By Michel Ramis, EVP Sales & Marketing, FuturMaster
2017 IS A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION FOR FUTURMASTER
Following a dynamic double-digit growth for twelfth consecutive year in 2016 , our teams are focusing on building the future to continue to increase customer service and satisfaction. “2020 Vision” programme, new clients in new sectors, international development, new 8.0 version of software, machine learning pilots, development of FM Cloud Services and entry in the “Financial Times: 1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Company 2017” ranking!
The company is changing, so is the FM Day. The traditional event will not take place in 2017 but in 2018 with a new format that better reflects the transformation of the company.
In the meanwhile, come meet our team of experts at the Supply Chain Event 2017 on the 7-8 of November in Paris and find out more about Bonduelle and the Avril group supply chain transformation programmes, based on FuturMaster solutions.
2020 OBJECTIVES
FuturMaster continues to advance along its 2020 Vision initiative that was launched last year. The new vision stands on three pillars: innovation, acceleration of international development and opening of new offices, and penetration into new business sectors (retail, e-commerce, transport, manufacturing of spare parts, etc.)…
By 2020 our target is to increase our number of employees from 150 today to approximately 250/300 professionals. Today FuturMaster has more than 40 openings to fill in R&D, Consulting, Marketing and Sales across Europe and Asia.
Company’s dynamism has been recognised by its entry in the “Financial Times 1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies 2017“ ranking.
NEWS CLIENTS, NEW SECTORS
FuturMaster reinforces its position as a leader in the Food & Beverage and Cosmetics industries with new clients within these sectors. The most recent additions to include: Nuxe, market leader in natural cosmetics; Daunat, leader in the sandwich market; Haribo, N°1 confectioner in Europe; Poult Group, leading European private label biscuit manufacturer; and in the UK, TSC Foods, specialist in frozen ready meals.
FuturMaster is also expanding its presence in retail and e-commerce sectors. “Finding themselves faced with the fall in consumption, retailers are looking for planning, allocation, replenishment and forecasting solutions that are more sophisticated than those they currently use, many of which are in-house tools” notes Michel Ramis, EVP Sales & Marketing at FuturMaster. In May this year, FuturMaster signed a deal with Lecasud, the central buying department of Leclerc group (the largest retailer in France). Lecasud’s transformation project includes sales forecasting at store level and allocation and replenishment management. Additionally, FuturMaster has also signed with one of the leading optical e-retailers in the UK.
At the same time, FuturMaster is also developing in new markets such as the seed industry, household appliances, electrical products, packaging and OEM industry. FuturMaster is pleased to welcome, Vilmorin, the 4th largest seed producer in the world and a subsidiary of Limagrain group, Sharp, Ball Corporation and Faiveley Transport to its client portfolio.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FuturMaster continues its international development by strengthening its presence in Northern Europe, United Kingdom and Asia.
Michel Stekelenburg joined FuturMaster as Northern Europe Sales Director and will be looking after developing FuturMaster operations in Northern Europe: the Netherlands, Benelux, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
After office opening in Birmingham, FuturMaster UK continues its transformation by developing its local team to offer the highest level of service to its clients. Richard House will take on the role of Senior Solution Architect and will continue to closely collaborate with clients throughout their projects. Steve Diggines will be responsible for the UK Consulting team. An Oxford graduate, Steve has over 18 years of experience in supply chain with major international groups such as Deloitte, Atos and Factora.
With an opening of the new office in Shanghai, FuturMaster was able to strengthen its position in Asia- Pacific. Four new clients were signed in the region: Danone Waters China, Inghams, Australia and New Zealand’s top poultry producer, AkzoNobel Group in Singapore, a leading global paints and performance coatings company and major producer of speciality chemicals, and Chinese e-retailer Heaven Gifts.
NEW 8.0 SOFTWARE
Planned to be released at the end of this year, the new 8.0 version is part of the dynamic project set to improve user experience. At the heart of the new look & feel of the software is the flat design revamp. As a result: the new screen will improve in modernity and user experience.
Among the other developments, the Analyser will become full-web based and will include in-memory technologies to deliver increased performance. The Analyser will also improve collaborative processes within companies through integrated workflows and comment management features.
The new 8.0 version is part of a continuous improvement process to optimise the user experience of FuturMaster’s solutions and reinforce innovation through new technologies and more intelligence.
MACHINE LEARNING PILOTS
FuturMaster is taking a close interest in machine learning and how it can help make intelligent decisions in complex demand management issues.
The company has invested since 2016 in R&D initiatives which are already showing promising results.
Building on this early success, FuturMaster will soon move on to the next stage by launching pilot projects in collaboration with customers in France and in the UK.
FM CLOUD SERVICES
The FM Cloud Services offer is on the rise among our clients. Scalable, it allows elimination or minimization of up-front IT and infrastructure investments.
Other advantages: FM Cloud Services facilitate adoption of FuturMaster’s solutions and increase user experience and performance. Contact our sales teams for more information and to subscribe to our services!
HEINEKEN: ‘PLANNING OUR FUTURE’
Heineken presented their transformation programme in demand and supply planning, supported by FuturMaster’s solutions at the Gartner Supply Chain Executive Conference 2017 in London. The participants showed great interest in the presentation which was among the most attended of the conference.
Watch our video to find out more about Heineken’s ambitious programme.The objectives are to increase sustainability and improve business performance in more than 30 operating companies around the globe.
SUPPLY CHAIN EVENT 2017
PARIS, 7-8 NOV
FuturMaster is a key partner of the Supply Chain Event 2017 taking place on the 7th and 8th of November in Paris, France.
Come and listen to our client testimonials from Bonduelle and the Avril group who will be presenting their supply chain transformation programme, based on FuturMaster solutions and meet our team of experts at booth no B26!
EVENTS
