Perfetti Van Melle engages AI software firm’s ‘digital brain’ supply chain system
Sylvia Buxton, of Perfetti Van Melle, at last year's Sweets and Snacks Expo. Pic: Perfetti Van Melle
AI software enterprise o9 Solutions has confirmed that Perfetti Van Melle has struck an agreement to utilise its ‘digital brain platform’ targeting transformation of its supply chain performance, reports Neill Barston.
The confectionery and gum business, which is behind global brands including Mentos, Chupa Chups, Fruit-tella, Smint and Airheads, presently distributes its ranges in more than 150 countries. Their products are produced and distributed in over 150 countries.
According to the business, the o9 platform was selected because of its best-in-class scenario planning integrated with financial information, digital on-system IBP process providing end-to-end visibility, and software under its Enterprise Knowledge Graph cube technology, enabling the company to convert data into key relevant information.
As the business explained, it will enable the confectionery business to integrated business planning and supply chain planning capabilities, and Material Requirements Planning, Deployment Planning, and Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimisation.
“We have an ambitious goal at Perfetti Van Melle to digitise our supply chain planning capabilities. By doing so, we can turn data into meaningful insights to make more data-driven decisions across the value chain while continuing to create value for our consumers through innovative and gratifying high-quality products,” said Vincent Vloemans, Chief Information Officer of Perfetti Van Melle. “We strive to be the world’s most innovative confectionery company.”
Chakri Gottemukkala, co-founder and CEO of o9 Solutions welcomed the new partnership with the confectionery major, which he believed would prove a notable boost to its operations.
He said: “We are thrilled that Perfetti Van Melle has selected the o9 Digital Brain platform to transform their integrated business planning processes digitally. o9 will provide Perfetti Van Melle with an end-to-end platform that will enable planners to have end-to-end supply chain visibility of constraints and costs, as well as improve decision making through the use of advanced scenario capabilities.”