Production Planning Tool
Client: Major UK Super Market
Published on: 21 September 2025
Working with one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, we engineered a transformative production planning tool to overcome critical supply chain inefficiencies. Our solution delivered an increase in forcasting accuracy of 10 percentrage points, setting a new standard for operational excellence.
The Challenge
A leading UK supermarket, with hundreds of stores and a vast network of suppliers, faced a persistent challenge: aligning production with fluctuating consumer demand. Their existing planning systems were fragmented, leading to operational friction. This resulted in occasional stockouts of popular items and, conversely, costly overproduction and waste, particularly for fresh goods. They needed a unified solution that could provide clarity and predictability in a highly dynamic environment.
Our Solution
Assisting to develop a bespoke, intelligent production planning platform that provided a single source of truth for their entire supply chain. The tool integrated three core pillars of their operations:
- Intelligent Inventory Management: By implementing predictive analytics, the system could anticipate demand with remarkable accuracy, allowing for optimised stock levels. This ensured shelves remained stocked while dramatically reducing spoilage.
- Dynamic Scheduling: The platform automated and optimised production schedules based on real-time sales data, supplier lead times, and promotional calendars. This created a more agile and responsive production flow, eliminating previous bottlenecks.
- Strategic Capacity Planning: The tool gave managers a clear view of production capacity, enabling them to make informed decisions about resource allocation. This helped them better manage seasonal peaks and troughs without over-stretching their resources.
From 90% to 99%: Unlocking New Potential
The impact was immediate and profound. By increasing their forecasting accuracy, the supermarket unlocked significant operational potential. This leap in accuracy translated to enhanced product availability for customers, a substantial reduction in food waste, and a more sustainable and resilient operation overall. Staff were empowered with data-driven insights, allowing them to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive strategic planning, ensuring the right products were in the right place at the right time at the right price.