Background
Established in 1904 John Parker & Son Limited is the largest independent steel stockholder in the south of England, with head offices based in Canterbury, Kent, and depots at Andover, Gatwick, and Waterbeach near Cambridge.

In addition to the primary steel stockholding capability the company operates an equipment hire company and metal preparation functions. The company is amongst the most successful stockholders in the country and leading implementers of computer and telephone technology.

Parkers is a family business and the present family members felt that a more structured approach to managing the strategy would engage the senior team more and make the business more successful.

Approach
Following a two-day course on strategic management, run by AHC on behalf of the National Association of Steel Stockholders, AHC was invited to conduct up to four workshops held over two days with the management team to develop the Company’s three-year strategy. AHC used its strategy framework to tailor both the workshop agendas and the tools to be used, enabling facilitation of the team’s thinking and control of the end deliverables within the required timescale.

Benefits
All the management team feel more engaged in the process and have greater ownership of their part of the strategy, understanding both the need for teamwork and that not one of them can deliver any part of the strategy on their own. As a result Parkers has continued to grow and profitability consistently outstrips the best in the industry.

Testimonial
"We were very satisfied with the approach and implementation of the strategic planning process and went on to achieve all of the objectives laid out in the three year plan."
Guy Parker, Managing Director, John Parker & Son Ltd.