Case Study: Marel achieves global HR transparency and 3-minute headcount reporting with Workday Adaptive Planning

Marel gains transparency and speed by deploying a single HR system

Marel, founded in 1983 in Reykjavík, is a leading global provider of processing systems and services for the poultry, meat, and fish industries with 4,800 employees in 30 countries. The company relied on local point solutions, Excel spreadsheets, and manual processes, making basic workforce insights—like total head count—hard to obtain; a new data‑focused CEO pushed Marel to adopt a single, smarter HR system.

Marel deployed Workday Human Capital Management across 30 countries in seven months, replacing 30+ systems and 200+ spreadsheets. The unified system delivered global visibility, cut head‑count reporting from two weeks to three minutes, achieved 99% data accuracy, eliminated double data entry, standardized processes and roles, and helped HR become a strategic partner while saving time and money.

Marel