Case Study: Edwards Lifesciences achieves 89% forecast accuracy, 98% fill rates and $2.8M freight savings with Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder Software helps Edwards Lifesciences deliver life-saving products quickly and cost-effectively

Edwards Lifesciences, a global leader in heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, manages roughly 5,500 SKUs and must deliver products quickly to avoid postponed surgeries and patient risk. The company struggled with inconsistent forecasts—commercial “aspirational” projections vs. statistical supply forecasts—which led to the wrong product mix and unreliable fulfillment.

By implementing JDA’s demand and manufacturing planning solutions and services, Edwards established fact-based forecasting, aligned commercial and supply teams, and optimized inventory and production across global plants. The results: forecast accuracy up to 89%, inventory reduced 13%, $2.8M lower expedited freight (2011–2013), a 98% line-item fill rate, improved supply chain agility, fewer errors and lower operating costs.

Edwards Lifesciences

John Washington

Senior Director of Supply Chain