LDE is the UK subsidiary of an overseas parent, established over 100 years, from 2002-2005 it showed a 10% year on year decline in sales and an increasingly negative position.

Supplying branded and own label consumables to the hotel and catering industry the business had suffered from a high degree of staff churn and poor leadership from three different management teams in as many years.

Copernicus were engaged in early 2006 to undertake a full strategic review of the business and to produce a robust EMEA development plan.

The whole process brought about changes in key personnel, a total buy-in from the newly formed team, new routes to market and systems that supported the strategy and enabling a new level of customer experience. 2007 results illustrated a 15% increase in sales, 7% increase in GP% and a 4% reduction in fixed costs.

First quarter results for 2008 see the company return to profitability with continued growth forecast for the remainder of the year.

Copernicus continue to act as corporate strategist for the company and have now been engaged to conduct a similar exercise for a group subsidiary operating in Scandinavia.