributors: freight contracts, tax checks and invoice posting.

3ongoing operations
10+ yearsof partnership
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Challenge

Paper contracts sent by courier to branches and transport documents posted by each branch increased the risk of errors and tax penalties.

Solution

Centralised freight contracts with a legally approved template and e-signature (since 2012); centralised tax checks of all transport documents (since 2012); review and posting of supplier invoices and receipts in the SSC (since 2019).

Results

  • Paper contracts eliminated and full history available instantly.
  • Errors and potential tax assessments mitigated.
  • Documents posted in line with current legislation.
EnergyBPO

National LPG distributor

Payment management centralised in a single cell

Auditing and payment of corporate expenses moved into a single structure with end-to-end traceability.

See details

Challenge

Freight, rent, infrastructure and general services were audited and paid in a decentralised way, causing rework, inconsistencies and delays.

Solution

Creation of a single Payment Management cell responsible for the full audit, posting and validation cycle, integrating purchase order and internal requisition flows.

Results

  • Full centralisation of financial and administrative flows.
  • Standardised and automated approval processes.
  • Redundancies removed and more predictable payments.
EducationBPO

Kroton Educacional

One of the first shared service centres in education

In 2009, Thompson was engaged to build the SSC of one of Brazil's largest education groups.

2009project start
1SSC for two institutions
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Challenge

Unifying a network of associated schools and owned colleges across several states under a single integrated administration.

Solution

Design and implementation of the SSC. After the joint venture with Anhanguera, the integrations were reviewed so that a single centre served the units of both institutions.

Results

  • Significant gains in control and cost reduction.
  • A model under continuous improvement, scaled after the joint venture.
EnergyTechnology

Ultragaz

Contract and freight control system

A system implemented in 2012 to manage contracts, freight checks and tax documents, with tax rules built in.

2012implementation
10+ yearsin operation
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Challenge

Reducing losses and unnecessary costs without overloading the legal and procurement departments, while ensuring deadlines and contract compliance.

Solution

A system with standard templates, regional tax rules and daily monitoring by Thompson's team.

Results

  • Penalties prevented, with correct taxation set by the system.
  • A complete history of contracts and procedures.
  • Fast search and a uniform process across the group.

Projects delivered by Thompson Management Horizons teams in Brazil.

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