Case Study: Edward Snell & Co., Ltd. achieves lower inventory costs and 96% service with Demand Solutions

Demand Solutions makes tough economic times easier for Edward Snell & Co. Ltd.

Edward Snell & Co. Ltd., South Africa’s oldest family‑owned liquor company, faced mounting cost pressure from double‑digit inflation, rising fuel and food prices, and the need to balance a high 96% customer service level with lower inventory costs. The company had originally implemented Demand Solutions’ forecasting and replenishment modules in 2002 but the system fell into disuse until a 2004 acquisition renewed the need for a dedicated planning tool.

Demand Solutions was re‑implemented and reconfigured, with close consultation between planning, operations and regional sales teams and later integrated with SAP All‑in‑One for richer data mining and streamlined uploads of company‑wide distribution plans. As a result, Demand Solutions now helps Edward Snell plan production and distribution of two million cases annually, sustain its service levels, and earned the company a DS Crystal Ball award in 2007, while rebuilding staff trust in the planning process.

Edward Snell & Co., Ltd.

Neil Proudfoot

Operations Director