Predictive Analytics

"Big Data" is well on its way to becoming the consumer goods industry's biggest buzzword in 2012. Beneath the hype, retailers are also beginning measured experiments in Big Data, which could spur growth in harnessing strategies over the next 12-24 months, according to new industry research.

When store supplies for Kimberly-Clark's retail partners are out of synch with production forecasts, it can have a very real impact on the $20.8 billion personal care products giant's sales. So, the company invested in data analytics software to provide far more visibility into real-time demand trends.

CPG company executives are increasingly looking for the tangible business case benefits of changing, upgrading or merging their core ERP system and related business capabilities.

CooperVision products are sourced through very complex multi-level networks and, until recently, the company lacked a fully integrated view of global operations. It chose a solution to create a company-wide common supply chain platform.

For Nestle, Direct Store Delivery, pizza and ice cream are seasonal and promotion-driven, and variety has exploded in recent years. So, it turned to demand-driven forecasting to achieve bottom-line improvements.

This month, Robert Byrne, president and CEO of Terra Technology, provides his perspective on how supply chains have evolved and what it will take to stay ahead of the curve.

The release of the ranking coincides with Nestl Mexico obtaining 85 percent of its electrical energy needs from wind power.