news RKW invests in digital transformation
RKW ltd, Europe’s leading distributor and manufacturer of small domestic appliances and housewares, has seen rapid growth since its founding in 1989. It is home to over 40 leading brands including Tower Black & Decker, Breville, Hoover, Morphy Richards, Swan and Smeg. As part of its long-term future growth plans, the company has committed to substantial investment into its software and hardware infrastructure. To achieve these goals, the family business identified the need to embark on a Digital Transformation project and approached Microsoft Gold Partner HSO to facilitate this venture spanning across both business systems and processes. Rob Sutton, MD & co-founder of RKW Ltd, said: “The business software
transformation project is one of the most exciting investments we’ve ever put into our business.” “The new Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform implemented by HSO will
elevate our company to another level and help us to keep up with the ambitious plans we have for the future.” Before the full business transformation project, RKW were already utilising apps from the Microsoft suite including Power Platform and Microsoft Teams, but they wanted to grow a solid business foundation that will allow them to use the rest of the Microsoft Platform to their advantage. RKW selected Microsoft Dynamics 365 to help them reduce development times from weeks and months, to just hours, so they can take advantage of these time efficiencies to further bolster their fast-
paced product development roadmap. Tony Westwater, Group IT Director, added: “It’s important that the core ERP business system stays that way, and is as close to the standard product as possible. However, we still want the flexibility around the edge and the Microsoft Dynamics 365 application gives us just that, with Power Apps, Power Automate and Power BI, giving us the capability to build new applications in super quick time”. He continued, “Having real-time, accurate data is a top priority for us and needs to be at the heart of the business so that we can make decisions fast and thrive.” “RKW selected HSO because they displayed an in-depth understanding and engaged with the business well. We were extremely impressed with the people we have worked with from the start.” “We undertook an Enterprise Architecture exercise in the first instance with HSO, which was considerably eye-opening. It highlighted the processes currently in operation, and uncovered new ways of working, where we should consider making changes, and highlighted improvements plus the results that could be obtained. A fantastic way to start.” Westwater added: “HSO really understood and challenged the “norm” for our business. By pushing ourselves, and with help from HSO experts, we can now see a roadmap to build the business for the next 10-20+ years using Microsoft Dynamics 365.” “The workforce at RKW is now exceptionally excited about the new
way of working, change can be very intimidating, and we know the importance of involving every single member of staff in the project. Every member of our workforce will play a vital part in the business development and transformation. This is not an IT project, it’s a business project.”
BIRA welcomes Autumn Statement as support for Britain’s High Street
The British
Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has welcomed the support from the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement announced on November 17. However, the group has also warned that tough times still lie ahead with consumer confidence declining. According to recent figures, UK inflation has hit 11.1% as energy bills and food prices have driven up the cost of living. Prices have risen 11.1% in the year since October which is up from 10.1% in September. In the plans released on November 17, it was announced that National Living Wage will be increased by 9.7% to £10.42 an hour, giving a full- time worker a pay rise of over £1,600 a year, benefitting 2 million of the lowest paid workers. The Chancellor also announced a £13.6 billion package of support for business rates payers in England. To protect businesses from rising inflation the multiplier will be frozen in 2023-24 while relief for 230,000 businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure sectors was also increased from 50% to 75% next year. To help businesses adjust to the revaluation of their properties, which takes effect from April 2023, the Chancellor announced a £1.6 billion
November/December 2022 •
HousewaresLive.net
Transitional Relief scheme to cap bill increases for those who will see higher bills. This limits bill increases for the smallest properties to 5%. Businesses seeing lower bills as a result of the revaluation will benefit from that decrease in full straight away, as the Chancellor abolished downwards transitional reliefs caps. Small businesses who lose eligibility for either Small Business or Rural Rate Relief as a result of the new property revaluations will see their bill increases capped at £50 a month through a new separate scheme worth over £500 million. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA, said: “Today’s Autumn Statement delivered some welcome news for independent retailers with regards to business rates. “Next year the multiplier will be frozen for 12 months, and the retail discount has been increased to 75% (from 50%) and downwards transitional relief has been removed. These are positive steps to support the high street. “BIRA has been campaigning hard to reduce the cost burden on indie retailers. We actually asked the Government not to decrease the discount back in 2021, so it is great to see the Chancellor listen to us this time around.” Goodacre added: “While this is good news for next year, we are acutely aware that the business climate at the moment is extremely difficult, with consumer spending declining. We would like to have seen more done to encourage more spending, especially in the run up to Christmas and we are very concerned that disposable income will be reduced as a result of this budget.”
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