Seamless Acquisition Integration
The Challenge:
Disconnected operations post-acquisition
As part of a strategic growth initiative, a retail group acquired a specialist vehicle paint shop to expand service offerings and internalise key operations.
However, the business had no acquisition integration plan.
Financial systems were incompatible, reporting lines were unclear, and operational inefficiencies risked undermining the benefits of the purchase.
The Approach:
Leading financial alignment and integration planning
I was tasked with leading the financial and operational integration.
I began by conducting thorough financial due diligence and aligning the acquired business's accounts with the parent company’s reporting structure.
I redesigned workflows to merge operational functions while preserving the paint shop’s core capabilities.
A phased integration plan was created, focusing on financial transparency, staff alignment, and supplier continuity.
Key initiatives included:
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Harmonising accounting systems and standardising nominal codes across both entities.
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Mapping cost centres and establishing consolidated reporting dashboards.
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Reviewing supplier contracts and renegotiating terms to secure group-wide cost savings.
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Embedding inventory controls and linking job costing to the wider finance system.
The Result:
Operational continuity and cost savings from consolidation
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The acquisition was successfully integrated without disrupting service delivery or financial reporting cycles.
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Group-wide cost savings of approximately £50,000 were achieved through procurement consolidation and in house service offering.
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Internalised paint operations improved turnaround time and gave the group full control over a critical cost centre.
