A Strategic Analysis of a Facility Supply Distributor in British Columbia

This paper presents a business level strategic analysis of RST Corporation’s facility supplydivision, in British Columbia Canada.The facility supply industry is in decline. Firms find it increasingly difficult to achieveprofitability. Despite its decline, this industry will provide opportunities for a smaller number offirms with the correct strategy to take advantage of them. This paper explores the industryenvironment, RST’s resources, current strategy, and performance. It then goes on to develop,evaluate, and recommend an altered strategy for RST.Specifically, RST’s environment and capabilities suggest it should embrace a different setof strategic options. Recommended strategic options include the placement of generalmanagers in distribution centers, incremental customer service personnel, and appointment ofindividuals responsible for process improvement. These and other options, will increase costsminimally, arrest RST’s trend of decline, and position it for success in the next five to ten years.