Hagemeyer learns to "sing from one hymn sheet

Citation

(2003), "Hagemeyer learns to "sing from one hymn sheet", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 35 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2003.03735bab.003

Hagemeyer learns to "sing from one hymn sheet"

Hagemeyer learns to "sing from one hymn sheet"

Training for Advancement (TFA) has helped to bring together the major subsidiaries of global electrical distributor Hagemeyer NV to ensure that they all work to a single set of practices.

TFA designed a programme to enable Holland-based Hagemeyer's principal operating companies to share common aims and work to one vision using a single operating system called Movex. A recent pilot in the UK and Eire has already seen the first successful transition.

Louise Boyling, TFA project manager, said: "Hagemeyer is currently engaged in a wide-ranging change programme, mainly aimed at re-engineering the business in order to work to one set of practices. One of the main vehicles for achieving this vision was to bring Hagemeyer's principal operating companies – Newey and Eyre, WF Electrical, Parker Merchanting and Eastern Electrical – together. The Movex enterprise application and the PkMS (pick-ticket warehouse-management system) were chosen by Hagemeyer to help achieve this".

TFA already provided non-systems and information-technology training for the UK operating companies in areas such as financial and commercial awareness, customer-relationship management and sales skills. The company was asked to build on its extensive knowledge of the business and support the system implementation, providing creative, blended training for all areas of the business – the branch network, shared service centre, purchasing and inventory management and distribution and logistics.

Initially, TFA consultants spent a number of weeks in the Hagemeyer businesses and with systems provider Intentia, to get to know the system and how it would be used on the shop floor.

The next stage was to plan the training that would be required, and ensure its effective delivery. Many Hagemeyer employees were proficient in the existing systems, but they were based on "green screen". The Movex and PkMS systems were Windows-based, and this provided the first challenge.

TFA, working with Hagemeyer, co-ordinated the provision of Windows and mouse training using a structured CD-ROM learning package. This ensured that Hagemeyer got value for money when the main workshops were run, as all colleagues attending would be able to use a Windows interface, use a mouse and navigate their way around Windows-based packages, such as Word.

Following this, TFA designed around 20 Movex training modules to be delivered to the branch network over the rollout period. These included basic Movex navigation, order entry, raising quotations, receiving goods in, reviewing customer orders and purchase orders, stock-taking, customer returns, sales-order cancellation and stock adjustments.

Working with Hagemeyer and Intentia, TFA also supported the creation of a dummy training system to enable end-user training to take place. Hagemeyer colleagues were then trained to deliver the training in up to 35 centres.

The training was initially rolled out in Eastern Electrical branches in Ireland in October 2001 and was successful. Following this, the training modules were adapted to reflect the products and operating methods of Parker Merchanting, which "went live" with the new system in February 2002. The largest single operating business, Hagemeyer Electrical (formerly Newey and Eyre) began its training in April.

Separate Movex training packages have also been developed for the shared service centre and purchasing and inventory-management teams.

TFA has also created a suite of training materials to support the implementation of the PkMS system into a new distribution centre. These training materials will be used in three distribution centres around the UK, once the rollout has been completed.

Phil Tipton, managing director, explained: "With such a massive global and UK distribution business, disruption of any kind would harm the organisation. The first implementation within Eastern Electrical had a smooth transition on to the new system, without significant disruption to the business or its profitability. Training has now been completed for the Parker Merchanting implementation of Movex and we are currently supporting the training rollout for Newey and Eyre with 200 branches and 2,000 colleagues".

TFA has handed over much of the delivery to the in-house trainers, but continues to play a key role in the programme. Its offices in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, are responsible for scheduling all the courses, and printing and sending out all relevant material to support the training.

The training materials are being used in Australia and Spain and there are plans to use them in all Hagemeyer NV companies around the world, once translation into the local languages has taken place.