Case Study
The Lobster Pot Ltd
01
The Situation
The Lobster Pot Ltd is Wales’ largest exporter of live crabs and lobsters, supplying premium seafood to markets across the UK and internationally. Experiencing significant business growth, The Lobster Pot is preparing to double its processing capacity to meet surging demand. However, this expansion exposed key concerns: the company’s existing ICT infrastructure, manual processes, and fragmented business systems lacked the robustness and integration required to support a larger, more complex operation.
With ambitions to scale effectively while maintaining full compliance with the stringent traceability and reporting regulations of the seafood industry, The Lobster Pot’s leadership team engaged Pro Outsourcing to deliver a digital and operational transformation programme.
02
The Transformation
Pro Outsourcing partnered with The Lobster Pot to lead a full business systems review, integrating both procurement and ICT strategy to future-proof operations. Central to this transformation was the sourcing and implementation of a modern ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system that could streamline end-to-end business processes.
Key transformation activities included:
· Comprehensive ICT and process audit: We conducted a full review of current systems, identifying operational bottlenecks and risks related to data accuracy, traceability, and reporting capabilities.
· ERP system sourcing and integration: We evaluated and sourced a tailored ERP solution capable of managing purchasing, goods receipt, stock control, BOM (Bill of Materials) management, labelling, and production reporting—all while ensuring traceability compliance with industry regulations.
· Supplier base review and consolidation: Alongside the digital transformation, Pro Outsourcing reviewed The Lobster Pot’s supplier network to identify consolidation and cost-saving opportunities, ensuring alignment with future business growth plans.
· ICT hardware and infrastructure upgrade: To support the new ERP system, we specified and oversaw upgrades to ICT hardware, including server capacity, barcode scanning, and labelling equipment to automate and digitise key processes.
· Development of management reporting suite: We designed a range of custom, real-time reports, enabling leadership to make proactive data-led decisions on stock levels, productivity, and supply chain performance.
The overarching focus was on building a fully integrated system capable of scaling with the business, while reducing manual input, improving accuracy, and enabling real-time operational control.
03
The Result
The Lobster Pot Ltd now operates with a fully integrated ERP platform, delivering significant efficiencies across the business. Key benefits include:
· A dramatic reduction in manual processes, freeing up staff capacity and increasing labour productivity.
· Full end-to-end traceability of live seafood, from receipt to export, ensuring stress-free regulatory compliance.
· Real-time stock visibility, production planning, and performance reporting, providing leadership with immediate insight into business operations.
· A robust ICT infrastructure that underpins the company’s expansion, creating a scalable platform for sustainable growth.
The digital transformation has empowered The Lobster Pot to confidently expand processing capabilities while retaining full control over supply chain, compliance, and financial performance.
““…Pro Outsourcing were able to walk into our business and understand the complex nature of the industry.
They created a strategic plan to improve processes, efficiency, ensure compliance & reduce costs. I’m very pleased with the result and look forward to ongoing work with Tom and his team…”
Julie Hill
Director