CASE STUDY
How did Danone achieve consistency in its business processes?
About the project
This case study explores the successful delivery of the BENL IS LF THEMIS BE project in 2021 at Danone, a leading global food company. The primary goal was to integrate and harmonize diverse business functions to create a more cohesive and efficient organization. The project aimed to drive synergy, minimize manual work, and improve access to information by streamlining systems and processes. By unifying codes, systems, and master data, Danone sought to establish a consistent identity while supporting business continuity and growth.
This transformation journey unfolded over 11 months, and through careful planning and collaboration, Danone successfully advanced toward a more agile, flexible, and integrated organization.
Project Goals and Challenges
Danone Synergy
Achieve synergy by building one unified Danone organization.
Integration of Business Functions
Merge various business functions—HR, D2D, Finance, Sales, IBS, Marketing, and GS—into a single operational unit.
Reduction of Manual Work
Streamline processes and implement systems that reduce manual effort, boosting operational efficiency and reducing the need for physical tasks.
Improved Access to Information
Simplify reporting and enhance access to data to support better decision-making and reduce complexity across departments.
Unified Company Identity
Foster a sense of corporate unity and shared identity across Danone to support talent development, career growth, and employee mobility.
Standardization of Product Data
Align product codes, systems, and master data across the organization to ensure data consistency and accuracy.
Key Outcomes
Discovery Phase
The team defined process maps, created future-state application landscapes, and established the new organizational structure. Initial impact assessments were also completed.
Exploration Phase
Target processes were validated and approved. Application maps were confirmed, and a detailed impact assessment was conducted. The team created a post-project improvement backlog and compiled test data.
Implementation Phase
This phase included system configuration, data migration, user training, and change management. Extensive testing was carried out, including unit tests, IT integration tests, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Deployment Phase
Final activities included system cutover, data conversion, hypercare support during early operations, and handover to operational teams.
Business Benefits
Legal Integration of Entities
The merger of legal entities—including EDP, SN, Waters, and Alpro—resulted in a unified legal structure, streamlining internal operations.
Cost Reduction
Higher machine utilization rates enabled increased production in less time, leading to operational cost savings.
Adoption of Best Practices
Incorporated industry best practices from across the organization to deliver consistent, high-quality operations.
Summary
Spanning a total of 11 months, this transformation project successfully delivered on its integration and harmonization goals. Danone united multiple entities, simplified core processes, and created a coherent organizational identity. Through strategic planning and execution, the initiative generated substantial business benefits and helped Danone evolve into a more efficient, scalable, and unified enterprise—better prepared for future growth.
Any questions?
Let’s talk!
Luke Krukowski
Interested in this case study?
Let’s talk about your SAP IBP implementation