REAL ESTATE STUDY
Client: International Manufacturing Company
Estimated long term costs of ownership and operation were developed, comparing five major metropolitan areas in different regions of the US. Analysis included:

• Land and construction costs
• Real Estate and personal property taxes
• Local assessed / appraised value ratios
• Lease costs (triple net and full service / gross)
• Tenant improvement allowances
• Employment and tax incentives
• Utilities rates and incentives
• Historical labor costs (facilities and general workforce)

GA found differentials of nearly 50%, representing potential 10 year savings of over $40 Million.

FACILITIES BENCHMARKING
Client: U.S. Semiconductor Company
Detailed cost comparisons and Key Performance Indicators were applied in each area, to assess the relative value of performance versus costs. Workshops were held with staffing groups to evaluate internal and external cost differentials, and review "best practices" to improve performance in each function.  Scope included:

• Maintenance & Operations
• Custodial
• Site Costs & Utilities
• Space Planning
• Move Management
• Project Management
• Reprographics
• Security
• Shuttles
• Food Service
• Fitness Centers
• Retail Services

Estimated savings, based on identified cost gaps, exceed $2 Million per year.

MOVE MANAGEMENT STUDY
Client: U.S. Computer Components Company
GA was asked to evaluate overall process costs and effectiveness, to assist the client in major upcoming contract decisions.  GA compared detailed cost breakdowns, cycle times and similar service quality metrics with peer companies and facilities in its own database.  GA also reviewed the organization's processes, technologies and systems, and assisted with RFP development.
Projected annual savings are estimated at $1.22 Million.

FACILITIES BENCHMARKING
Client: U.S. Computer Manufacturer
Due to a large acquisition, this firm manages facilities in several Midwest and West Coast locations.  Guerin Associates worked with individuals in these locations to coordinate data collection, and screen information for valid comparisons.  The project scope included:

• Maintenance & Operations
• Custodial
• Site Costs & Utilities
• Space Planning
• Move Management
• Project Management
• Mail & Express Mail
• Reprographics
• Conf. Rm. Mgt.
• Security
• Food Service
• Fitness Centers
• Retail Services

Estimated potential savings, based on identified cost gaps, equal nearly $3 Million per year.

SPACE MANAGEMENT
Client: U. S. Software Company
This company had moved from high-growth to a cost-saving mode, and was interested in evaluating two very different approaches it had adopted to internal space planning.  GA reviewed and compared space utilization results by building and by floor.  Findings indicated that results of the enhanced floor plan were not as dramatic as expected.  Alternative potential improvements were identified in workspace design and support space.
Potential equivalent savings from these improvements is conservatively estimated at over $3.5 Million (minus the cost of workplace changes).

FACILITIES BENCHMARKING
Client: U.S. Computer Manufacturer
This project had a very comprehensive functional scope, plus Fleet Management. Total facility size was approximately 850,000 SF, with several additional buildings in planning.  The client improved space utilization in one new building alone by almost 10%, deferring future construction and increasing "internal rent" (costs charged to internal users) by $690,000 per year.

FACILITIES BENCHMARKING
Client: U.S. Pharmaceuticals Company
The client was interested in obtaining current, comprehensive benchmarks for management of a major new facility. Initial occupancy is 1,400, with an ultimate population of approximately 5,000.  Guerin Associates approached 100 peer companies, ultimately working closely with twenty-five participants from twenty-two leading companies to evaluate management methods, costs and performance.  Participants were evaluated and ranked in fourteen separate categories, including Maintenance & Operations, Custodial, Space Planning, Security, Site Services, etc.
Results, analysis and recommendations were presented in a detailed, comprehensive report addressing costs, performance levels and customer management.

SPACE UTILIZATION
Client: U.S. Pharmaceuticals Company
A major pharmaceuticals company needed to dramatically reduce operating costs for its New Jersey headquarters and related area facilities.  Among its concerns were the amount of office space, the costs of satisfying user requirements, and the capital investment entailed in new facilities.  Office demands were rising, and rental space was unavailable in sufficient quantities.
Based on this analysis of existing capacities, the client was able to confirm plans to delay over $50 Million in new construction.

CAPITAL PROJECT PROCESS REDESIGN
Client: International Consumer Products Company
The client wished to accelerate implementation of capital projects totaling $140+ million annually by reducing approval times.  An initial survey was conducted to assess cycle times and approval processes, and identify major reasons for delays, including both business and cultural issues.  The existing process was documented, from local projects up to those requiring board approval.
The number of separate process steps was reduced by approximately twenty-five percent.

CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT STUDY
Client: U.S. Food Service Company
Interviews were conducted with nineteen representatives for twelve key customer accounts.  The objective was to assess customer management in areas such as Quality, Customer Service, Product Innovation and Pricing.  Customer participants included Marketing, R & D, Purchasing and Operations executives.  Findings were presented to the client's executive committee including the company president, and illustrated comparisons with competitor ratings.  Recommendations for improved product development and marketing were also incorporated.

FLEET MANAGEMENT BENCHMARKING STUDY
Client: U.S. Consumer Products Company
This project involved examination of vehicle acquisitions and management totaling tens of millions of dollars annually.  The major areas of focus were motor company and fleet discounts, fixed and operating costs, vehicle selection and features, staffing, vendor and disposal issues.

Twelve companies participated in the study, with over 40,000 vehicles.  Areas examined include regional consolidations, preventive maintenance, warranty recovery and technologies supporting acquisition, ordering, repair, billing, etc.

Improvement opportunities were identified in motor company incentives, leasing holdbacks, national contracts and model consolidation. Potential 3-year savings exceed $300 Thousand.

EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION SYSTEM BENCHMARKING STUDY
Client: U.S. Consumer Products Company
The client wished to improve an existing employee suggestion system, and involve more line manufacturing workers.  Earlier internal efforts had not been successful, and a streamlined process was sought to optimize procedures, staffing, incentives and results.

Secondary research led to a candidate list of over 100 companies.  Eleven companies ultimately participated.  Measures compared included value per improvement, employee participation rates and processing cycle times.  Performance and gap analysis led to practice recommendations for staffing, team composition, financial incentives and recognition methods.

The study revealed significant differences in areas such as productivity, document cycle times, frequency of revisions, levels of automation, staffing profiles and linkages to operating companies.  Recommendations were provided regarding management structure, staffing, performance measurement, document tracking and electronic systems.

QUALITY ADMINISTRATION BENCHMARKING STUDY
Client: U.S. Foods Manufacturer
Eleven manufacturers from a number of different industries participated in this study of specification management.  Focus areas included new product development, resource deployment and document management systems.

MANUFACTURING BENCHMARKING STUDY
Client: International Consumer Products Company
Manufacturing results were compared for up to 40 plants worldwide over a two year period.
Over $5 Million in waste reduction and improved productivity was achieved within the first year.
Long term savings are estimated at over $20 Million.