In January 2003, West Marine (the nation's largest boating supply retailer) was on the verge of acquiring its largest competitor, BoatU.S. A few years ago, the company has acquired E & B Marine, another boat sales company of similar size. However, the deal would be too much for the organization to have. After nearly doubled the number of stores overnight, West Marine systems and processes, and the level of experience of its management team, unable to withstand the rapid growth. Supply Chain West Marine has been particularly affected: the company could not keep all 72 West Marine and 63 E & B Marine keeps well stocked during the critical peak season. After E & B deal Marine, the company has set a new course, resulting in a deeply experienced management team, initiating significant cultural change, and repair of systems and processes throughout the company. On the eve of another major acquisition, West Marine was proud of all that the company addressed through collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment programs, especially in the supply chain. As the company prepared to boost growth engine again on the way to becoming a $ 1 billion business, the executive team West Marine's interesting that the "soft spots" can be found within its new and improved infrastructure. "Hide
by Hau Lee, Lyn Denend Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business 34 pages. Publication Date: September 27, 2004. Prod. #: GS34-PDF-ENG
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