Centralized Procurement Strategy Improves Efficiency | CPG
11/5/2026
- Procurement centralization: Spirits distributor required unified sourcing and standard pricing across decentralized market facilities.
- Tailored ordering schedule: RRD audited location-specific usage, standardizing order sheets and scheduling gang runs to minimize production costs.
- Enterprise cost savings: The solution achieved uniform national pricing, specialized freight discounts, and expanded ongoing procurement into POS and packaging supplies.
RRD organizes and streamlines leading spirits distributor’s ordering process, standardizing pricing on essential VersaTac™ labels and supplies
CHALLENGE
A national wine and spirits distributor’s facilities, serving nearly 20 markets around the country, had become too decentralized with their buying and ordering. The facilities were procuring labels and other products from disparate sources, paying various prices for a broad spectrum of quality.
The facilities utilized labels for full and partial cases of liquor shipped to various retail outlets. In addition, they purchased film ribbons for thermal transfer printing of those labels. The distributor sought a single supplier for quality labels and ribbons — one providing uniform pricing and that they could leverage across all locations.
SOLUTION
RRD, which had an existing relationship with the distributor’s procurement services provider, was brought on to serve as their single-source supplier. The procurement provider was well aware of RRD’s distribution network, stock label offerings, and working knowledge of the industry.
The initial step was to identify the labels and other products each facility was currently purchasing and utilizing. RRD gathered information on the facilities’ annual usage per product, custom production requirements, stock vs. non-stock status, minimum order quantities, and other variables.
Once data had been gathered from all the various facilities, a presentation letter emailed to each location introduced RRD as their new labels provider. The letter explained how the program worked, ensured the identified products were correct for the facility, and asked if additional or replacement items were needed.
An order sheet specific to each facility was provided, enabling them to order stock and custom VersaTac™ thermal transfer labels in the requisite sizes and colors. In addition, RRD built a schedule indicating the optimal time for the distributor to place orders. By meeting specific target order dates, they’re able to have their labels gang-run and reduce costs.
RESULTS
RRD enabled the spirits distributor to centralize their buying strategy, making their operations more efficient. In addition, they ensured that each facility could quickly obtain the specific labels and other products they required. Results included:
- RRD provided uniform pricing for labels, ribbons, and other products that the distributor could leverage across all of their locations
- Following the program’s start, all of the distributor’s locations also added thermal POS receipt roll paper to their regular ordering roster
- RRD initiated specialized freight pricing to further reduce costs
- The program has prompted the distributor to realize they had additional product gaps to fill, including displays, signage, and packaging