The 2018 Fastest Growing Firms: Efficio

Consulting: What were the main factors that contributed to your firm's exceptional growth?

Oliveira: Efficio has experienced an average growth rate of 30 percent per year for the past 18 years, largely as a result of a value proposition that works well in both growth periods and recessions. Our client base has expanded significantly, enabling us to work with mid-sized companies globally across a range of industries, as well as private equity companies that are using procurement as a significant value lever across their portfolio companies. 

Consulting: How is this year shaping up for your firm?

Oliveira: We recently opened new offices in the Middle East and Denmark, while further expanding in New York and Germany, considerably increasing our exposure to global client assignments. In line with this growth we have recruited over 100 new employees in the calendar year to September 2018. 

Consulting: How would you describe your firm's outlook for 2019? 

Oliveira: Our outlook for 2019 and beyond remains positive. We have experienced considerable demand from private equity owned companies, which use procurement as a value lever across their portfolio companies—whether at the time of acquisition, following management changes, when spend is growing more rapidly than expected or as part of an annual assessment of spend. A key differentiator for us as practitioners is the ability to address core directs categories. Our practitioners are able to engage business stakeholders and work with them on a cross-functional basis, going as far as to change product specifications, rationalize demand and improve SLAs. 

Consulting: What would you say are your firm's biggest challenges in 2019?

Oliveira: We now have over 400 employees across 10 offices and numerous project sites—many of whom have only been with the business for two years. This means we need to ensure we have the right infrastructure, value-set, tools and processes in place to continue to deliver high-quality services to each and every client. As part of this, maintaining our culture and values is a huge priority so that we continue to attract and retain high-calibre people to the business.

Consulting: What does being named one of Consulting's Fastest Growing Firms mean to your firm, your employees and your clients?

Oliveira: We are very proud to be recognized for our achievements. This accolade confirms our commitment to growth and continuous business change, with the ultimate aim of delivering increasing value to our clients. We attract very bright people from leading universities and other consultancies who are passionate about delivering large improvement projects for our clients globally and this is a major factor in our success.