German based firm Weckerle Cosmetics was singled out on November 30th by the Oriflame group for having successfully managed to significantly reduce its delivery lead times from six weeks to only two weeks.

A real challenge achieved by all the Weckerle teams, which was successfully met thanks to the full cooperation of the Oriflame teams.

"In direct selling we have all the same challenge, explains Thomas Weckerle. We have 4 key parameters in our business, service level, forecast accuracy, lead-time and stock level. The facts are that forecast accuracy is low, stock levels have to be low and service level to the customer has to be high. The only parameter we can directly control is lead-time. This is why we started the project to lower the frozen period on orders to 2 week without increasing stock anywhere in the supply chain. We have achieved this by realizing actual production time of 48 hours for these products. This can only be done, if you have the full production from granulate to finished product in-house. We actually mould and assemble the component, compound the bulk and do all the filling and secondary packaging in-house. This also gives us a more sustainable supply chain. We only stock raw material. We do not have long delivery times of components."

A successful operation that does fully match the philosophy of the Weckerle Cosmetics Group: "Our mission is to live entrepreneurship combining creativity, service, quality, profitability and sustainability."

Oriflame, a sales force of more than 3.5 million independent consultants

Founded in 1967 by two brothers and their friend, Oriflame is now an international beauty company selling direct in more than 60 countries worldwide. Its wide portfolio of Swedish, natural, innovative beauty products are marketed through a sales force of approximately 3.6 million independent consultants, who together create annual sales exceeding some EUR 1.5 billion (7,900 employees, a product range of approximately 1,000 cosmetics products, global R&D Centre with more than 100 scientists, five own production units in Sweden, Poland, China, Russia and India, products based on natural ingredients, never tested on animals, operations in more than 60 countries of which 11 franchisees, new catalogue every 3–4 week).

The company has developed a comprehensive new strategy for environmental responsibility, which includes a series of commitments across four key areas: sustainable sourcing, climate change, water and waste. Oriflame has reaffirmed its social mission, covering community investment and philanthropic activities.