Sara Lee Boosts BPO Initiative; Opens Training Academy
Sara Lee Corp. announces its intent to outsource pieces of its North American and European Finance (transaction processing) and Global Information Services (applications development and maintenance) groups, as well as the company's global indirect procurement activities. This effort is an important component of Sara Lee's "Accelerate" initiative, the company's series of global projects designed to drive annualized benefits of $200 million to $250 million in the next three years. As a result, approximately 700 positions, including roles currently performed by contractors, would become redundant.
"'Project Accelerate' is designed to improve margins and drive shareholder value as we continue to build the long-term strength of the company," says Brenda Barnes, chairman and chief executive officer, Sara Lee Corp. "In addition to the cost savings, business process outsourcing will help Sara Lee further drive standardization, increase efficiency and provide flexibility."
Sara Lee is also opening its new Douwe Egberts Cafitesse Academy in Joure, the Netherlands. Through an interactive experience, the training center will educate employees about Sara Lee's liquid coffee solution, or Cafitesse. Joure was the birthplace of the Douwe Egberts brand in 1753. It is still one of Sara Lee's main coffee plant locations.
Some key brand names include Douwe Egberts, Maison du Cafe, Marcilla and Merrild. The Cafitesse Academy will educate employees on the full coffee experience. Not only will participants hear about coffee, they will also be able to see, smell and taste it, find out how it is produced, and develop their own coffee blends. To turn them into true coffee experts, different coffee systems will be compared in terms of taste, user friendliness, efficiency and maintenance.
"'Project Accelerate' is designed to improve margins and drive shareholder value as we continue to build the long-term strength of the company," says Brenda Barnes, chairman and chief executive officer, Sara Lee Corp. "In addition to the cost savings, business process outsourcing will help Sara Lee further drive standardization, increase efficiency and provide flexibility."
Sara Lee is also opening its new Douwe Egberts Cafitesse Academy in Joure, the Netherlands. Through an interactive experience, the training center will educate employees about Sara Lee's liquid coffee solution, or Cafitesse. Joure was the birthplace of the Douwe Egberts brand in 1753. It is still one of Sara Lee's main coffee plant locations.
Some key brand names include Douwe Egberts, Maison du Cafe, Marcilla and Merrild. The Cafitesse Academy will educate employees on the full coffee experience. Not only will participants hear about coffee, they will also be able to see, smell and taste it, find out how it is produced, and develop their own coffee blends. To turn them into true coffee experts, different coffee systems will be compared in terms of taste, user friendliness, efficiency and maintenance.