Berkshire’s ACI Group on track to boost profits by £2m with new digital strategy
ACI Group, a Berkshire-based distributor of ingredients, products and raw materials to the food, pharma, chemical and road building industries, is eyeing major growth after investing in its digital strategy.
CEO Karsten Smet had a new website built for the company and drew up a revised social media strategy after finishing the 12-week government-backed Help to Grow: Management course in 2022.
Since then, the business has seen 800 per cent higher engagement throughout its digital platforms and is set to boost turnover from £15 million to £20 million in 2024.
The next step will be to implement a new online platform, helping ACI Group improve its sustainability across the supply chain by rewarding customers with preferential pricing for choosing more sustainable methods of distribution.
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Karsten said: “Supply chains have been under a huge amount of strain over the last two years due to rising input costs and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
“We’re now in the golden quarter and many businesses are experiencing increased demand for their goods and services, which is putting even more strain on the system.
“At ACI Group, we’re actively helping our customers to navigate the movement of goods in the most cost-effective and sustainable way possible through better use of technology.”
The new digital strategy follows the group’s acquisition of Yorkshire-based software firm Oomph Works in December 2022 – also informed by Karsten’s participation in the Help to Grow: Management course.
“The course allowed me to identify where there were opportunities to make changes and how we could implement these processes to become more resilient and, in turn, enable our customers to build resilience”, he said.
“Our digital capabilities and sustainability focus are now key differentiators for ACI Group and are providing an opportunity for us to grow and enhance our market proposition.”
Michael Hayman MBE, chair of Small Business Charter, added: “In just 12 months, Karsten has begun to capitalise on the huge potential of digital transformation for ACI Group.
“The strategy is clearly paying off with new business opportunities and added value services for existing customers.
“The Help to Grow: Management Course has been designed to support leaders like Karsten to develop innovative and resilient businesses, as well as the confidence to lead change.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Karsten and his team continue to differentiate their customer experience through investment in technology.”
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