Bimbo Bakeries Taps Predictive Ordering to Minimize Waste
Bimbo Bakeries USA is investing in predictive ordering to help improve forecast errors to minimize waste, improve organizational operations, and empower its front-line teams.
The company has partnered with Antuit.ai (owned by Zebra Technologies) to leverage its technology for Bimbo's direct-store delivery operations. The investment has enabled Bimbo Bakeries, owned by the No. 32 consumer goods company Grupo Bimbo, to minimize waste in its search for the “Perfect Order,” reducing forecasting errors by up to 30%, according to Antuit.
This in turn has allowed them to preserve a forecasting efficiency, despite enduring the volatility brought on by the pandemic, of over 80% for over five years, the solution provider said.
With 59 bakeries and an employee base of over 20,000 associates, Bimbo Bakeries is leveraging the solution to help maintain product freshness and availability throughout its offerings while streamlining its partnership with planners and route operators. Bimbo Bakeries operates over 60 manufacturing locations and 11,000 distribution routes throughout the United States.
Morgan Smith, VP, direct store delivery center of excellence, Bimbo Bakeries USA, said in a statement that the technology has let the company achieve a significant step-change in both its order accuracy and organizational productivity.
"And the best part is that we did not have to wait years to feel the business impact," Smith added.
Bimbo Bakeries Growth Strategies
Bimbo Bakeries expanded its operations during the pandemic, including entering the direct-to-consumer space when it launched SweetSnacking.com.
The site allowed customers to purchase pre-made boxes from their leading brands like Sara Lee, Entenmann’s, Takis, and Thomas’ while providing them with valuable consumer insights they can use for product development.
In early July, Bimbo Bakeries purchased Twin City-based bagel company National Choice Bakery, which specializes in fresh, frozen, refrigerated, and thaw-sell bagels. They will take over their 66,000-square-foot facility in St. Paul, MN as part of the transaction.
