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People. Process. Systems.

Challenge.

Finsbury Food Group is a leading speciality bakery manufacturer, producing a diverse range of cakes, bread, and sweet snacking products for the major UK multiple retailers and foodservice channels.

Through acquisition, the company expanded to eight manufacturing sites across the UK that all had their own systems and ways of working. To support continued growth and collaboration, they recognised the need to introduce a standardised, group-wide approach to their systems and processes.

Finsbury launched a comprehensive business transformation programme that combined organisational change with the implementation of a new end-to-end ERP system. Their primary goal was to unlock the full potential of their ERP investment, driving business growth, value, and profitability. To achieve this, they sought to break down siloed working practices, embrace automation, and reduce reliance on manual processes and complex spreadsheets. Enhancing data quality and providing easy access to analysis and reports were also critical to enabling more informed decision-making. The focus was on the full end-to-end supply chain, where significant opportunities for improvement and business benefits were identified.

Initially, Optimum PPS was engaged to optimise the newly installed Infor M3 ERP system. However, challenges with the rollout led to a more expansive role, including assisting with governance of final site implementations and providing targeted change management support for teams undergoing substantial transitions to new, systemised ways of working.

Solution.

Optimum PPS deployed a skilled team of consultants to supplement Finsbury’s project team. This included experts in project management, solution management, change management, data migration, and implementation consultancy.

Using our proven ERP implementation methodology, we adopted a site-by-site rollout approach. This method:

 

  • Ensured smooth rollouts: Focused on getting each site live safely.
  • Built site-specific expertise: Captured detailed knowledge to streamline subsequent rollouts.
  • Tailored change management: Delivered team-specific support for new ways of working.

 

Once all sites successfully adopted Infor M3, Optimum PPS initiated an “Optimisation Blueprint” exercise to drive maximum value from the ERP system. This blueprint looked at ways to optimise people, processes, and systems across all business functions to allow Finsbury to take full control of all future projects. This comprehensive exercise covered:

 

Organisational Structure Alignment

  • Unified team structures, roles, and responsibilities across all sites.
  • Encouraged a culture of ownership, accountability, and collaboration.

 

Process Optimisation

  • Standardised and streamlined business processes, enhancing cost efficiency and productivity.
  • Contributed to Supply Chain Forums to share best practices across sites.
  • Reduced reliance on manual spreadsheets, improving data visibility and process understanding.

 

Technology Enhancements

  • Identified the need for additional solutions in Supply Chain Planning and Product Lifecycle Management.
  • Assisted with the identification and selection of Optimity for supply chain planning and Point74 for product lifecycle management.
  • Provided governance, project management, and supply chain consultancy to support implementation.

Deliverables.

The success of the transformation was measured by a series of key deliverables that set the foundation for Finsbury’s continued growth and Operating Excellence Programme (OBP). These deliverables were carefully designed to ensure long-term benefits and measurable outcomes across all sites. They included:

  • ERP Implementation: Infor M3 ERP successfully rolled out across all sites, and subsequent move to a Cloud based environment.
  • Standardised Rollout Template: Established a repeatable template for future implementations.
  • Change Management: Embedded change to ensure successful adoption.
  • Optimisation Blueprint & Roadmap: Defined systemised, standardised, and optimised ways of working across sites.
  • Supply Chain Transformation: Delivered training, enhanced capabilities, and optimised systems.
  • Scenario Planning Tools: Enabled what-if analysis for strategic decision-making and scenario planning.

Benefits.

Following the successful completion of its group-wide transformation, Finsbury Food Group has significantly enhanced efficiency and collaboration across its end-to-end supply chain. By implementing standardised systems and processes, the organisation has maximised the value of its ERP investment, driving OBP improvements and strengthening its ability to adapt to future market changes.

The transformation delivered measurable benefits across Finsbury’s UK operation and into Europe:

 

Strategic Decision-Making

  • Accurate, reliable data supports better business decisions.
  • Enabling more informed business decisions to help drive growth.

 

Productivity and Collaboration

  • Standardised processes boost productivity and reduce costs.
  • Centralised decision-making fosters joined-up thinking.
  • Employees benefit from clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

 

Operating Efficiency

  • Reduced reliance on spreadsheets with automated processes and data to make better decisions.
  • Enhanced service levels through data-driven forecasting.
  • Structured S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) processes.

 

Technological Advancements

  • Competitive advantage gained through the latest technology.
  • Faster time-to-market and improved product quality.

 

Supply Chain Optimisation

  • Accurate cost capture and KPI tracking across the send-to-end supply chain.
  • Reduced material management costs and better resource allocation.

Summary: A Recipe for Success

Finsbury Food Group’s transformation was a complex, multi-phase project that delivered deep-rooted, long-lasting improvements across the organisation.

Optimum PPS’s expertise and collaborative approach ensured the successful delivery of a complex, multi-site ERP implementation. Standardised ways of working, improved data accuracy, and a more agile supply chain have laid the foundation for a future-proofed, digitally enabled organisation that will continue delivering exceptional products and service in a highly competitive sector.

"Working with Optimum to consolidate multiple ERP systems into one standardised solution to drive Growth, Quality, Efficiency and our Operating Brilliance Programme has been transformational for the business.

From the initial consultation to the final site going live, their expertise and understanding of best practice was evident at every stage. The consultants took the time to understand our unique processes and challenges, ensuring that the solution was tailored to our specific needs and also left us with a Blueprint and skills to tackle all future projects by ourselves."

Ian Chree - Group European, Infrastructure & Integration Director - Finsbury Food Group