VEDOC Case Study

Industry: Powder Coatings
Headquarters: Brakpan, South Africa
ERP System: [Insert if known]
Modules Implemented: Inventory Optimization, Demand Forecasting, Replenishment Planning

Company Overview

VEDOC Powder Coatings is a leading manufacturer of powder coating solutions in Southern Africa, offering a wide range of over 1,000 textures and colours. Established in 1985 as part of the Ferro Group, VEDOC stands for Versatile Economical Durable Organic Coatings. The company is known for delivering reliable, high-quality coatings that meet strict industry and client-specific standards.

The Challenge

VEDOC, a key player in the powder coatings industry and part of the Ferro Group under Bud Group, faced growing operational pressures in a competitive and volatile market:

• Long and inconsistent lead times averaging 17 days

• Excess inventory of finished goods leading to high carrying costs

• Inconsistent product availability, causing service disruptions

• Market pressure as competitors began shutting down operations

VEDOC needed to streamline its supply chain, reduce working capital, and improve service levels — all without compromising on quality or product variety.

The Solution

By partnering with IncrementalProfit and implementing OneBeat’s AI-powered inventory and replenishment system, VEDOC gained real-time visibility and control across its supply chain.

Key interventions included:

• Historical demand analysis to identify fast- and slow-moving SKUs

• Dynamic buffer levels per product and location, continuously updated

• Replenishment automation, generating daily recommended order quantities

• Production alignment to market demand, reducing overproduction

The Results

Within just months of implementation, VEDOC achieved:

✅ 70% reduction in lead times (from 17 days to just 5)
✅ 98% product availability across the entire supply chain
✅ 20% reduction in finished goods inventory, freeing up cash
✅ Year-on-year sales growth, even while competitors exited the market
✅ Improved Return on Sales and Return on Capital Employed

Why This Case Matters

This case proves that operational excellence is a growth driver. By focusing on inventory intelligence and automation, VEDOC improved service levels, cut costs, and stayed ahead while the competition fell behind.