AZAP, publisher and integrator of software for controlling and optimizing Supply Chain flows which contributes to improving the economic and environmental performance of companies, has been supporting LIFE SCIENTIFIC for a year in optimizing its production planning to support its high increase. The first conclusive milestone of a partnership which should be long-lasting with the launch of a new stage: the implementation of the AZAP Forecasts on demand module. LIFE SCIENTIFIC develops, approves and distributes generic off-patent phytosanitary products – herbicides, fungicides and insecticides – to help French agricultural cooperatives protect their crops. Drawing on its market approach which is based on a partnership with more than 200 French cooperatives via INVIVO, its 50% shareholder, the company aims to offer a complete range of solutions at the best price, while guaranteeing security of supply. .
Better plan production to support the growth of LIFE SCIENTIFIC
LIFE SCIENTIFIC, which already distributes its products in many European countries including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany and Switzerland, records an annual turnover of 70 million euros. The company plans to increase the number of its references and partners, but also to continue its expansion, particularly in Italy, Eastern Europe and across the Atlantic. In order to support its strong growth and its development ambitions, while maintaining the quality of its supplies as well as the satisfaction of its subcontractors and its customers, the company called on AZAP’s expertise in production planning. multi-site. LIFE SCIENTIFIC works with a dozen subcontractors, some managing a single formulation, others around ten, resulting in several packaging and products per country, for a total exceeding 200 finished product references. Subcontracted production planning was managed via an Excel file. The file was only controlled by one person, which was risky. In addition, she had to spend a lot of time compiling data, to the detriment of analyzes with higher added value.
The Supply Chain, a key element in the development of LIFE SCIENTIFIC
To increase agility, LIFE SCIENTIFIC has established a back-up for each subcontractor, which increases the number of partners and interactions with them. Faced with the rapid evolution of the company and the increase in production, the Excel method quickly reached its limits. After testing other solutions which did not prove satisfactory, the LIFE SCIENTIFIC team considered turning to AZAP to implement a reliable and integrated production planning tool. “We were quickly attracted by AZAP’s specialization in terms of Supply Chain, which quickly offered us a prototype using our own data, which allowed us to plan easily. Then, AZAP showed itself capable of providing us with numerous data, decision support tools and analyzes with high added value, in an automated manner. Our teams therefore save valuable time, while having access to more complete and better quality information,” explains Omar Chirou, Subcontracting and Procurement Manager at LIFE SCIENTIFIC. Implementation was effective in September 2022. The teams took into account the constraints of peak activity in autumn and spring to establish a realistic schedule together. The tool was thus able to be used without disrupting the company’s activity.
Expertise with multiple benefits
“We wanted a tool that was simple, practical and usable by everyone, meeting extremely specific needs. Thanks to training provided by AZAP experts to ensure proper handling of the tool, this is done. Today, several employees are able to manage planning. The teams understand the constraints and challenges more easily, and feel more involved. They can devote themselves to tasks with higher added value, and thus increase their skills,” explains Omar Chirou, Subcontracting and Procurement Manager at LIFE SCIENTIFIC. And added: “Errors are becoming rarer. The AZAP tool alerts us in the event of a potential problem, such as a supply disruption for example. AZAP also provides us with permanent support in the event of any questions or blockages.” “It is now easier for us to plan for the long term, which is greatly appreciated by our subcontractors, who benefit from better visibility. The key is also better customer satisfaction,” observes Omar Chirou, Subcontracting and Procurement Manager at LIFE SCIENTIFIC.
Flexible support that lasts over time
“Since the beginning of our collaboration, we have been keen to provide LIFE SCIENTIFIC with tailor-made support. On the technical level, first, with the software solutions for managing Supply Chain flows that are best suited to the needs of the company and the many specificities of its market, which is subject to strong regulatory constraints. But also and above all on a human level, by working together with teams to support change management in the short, medium and long term. To do this, we draw on our extensive experience in managing industrial planning projects,” explains Fabien Grattepain, Managing Director of AZAP. The solutions offered by AZAP demonstrate flexibility and are modular, which has also won over LIFE SCIENTIFIC. Customers can call on one or more modules in any order they wish. It is indeed rather unusual to start with production planning. However, it is the option that proved to be the most suitable for LIFE SCIENTIFIC. Several new stages are looming, starting with the Demand Forecasting module, the implementation of which should be completed very soon. The choice of S&OP scenarios based on environmental criteria as well as the Warehouse Supply module are also of interest to LIFE SCIENTIFIC “LIFE SCIENTIFIC is involved internally in reducing its CO2 emissions. We are able to support the company in the modeling of the different flows and the calculation of carbon footprint indicators for the Supply Chain (transport and storage), the optimization of planning scenarios integrating the environmental cost and the use of environmental indicators in S&OP processes”, concludes Fabien Grattepain, General Director of AZAP.
