This case set explains the customs-broker rationalization program for European operations of the German multinational conglomerate Chembi Global (Chembi) since 2015. The company is a leading manufacturer of beauty care and laundry & home care products. Case A illustrates how the company’s Global Customs Management and Export Control project team (Compliance team) in Amsterdam designed and launched the program, and invited customs-brokerage firm candidates for a final selection in Summer 2016. The broker choice triggers students to develop the appropriate evaluation criterion. Case B describes how John van Doorn, who joined the company as the new team leader in October 2016, inherited the program design and broker choice of his predecessor. Facing the elementary challenge of the EDI connections, Van Doorn had to quickly present to his management superiors how he would roll out the program in the 30 European countries. The examination of Chembi’s roll-out stimulates students to consider various implementation issues and options.
Based on field research; 8 pages. Follow the 'handle' link to access the Case Study on RePub. For EUR staff members: the Teaching Note is available on request, you can contact us at rsm.nl/cdc/contact/ For external users: follow the link to purchase the Case Study and the Teaching Note.
1. To understand the advantages and disadvantages of customs-broker rationalization 2. To comprehend the challenges of optimizing the customs-broker configuration in the complex environment in Europe due to its diverse Custom Authorities and service providers 3. To appreciate the importance of IT to the success of such strategic Supply Chain initiative, and the need of thorough consideration of the IT aspect from the very beginning of the program design 4. To develop the evaluation criteria for choosing customs-brokers 5. To anticipate the difficulties of rolling out the customs-broker rationalization program, especially in terms of the digitalization of customs declaration and the standardization of operating procedures
