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8 Of McKinsey’s Biggest Clients (Ranked)

McKinsey is the oldest and most prestigious strategy consulting firm among the “Big Three” (MBB), and they don’t reveal their clients due to the Non-disclosure Agreement. Nevertheless, upon researching, I’ve found a few companies this firm has worked for, including some disclosed by their alumni member ‘Pete Buttigieg.’ 

The 8 of McKinsey’s biggest clients are:

  1. U.S. Defense Department
  2. Microsoft
  3. U.S. Postal Service
  4. Coca-Cola
  5. Best Buy
  6. U.S. Department of Energy
  7. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
  8. Canadian supermarket chain Loblaws

In this article, I will check out 8 of McKinsey’s biggest clients and rank them from top to bottom, considering their financial value.

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Aerial shot of the Pentagon, headquarters of the US Department of Defence
The Pentagon, the Headquarters of the US Defence Department

1. U.S. Defense Department

According to ‘Pete Buttigieg,’ McKinsey has a long-standing connection with the U.S. Department of Defense, providing strategic advice and operational support to improve performance in the following areas: (Source). 

1. Equipment Acquisition

McKinsey helps the U.S. Defense Department adopt a whole-life approach to streamline equipment acquisition processes. 

Moreover, the company assists them in transforming defense logistics by simplifying and expediting delivery through redesigned incentives, aggressive targets, and an outcomes-based approach.  

2. Enhancing The Supply Chain 

While researching, I’ve also found that McKinsey works on enhancing deployed supply chain performance for the U.S. Department of Defense by developing standardized, integrated systems and improving asset tracking and logistic communication. 

3. McKinsey Audits The U.S. Department of Defense

McKinsey also conducts defense budget audits for the U.S. Department of Defense, assessing all spend segments and redesigning key processes to align assets better with defense strategies and priorities.

2. Microsoft

The collaboration between Microsoft and McKinsey aims to provide joint offerings to help clients accelerate and amplify resources in multiple fields, such as:

  • Cloud transformation
  • Data modernization
  • Industrial IoT

Moreover, these two companies developed and launched an architecture design to guide the data platform and train over 200 team associates. 

This development enables them to ramp up capabilities across business functions with an estimated EBIT impact of $25 million.

(Source)

Another notable project was the creation of “Factory of the Future” in collaboration with a top producer of wireless equipment. By using Microsoft’s IoT platform as the foundation, the two firms successfully delivered a use-case strategy, roadmap, and industrial IoT platform in just 16 weeks. 

3. U.S. Postal Service

As part of their work, McKinsey & Company helps U.S. Postal Service develop a plan to increase revenue and reduce costs. 

This agenda includes recommendations to optimize the organization’s network and improve the customer experience. 

They also help USPS with technology upgrades, such as implementing automated package sorting and delivery systems. As a result, the company’s performance has improved, and it continues to provide fast shipping services across the United States.

(Source)

4. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola and McKinsey collaborate on a people-first digital transformation to upskill managers and frontline team leaders with technology.

(Source)

To achieve this goal, McKinsey established a digital academy for Coca-Cola that trained more than 500 employees in its first year, combining go-and-see visits, immersive boot camps, and e-learning modules.

I have also found that this project’s success led to digital-skills training for 4,000 workers across the organization, demonstrating the commitment of both companies to reskilling their workforce with the latest trends.

5. Best Buy

McKinsey is working with Best Buy to provide the Accelerator Program, enhancing employees’ leadership and management skills, diversity, inclusion, and networking opportunities. 

This program has since expanded to offer customized courses for Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian professionals.

(Source)

Georgia Vahoua, Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, says, “Our primary goal through the cohorts’ participation is to establish a space where everyone feels appreciated and included.”

In addition, Best Buy uses the McKinsey 7s model, which identifies seven essential elements for successful change management and performance enhancements. Those are:

  • Shared values
  • Strategy
  • Skills
  • Structure
  • Style
  • Systems
  • Staff
Best Buy store car park
Best Buy uses McKinsey’s 7 model principle

6. U.S. Department of Energy

McKinsey & Company partners with the U.S. Department of Energy to support its mission of advancing the energy sector’s resilience, security, and reliability. 

As part of this union, the two companies work on a range of initiatives, including:

  • Analysis and research to support the development of clean energy.
  • Workforce training programs to support the transition to a green electric economy.
  • Building public-private partnerships to promote innovation in the renewable energy sector.
  • Advising on strategic planning, program design, and implementation of clean energy initiatives.

7. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 

As a leading management consulting firm with expertise in healthcare, McKinsey provides advisory services to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on various issues, including strategy, program design, and implementation.

(Source)

According to my research, the primary aim of this partnership is to fund global health initiatives and improve healthcare outcomes in underdeveloped countries.

However, some criticize this reliance, while most appreciate it as McKinsey’s expertise and resources help the foundation achieve its goals more efficiently and effectively.

8. Loblaws

McKinsey, a consulting firm, potentially assists Loblaws with its expertise and knowledge in strategy and digital transformation, including growth plans, optimizing operations, and identifying new business opportunities.

For example, McKinsey helps Loblaws identify financial services or healthcare areas where it could expand beyond its core grocery retail business. 

They also aid this superstore in leveraging its customer data to develop personalized marketing strategies and loyalty programs and explore options to monetize its data.

(Source)

In the end, here is a table that shows the revenue generated or budget allocated to 8 of the McKinsey’s biggest clients:

RankCompany NameRevenue / Budget
1U.S Defence Department$705 Billion 
2Microsoft$168 Billion
3U.S. Postal Service (USPS)$77.06 Billion 
4Coca-Cola$43 Billion
5Best Buy $42.8 Billion 
6U.S Department of Energy$35.3 Billion 
7Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation$6.8 Billion 
8Loblaws$1.99 Billion-CAD

Author

  • Will Bennett

    Will Bennett is a Cambridge graduate. He worked as a Consultant and Senior Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in London. Will is the Founder of The Cambridge Consultant.