Case Study: Reducing Consumables Spend

Consumables programs that meet budget and quality expectations

Quick Facts

Marsden Services

Client: Property management company

Marsden Services

Client Industry: Multitenant facility services

Marsden Services

Location: Ohio

Marsden Services

Client Since: 2019

Marsden Services

Services: Janitorial

The Problem

A multitenant facility in Ohio was struggling with a steady increase in the cost of consumables. The increases continued year after year, but the quality of the products did not correspondingly increase. The consumables were not only expensive, but the current vendor could not manage them properly. The supply stock was not procured proactively – which led to additional costs – and the dispensers frequently ran out of paper supplies throughout the day. The consumables also were not correctly stored in the janitorial closet but were instead left in individual suites on top of dispensers or in cases on the floor. This both looked unprofessional and created sanitation concerns. Tenants were frequently complaining, and the property managers were dissatisfied overall. After their price for consumables increased by 35% in 2018, the property management group decided to find a new vendor who could provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution.

The Solution

The property management group hired Marsden in 2019 based on our professional reputation and national partnerships with supply vendors. Marsden analyzed the situation to understand usage and client needs and then worked with our national supply vendors to devise a plan to control costs and still provide value to the facility. Our goals were to reduce the cost of consumables; improve sanitary practices with consumables; reduce/eliminate complaints from tenants and visitors; and ensure client satisfaction. We identified several solutions to eliminate wasted product and realize a cost savings. We standardized the dispensers and products, which streamlined the inventory process and provided a cohesive aesthetic. We also matched dispenser size to volume of usage, which meant that a single dispenser could adequately supply paper towels through several business days, reducing the amount of time spent changing product. We also switched from folded towels to rolled towels in the dispensers, which reduced the amount of product being used. This required new dispensers throughout the facility, and we coordinated with our supplier to replace the dispensers at no cost to the client.

The Outcomes

Marsden eliminated waste and realized cost savings for the property management group. Our client was glad about the cost savings, aesthetic improvement, hygienic practices, and elimination of tenant and visitor complaints. And because of the cost savings, we were able to upgrade their consumables products. The client is now paying less money for a superior product compared to their previous consumables spend.

Results

We made several changes and upgrades and found various areas where cost savings could be actualized. We improved the efficiency of use of consumables with these upgrades and kept quality. The measurable results obtained are as follows:

Marsden Services

Marsden reduced the amount of paper product used by 24.2% by switching from folded towels to rolled towels

Marsden Services

We installed metered dispensers, which dispense 9” with a 3-second delay, which saved an additional 25-30% in usage

Marsden Services

We reduced the inventory of towels used from 5 varieties to 2 varieties by installing new dispensers in all areas of the facility. This, in turn, led to streamlining the ordering and stocking process.

Marsden Services

We eliminated complaints relating to consumables after installing the new dispensers