Case Study: Applegate achieves accurate forecasting and inventory control with Demand Solutions

Applegate - Customer Case Study

Applegate, one of the country’s largest suppliers of antibiotic‑free and organic meats with nearly $200 million in sales and 20–25% annual growth, struggled with error‑prone, manual forecasting and siloed planning. With complex sourcing (about 1,000 farms, 18 co‑packers, long lead imports) and no forward-looking forecasting system, Applegate relied on weekly manual forecasts and a Lotus Notes database that left inventory, promotional spikes and accuracy tracking unmanaged. To address this, Applegate installed Demand Solutions (using Demand Solutions Forecast Management and Requirements Planning).

Demand Solutions delivered customer‑item level forecasting that rolls up to item plans, stores planning data, tracks forecast accuracy and supports collaborative S&OP meetings, giving all departments a single set of numbers. As a result, Applegate significantly reduced manual effort and purchasing errors, brought inventory holdings closer to target, maintained fill rates despite rapid growth, improved co‑packer capacity planning and gained visibility to manage seasonal spikes and promotions—outcomes Applegate attributes directly to Demand Solutions.

Applegate

Heather Kantorek

Purchasing Manager