Case Study: The Evolution Of Progress

The Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), located in Somers, NY, manufactures, sells, and distributes the Pepsi-Cola brand of beverages to approximately 55% of the United States market. With customers ranging from large retail chains with thousands of locations to smaller independent stores and restaurants, Pepsi Bottling Group makes 60,000 deliveries a day. Pepsi Bottling Group currently processes 15 million invoices annually - an average of more than 60,000 invoices a day.

PBG has consistently focused on process improvement. "As an organization we spend a great deal of time asking ourselves how we can move forward - do our work smarter," shares Brian Monroe, PBG's Support Services Senior Group Manager. By analyzing their payment processes and exploring available technology, PBG realized they could probably shorten the time required to apply cash payments while actually reducing per-payment and labor costs. With $16 billion a year in remittances there was a lot of money and time to be saved.

Looking back over 15 years of process improvements and savings, PBG has clearly mapped their progress and a plan for the future. "It's good to know where you are because it's all about continuing to do better," shares Monroe. What PBG has achieved is a testament to their organization's focus on "taking the work out of the work" and provides insight into successful business practices.