Manufacturer of some of Australia’s most iconic food brands, including Chiko, Birds Eye and John West, Simplot has re-embarked on its journey with business improvement specialists, Oliver Wight, transforming its operations. Awarded Class A Planning and Control, back in 2001, Simplot has been recertified using the Sixth Edition Checklist and has also rolled out Integrated Business Planning across its organisation to fantastic success. With improvement in every plant and division, reduced inventory, optimised lot sizes, bigger profits, and hugely successful product innovation, Simplot has become the supplier of choice over its key competitors.
“Our service levels are so good because IBP allows us to forecast the business two years out and we now have a much better process of identifying risks and opportunities,”
In addition to its improved agility, which has proved vital as supermarkets discount products with little or no warning, Simplot has also greatly improved its product portfolio management. “We have a really good forum for prioritising projects; re-addressing every month if we’re on track and if not, why not, and where we can put our efforts to drive innovation and profitability.”
Simplot Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of J R Simplot, the US-based food and agricultural giant. With a turnover exceeding $1.5b and employing over 3,000 people across Australia and New Zealand, it is ranked one of the top food companies in Australia – and Spencer says they intend to keep it that way. “The Class A journey is part of a continual commitment to become a world class company, provide excellent customer service, drive innovation and retain competitive advantage,” she concludes.
