Our working with clients

Our team has worked successfully with many clients – and some case study examples are shown below.

The three main areas in which we have worked extensively are:

Consumer and Industrial Markets
Information, Communications and Technology
Government and Infrastructure

More details for each area are shown in the graphic below, and further down are some case studies to give some more details of what the Heston Lowe team have been doing.

More details of some of our work with clients is shown below.

Software development company

Heston Lowe is currently working with a software company that has created a unique technology approach and process for better integrating information from providers and users. We are carrying out an evaluation of the potential market opportunities using our offshore market research team and working with the client to develop a route-to-market to generate revenue and profit.

GlaxoSmithKline

Simon Pickford is working with this major healthcare company on a project for the 2012 Olympics. He is project managing with the GSK team and also in conjunction with Professor David Cowan of Kings College London Drugs Control Centre.

Regional UK Retailer

The company had just under 100 outlets and was under increasing pressure from the leading supermarkets but with a planned policy of competing on a like-for-like basis. Our review of the market and the company’s competences identified an option for a different formatting of the retail structures. By adopting this, the company increased market share and profitability, and continues to do so.

European Commission

For the EC we completed a detailed benchmarking survey of more than 50 shipbuilders across the globe and identified the successful business models for the different types of companies. Using this analysis, we then developed an overall strategy for the European industry to improve its competitiveness and profitability which was adopted by both the EC and the industry association as the target model.

London Borough Council

We worked with the London Borough of Islington and their social housing provider, Homes for Islington, to deliver a £4.3 million energy efficiency project. Heston Lowe project managed the programme, holding responsibility for all aspects including programme design, contractor management and communications. When completed the programme delivered savings of £770,000 to council residents and saved approximately 4,100 tonnes of CO2.

UK Pump Manufacturer

This sector leading SME domestic pump manufacturer was looking to expand its markets and identify new opportunities relevant to its capabilities. We worked with the Chief Executive and the Board to identify and assess the market options and develop a strategic plan and route map for the company to move forward.

European Division - Japanese car manufacturer

For this company, we developed a long term view of the probable scenarios for the development of the automotive industry, and assessed their current long term strategies against the scenarios. This included identifying the 10 key drivers of consumer demand and the implications on distributors, OEMs and financial companies together with an assessment of the changes that would be needed for the company supply chain to meet market needs for the next 15 years.

Regional Development Agency

This project involved the development of the support strategy for the advanced materials cluster team to encourage SME's to adopt the use of new and innovative materials and technologies to replace the traditional steel and engineering skills in that region. Following agreement of the strategy, the project focus was on the development of the business cases to secure the necessary RDA and European funding to enable specific projects to be launched. The final piece of our work involved the selection of appropriately skilled organisations and contractors to support the chosen projects.

Luxury Japanese Car Manufacturer

For this leading luxury automotive OEM, we completed a detailed review of the competitive strategies of the three major German competitors over the previous 5 years. This led to an assessment of the value of differing marketing and supply chain approaches of the different companies, and an evaluation of the Japanese company’s policy to date. This provided a robust basis for our development of a revised competitive strategy and supply chain plan for the company.

England & Wales Cricket Board

For the ECB we reviewed their PRFP policy. The PRFP policy relates to the distribution of funding between the ECB, the 18 first class cricket counties, cricket academies and other cricket bodies intended to meet the key ECB strategy target of strengthening the English international match cricket teams. This involved extensive research and analysis with the different parties to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and to identify options for improvements, and to develop a consensus with the parties on the best way forward. The report was "seen as excellent" by the ECB Board and published to all counties and other stakeholders.

DEFRA & MDC

For the Milk Development Council we reviewed the competitiveness of the UK milk industry across the whole value chain from farmer to consumer. This involved consulting with all the industry sections including leading supermarkets and SME food stores, dairy processors, the NFU and farmer co-operatives, together with a detailed review of all other European country industries including their structures, policies and competitive actions. With MDC we then developed a vision plan and route map to improve UK competitiveness and profitability which was accepted by the sector and adopted by DEFRA. The report was published by DEFRA.

Telecommunications Company

With a US satellite telecommunications company we worked to develop the optimal business strategy for entry into leading Asian markets. The programme of work included product/service development, channels to market, network infrastructure, systems design and business planning.

UK Broadcasting Company

For one of our leading broadcasters, we reviewed the potential market development and assessed their internal competencies. On this basis we developed future scenarios and strategy options to support their negotiations with government departments and stakeholders.

National Retailer

A leading UK retailer had three divisions targeting the same end user market with a variety of brand offers, sales systems and service qualities. Working with the divisions, we created an integrated market approach and sales strategy and systems infrastructure which increased sales and profits by over 200% within six months.

Software company

This UK based company had three operating divisions across Europe. It had just taken over a US company which had two divisions - and was totally unsure what would be the best overall structure. It had set up a workshop with the management team - and asked us to facilitate it. The output was a consensus vision from the whole team which was then developed into a full competitive strategy and action plan.

Russian Ministry of Transport

Russia had lost access to bus manufacturing which had been based in Eastern Europe and the World Bank wanted a new industry set up in Russia for better public transport. We worked with the Ministry to review potential suppliers within Russia, developed a strategy to build alliances with global leaders in Germany and Japa, and worked with companies, regional governments and the global players to facilitate agreements.

Luxury power yacht builders

For the Department of Industry, we completed an assessment of the global competitive position of the UK industry, benchmarked UK manufacturers against the leading competitors in Italy and the USA, and with the DTI and UK sector players developed a strategic vision and action plan to take the industry forward. The report was published by the DTI.