Global copper company saves by automating materials request

First Quantum Minerals, Ltd. is a global copper company, is now one of the world’s top 10 copper producers, exporting millions of tons of concentrate from multiple countries to customers worldwide. The company’s E&I department performs extensive procurement for projects across the world. The team sources materials available for projects, from all corners of the globe. The process was manually tracked through email, spreadsheets and paperwork physically exchanged for authorization. It was challenging to compare quotations from suppliers in different currencies and assorted units of measure. The process was onerous and prone to clerical and entry errors, resulting in delays and pressure for the team expected to deliver accurately and on time.

Seeking to integrate and streamline the processes, the team chose the flexibility of K2 Software workflows to deploy automation for some aspects of its procurement and cost-reporting systems, beginning with materials requests, adding a line-level quote rationalization and optimization function. Further enhancements included process automation through shipping, to onsite delivery. This has allowed field employees to access forms and documents and submit proof of delivery, predict delivery mapped to purchase orders and expedite accurate on-time payments.