Acorn Industrial Components
Smarter Logistics Solutions for Growing Businesses

Acorn Industrial Components has built a reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation over four decades. In that time, it has become a trusted supply chain partner for OEM procurement and logistics services to some of the world’s leading manufacturers. Acorn is committed to excellence, with a passion to be at the forefront of the sector for expertise and technology that is unwavering.

Especially after the supply chain disruptions caused by Brexit and the pandemic, the lead times for material procurement have increased. As manufacturers seek alternative sourcing strategies from regions like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Eastern Europe, online shopping has surged in the UK, resulting in increased demand for warehousing. This has had a knock-on effect to the OEM and B2B sectors. Warehouse costs have risen over 50 percent, negatively impacting manufacturers’ profitability and skewing the cost of under-optimised warehousing. Acorn has capitalised on this need by helping manufacturers consolidate and revamp their warehousing, storage, and inventory systems. It starts with expert personnel augmented by specialised software and AI algorithms to manage inventory and build a better supply chain for clients. From QR codes to smartphone apps and AI bots, it optimises inventory management and delivery, resulting in efficient and prompt fulfilment of customer orders.

Over the years, Acorn has leveraged various cutting-edge technologies into its workflow, but the most significant recent shift is in fusing AI technology into operations. The combination of expertly trained personnel (another sector wide shortage problem!) with enhanced AI-powered workflow increases efficiency for Acorn and its clients in a business environment where lead times are expanding and buffer stock is needed for more volatile supply and demand.

AI is being used to regularly upgrade an inventory management system that Acorn’s clients already rate highly. AI bots are being used to predict inventory requirements and accordingly build lead times. They provide additional insights into inventory that allow Acorn high levels of inventory control, resulting in near zero defects and failures in delivery. Currently, it maintains a delivery rate over 95 to 96 percent on time, with a failure rate of less than 0.01 percent.

Marketplace success can be attributed to Acorn’s growing reputation for pairing extensive experience, with insightful warehouse consultation, and supply chain upgrades. Humans are an essential part of the process, and the firm complements their capabilities with advanced technologies, which translates to greater accuracy and efficiency. By spearheading business development through the fusion of human intelligence and AI, Acorn has become more competitive and coherent, leading to a 50 percent growth in its business over the past two years.

“We only deal with OEM manufacturing companies, and we prioritise maintaining strong relationships with them, collaborating to get production and inventory data insights that allow us to reengineer and upgrade their supply chain processes,” says Chris Till, managing director of Acorn Industrial Components.

These competencies were demonstrated when a client struggling increase production due to a surge in orders and couldn’t effectively manage all its suppliers. The client was only achieving low 80 percent satisfaction due to this bottleneck. Acorn’s experts took over, sourcing and managing procurement of all required materials and products. This enabled a more agile supply chain, with the client increasing output by 10 percent, with an increased success rate in the mid-90 percent for order fulfilment. Acorn’s specialised procurement services allowed them to focus on their manufacturing expertise and invest in infrastructure while reducing their inventory, footprint, and stock holding costs.

With a daily presence and good working relationship with the client, Acorn controls inventory more effectively and now maintains a delivery performance rate of 98 percent. The client’s inability to meet orders is no longer due to supplier issues but internal parameters, which Acorn is continuing to help alleviate from their business.

Acorn has an effective procurement network and supplier network that stretches the globe — across China, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Europe, and the U.S. It prioritises a customer-oriented philosophy with an investment in highly trained, experienced professionals, that actively listen to and fulfil unique client requirements. Its focus is now on providing value and manufacturing efficiency in the UK market through innovative solutions that augment OEM manufacturer supply chains through value-added logistics services such as 3PL, VMI, and assembly. Whether it is customised portals, vending machine solutions, handheld scanners, QR codes or AI bots, Acorn utilises the best, most appropriate technology to help power client production lines, and build better products.