At a time when global supply chains are facing increasing pressure, Unilever International Group, the global division of the consumer goods giant, has leveraged Anaplan Intelligence to orchestrate its financial and operational planning at scale. Operating in more than 150 countries and supplied by 120 sourcing units, the organisation has undertaken a deep modernisation of its processes to become more responsive, accurate and resilient.
This transformation is part of a strategic ambition: to better serve markets and channels that are often underserved, while addressing the challenges of an extremely diverse logistics network. To achieve this, Unilever International deployed the Anaplan platform to connect its data, unify its planning models and introduce an advanced level of artificial intelligence into its day-to-day operations.
A major acceleration in planning cycles
The impact was quickly felt. According to Dany Krivoshey, the Group’s Chief Digital and Transformation Officer, planning cycles have been reduced from 45 days to just four days, with some steps even compressed into four minutes thanks to the platform’s automated analytical capabilities. This performance illustrates Anaplan’s ability to absorb, process and leverage massive volumes of information in real time.
According to the vendor, in total, more than 300 million rows of data are now analysed through statistical models powered by Anaplan AI. This capability enables teams to anticipate demand more accurately, simulate complex scenarios and quickly adjust operational decisions.
A significant improvement in customer service
Beyond internal performance, the transformation underway delivers a direct market benefit. The company has recorded a 5% improvement in customer service, a result that translates directly into fewer stockouts, improved product availability and a smoother consumer experience. At the scale of a group such as Unilever, these gains represent hundreds of millions in value.
AI, agility and visibility: Unilever International’s new pillars
By combining integrated planning and artificial intelligence, Unilever International is strengthening not only the agility of its supply chain, but also its ability to navigate uncertain environments. The platform now plays a central role in decision-making, providing end-to-end visibility, facilitating collaborative work and accelerating adaptability.
In an industry where speed and accuracy have become decisive, Unilever International’s example perfectly illustrates how organisations can leverage AI to rethink their planning models and generate value at scale.
source: Anaplan
