One of the world’s leading chemical and specialty ingredient distributors was implementing a global SAP template worldwide. Meanwhile, they had acquired two companies in Belgium.
Acquisitions needed integration as fast as possible for supply chain transparency and visibility. They couldn’t wait for the new global template delivery in 2014 or later.
Business reality was clashing with implementation timelines.
Beginning of 2012, the cliunet made the decision: merge two acquisitions plus existing Belgian facility into new operation. Full production, sales, purchasing, and warehouse distribution from April 1st. Complete legal consolidation by July 1st.
Twelve weeks for what takes months or years.
Two acquisitions were running Navision software. The existing operation used bespoke, old SAP version that ran other European operations including France, Germany, and Czech Republic.
Three different systems. Three different business models. Three different process mixes. One deadline.
To compound the challenge, the client was moving existing Belgian operations to a new site. The old lease had expired.
Physical relocation simultaneous with system integration. The pressure cooker was heating up.
Pivot had to undertake consolidation quickly while ensuring zero disruption to existing operations. The integration gauntlet demanded perfection under pressure.
Each organization had specific business model requirements. They had different mixes of sales, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, manufacturing processes, plus core financial procedures.
Pivot’s first step was creating and setting up a new entity. It would enable standardized processes across all three organizations. This provided the clear supply chain visibility the company needed.
Foundation first. Then integration.
Pivot migrated master data from all three organisations to the new entity. This included extracting and mapping data from two Navision systems plus the bespoke SAP environment.
The data mountain included financial information, inventory, customers, vendors, bills of materials, and transactional data including open sales orders, purchase orders, and stock balances.
Customised returnable packaging processes proved challenging. Complex business requirements demanded sophisticated technical solutions under extreme time pressure.
Every detail mattered when disruption wasn’t an option.
Despite exacting requirements, Pivot completed the entire project in 12 weeks. In scope, on time, on budget.
Three organization became one operational entity. Pivot achieved supply chain transparency. Pivot maintained business continuity throughout.
Acquisition integration timelines can clash with business realities where waiting isn’t an option.
Pivot delivered specialized knowledge that turned impossible timelines into business success.
