Buckman Chemical, a global specialty chemical leader, faced rising costs and inefficiencies due to underutilized SAP capabilities in their supply chain. By partnering with Reveal to optimize their SAP system using the oVo® methodology, Buckman transformed demand planning, inventory management, and production processes. Within six months, they reduced overdue supply and demand elements by up to 97%, cut negative days of supply by 66%, and unlocked significant operational savings, proving SAP’s potential as a true business asset.

The Challenge

Buckman Chemical, a privately held, ISO-certified global specialty chemical company, struggled to scale efficiently. Their SAP system, meant to streamline operations, was underutilized, leading to:

• Fragmented supply chain visibility, with partial use of demand management tools, hampering accurate forecasting.
• Rising inventory costs, driven by excessive raw material and finished goods stock.
• Inefficient production planning, relying on manual processes and spreadsheets for sequencing and capacity management.
• Frustrated users, who lacked trust in SAP data and resorted to time-consuming workarounds.
• Limited reporting, with SAP’s robust KPI tools largely untapped, leaving leadership without critical performance insights.
  These challenges inflated operating costs, constrained scalability, and eroded confidence in their ERP investment.

The Decision

Buckman sought a partner to unlock the full potential of their existing SAP system without costly reimplementations. They chose Reveal for its proven oVo® methodology, which focuses on aligning SAP functionality with business goals to drive measurable outcomes. Reveal’s approach stood out for its emphasis on education, process alignment, and sustainable results—ensuring SAP became a strategic asset, not just a system to maintain.

The Transformation

Reveal’s oVo® methodology guided Buckman through a supply chain transformation, leveraging their existing SAP system to address pain points. Key initiatives included:

• Comprehensive education for demand planners, buyers, production schedulers, and management on SAP’s native tools, including Available to Promise (ATP) and master data management.
• Process optimization, establishing automated warehouse processes like Storage Bin Capacity and Shelf Life End Date (SLED) management.
• Governance and accountability, aligning KPIs with strategic business objectives and empowering teams to own master data.
• Enhanced visibility, streamlining communication across the supply chain to support demand forecasting and production planning.
  This journey shifted Buckman from manual workarounds to SAP-driven efficiency, empowering teams to make data-driven decisions with confidence.

The Results

Within six months, Buckman’s transformation delivered quantifiable business impact:

• 85% reduction in overdue demand elements, improving forecast accuracy and customer service levels.
• 97% reduction in overdue supply elements, streamlining procurement and production.
• 66% reduction in negative days of supply, optimizing inventory and freeing up working capital.
• 67% decrease in supply chain exceptions, reducing operational disruptions.
• Increased production efficiency, with optimized line capacity, throughput, and schedule attainment.
• Activated SAP reporting, providing leadership with real-time KPIs to drive strategic decisions.
  These outcomes lowered costs, boosted operational agility, and positioned Buckman for scalable growth, proving SAP’s value as a profit-driving asset.

Buckman Chemical’s success demonstrates how optimizing existing SAP systems can unlock hidden profit and drive sustainable growth. By closing the gap between SAP’s potential and its daily use, Reveal empowered Buckman to achieve measurable results without costly overhauls. Ready to transform your SAP system into a strategic asset? Visit Reveal’s website to learn how we can unlock your operations’ full potential.