What clients have said
A selection of accounts from clients who have worked with Thep Advisors on supply chain matters.
← Back to HomeSelected testimonials
We brought Thep Advisors in ahead of a decision about our CLMV sourcing arrangements. The market mapping they produced gave us a clearer picture of the supplier landscape than anything we had managed internally. The recommendation document has been referenced in procurement meetings several times since.
The advisory retainer arrangement suited our situation well. We had ongoing supply chain questions arising through the year — some straightforward, some less so — and having a counterpart who was already familiar with our operations made those conversations more useful. The written summaries after each session were particularly helpful for keeping the broader team aligned.
We used the diagnostic as a first step — we were not certain how deep the issues were, and the bounded nature of the engagement suited that uncertainty. The memorandum identified two supplier relationships that deserved closer attention, which was not something we had anticipated. Worth the time and the fee.
What I found most useful was that the team conducted the work alongside us rather than producing an external report. Our procurement staff were involved throughout the sourcing review, which meant the findings reflected actual conditions we recognised — and the team left with a stronger understanding of how to approach similar reviews themselves.
The independence of the advice matters in this context. We had been speaking with logistics providers who were not neutral, and the analysis from Thep Advisors was a useful corrective. The approach is measured — they do not oversell what they can determine — which we found appropriate given the complexity of the situation.
Six months into the advisory retainer, I would say the most valuable aspect has been having a counterpart who is already familiar with our operations when a specific question comes up. The ad-hoc support between sessions is useful — we do not have to re-explain context each time. The written correspondence between sessions also helps us keep track of where matters stand.
Engagement details
Three examples of how engagements have been structured and what they addressed. Client and sector details have been generalised.
Sourcing review for a Thai food processing manufacturer
The company's packaging input costs had been rising over eighteen months. The procurement team believed there were alternative suppliers available in the region but lacked the time and market knowledge to evaluate them systematically.
Thep Advisors mapped the packaging supply market across Thailand and two neighbouring countries, conducted direct conversations with eight potential suppliers, and produced a comparative cost and risk analysis. The engagement was conducted jointly with the client's procurement team over seven weeks.
The recommendation document identified two suppliers that may offer more competitive terms and reduced single-source dependency. The client's team carried forward the supplier transition plan independently after the engagement closed.
Diagnostic for a Bangkok-based trading company ahead of regional expansion
Before committing to a regional expansion, the company wanted an outside assessment of whether their existing supply chain arrangements were adequate for an increased volume and more complex logistics situation.
A three-week diagnostic engagement covering existing supplier relationships, inventory positioning, and current freight arrangements. Included site visits to the company's main warehouse and a key supplier location.
The memorandum identified several arrangements that would likely create friction at higher volumes, and two areas where strengthening supplier terms before expansion could reduce risk. The client used the memorandum to support a board-level discussion on expansion readiness.
Six-month advisory retainer for a mid-sized distributor
The distribution company's supply chain director was managing a range of ongoing supplier and logistics matters — some routine, some that required more considered external input. The team lacked a structured outside counterpart.
A six-month advisory retainer with two scheduled sessions per month, written correspondence between sessions, and ad-hoc availability for specific questions. Covered supplier negotiation positioning, a cross-border logistics issue, and a category sourcing question.
The supply chain director described the arrangement as useful for having a consistently available sounding board on matters that did not warrant a full engagement but benefited from structured outside input. The company renewed for a further six months.
Reach Thep Advisors
Would you like to discuss your supply chain situation?
An introductory call can help clarify whether an engagement would be a reasonable fit. It carries no commitment.
Get in Touch