Strategy Project: Woodlands Group

Introduction:

The Woodlands Group consists of three semi-autonomous companies which operate together to produce, cover and sell processed wooden boards. The wooden boards are mainly used to manufacture household and business furniture, such as kitchen cupboards and desks. Last year the group, which had previously been owned and run by John Albion, fell into financial difficulties. It was bought by Tyzacks Ltd. who have appointed a new managing director, Harry Symons. Harry is your client.

Harry has been in the job for six months and has recently held a meeting with the business managers of the three firms – Albion Mill (John Albion), Bettafinish (Tony Thompson) and Surface Stockists (Daisy Elworthy). None of the managers agree with each other as to the best way forward for the group and each has their own management style. Each firm has made a specific request for the future – Albion Mill and Bettafinish want new light gauge machines and Surface Stockists wants a new warehouse.

At present Harry wants to get a good overall feel for what the group is doing and what a good strategy might be. Harry has arranged for each of the three managers to produce a summary report, which are included in this document. He has asked you to perform a strategy project for the Woodlands Group and write a report.

In terms of the focal business unit, Harry would like you to look at the Woodlands Group as a whole, rather than as three separate business units.

NOTE: This is a fictitious case.

However, it is based upon a real

consulting project undertaken in

the UK.