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Food and beverage distribution (FMCG) · Multi-entity Australian FMCG group
Driving Operational Efficiency and Cash Flow Improvement in an Australian FMCG Group
Published · Updated
- 30%
- DSO improvement
- 60%
- Less manual processing
- 50-65%
- Fewer inbound enquiries
The challenge
- New account applications were processed manually and inconsistently, placing heavy pressure on administrative teams.
- Direct debit and payment details for multiple stores and sites were managed on paper, increasing errors and lost documents.
- Approved accounts were re-keyed into the ERP by hand, delaying order processing and deliveries.
- High volumes of calls, emails and voicemails for copy invoices, payment changes and card failures left the AR team reactive rather than focused on cash.
- Customers experienced delays, repeated information requests and lost paperwork.
What Kuhlekt delivered
- Digital credit applications with automated workflows and approval routing.
- Direct debit and card management integrated with the payment processor, removing physical forms.
- Automated payment scheduling, including proactive handling of card expiry and failed payments.
- Customer self-service portal for invoices, statements, payment details, payment plans and requests.
- API-driven ERP integration so approved accounts are created accurately and immediately.
Outcomes
- Inbound enquiries reduced by approximately 50-65% across phone, email and internal requests.
- Manual processing reduced by approximately 60%, freeing administrative and AR capacity.
- DSO improved by approximately 30% through faster onboarding, proactive communication and automated collections.
- Faster, more reliable client onboarding and account activation.
- Improved payment reliability through proactive card expiry and direct debit management.
- Lower operating cost through fewer exceptions and controlled headcount growth.
Before and after
| Area | Before Kuhlekt | After Kuhlekt |
|---|---|---|
| Client onboarding | Semi-automated, paper-based approvals | Fully digital, automated workflows |
| Credit applications | Manual review and follow-up | Structured digital submission with automation |
| Direct debit setup | Physical forms, manual processing | Integrated digital authorisation |
| Payment scheduling | Manual requests and updates | Self-service scheduling and management |
| Card expiry and failures | Reactive, post-failure handling | Proactive notifications and management |
| Client enquiries | High call and email volumes | Self-service portal reduces inbound traffic |
| ERP account creation | Manual data entry with delays | Automated API-driven creation |
| AR focus | Reactive processing | Proactive DSO and cash optimisation |
Key takeaway
Technology alone did not deliver the result. A fit-for-purpose platform, an engaged delivery team and a customer that treated automation as a strategic opportunity rather than a system swap produced the sustained gains.
Customer perspective
Independent review from a Kuhlekt customer in the same sector, published on Capterra.
“Kuhlekt is a versatile, results driven Collections Platform designed with Account Receivable users in mind, being easy to learn and navigate. The functionality is comprehensive, covering all AR processes from calls to action, dunning, provisioning, customer communication, dispute management and more. We recently implemented Kuhlekt for our growing company and we could not be happier with the outcome.”
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