Digital transformation isn’t just about implementing new technologies – it’s about creating sustainable business improvements. For the UK’s largest poultry supplier, 2 Sisters Food Group, the goal was clear: “reduce the time and cost associated with repetitive, manual tasks in their shared services”.
But achieving this required a solution that was both versatile and scalable. That’s where Mendix’s low-code platform and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) came into play.
Identifying the Need for Automation in a High-Volume Industry
Operating across 42 sites with some 23,000 employees, 2 Sisters Food Group faced a common challenge in manufacturing: labour-intensive data entry and reporting tasks, such as invoice processing and account management. These manual processes were eating up valuable time that could have been spent on more strategic activities, and the risk of human error was high.
Recognising this as a barrier to efficiency, 2 Sisters explored options that would not only automate these processes but also empower their existing workforce to focus on value-added work. The solution had to integrate seamlessly with their existing systems while being adaptable to the complex requirements of a large-scale food producer. They knew the potential was there – if they could eliminate just a few hours of manual work each day, the benefits could be exponential.
The Solution: Bringing Agility to the Production Line with Mendix and RPA
After evaluating different technologies, 2 Sisters selected Mendix’s low-code platform, which allows for rapid application development and easy integration with existing IT infrastructure. By combining Mendix with RPA technology, with the help of Mendix partner AuraQ, they built a custom app in just four weeks that could streamline their data entry processes. The app structured the data for RPA bots, which then performed high-volume entries into the company’s ERP system – eliminating tedious manual work and reducing the risk of data inconsistencies.
This initial application became a game-changer. Within just six weeks, 2 Sisters had moved from being 100% manual to 97% automated in their key transactional processes. This shift not only resulted in smoother operations but also laid the groundwork for long-term financial savings.
Why Low-Code Was the Right Choice
The success of their first automation project inspired the shared services team to explore more ways to leverage Mendix for other manual processes. Mendix’s low-code environment offered the flexibility to accommodate complex data handling, all while allowing the team to quickly deploy and iterate on their applications.
With each new app built, the business saw incremental gains. For example, developing over 300 customer remittance templates in just three months streamlined their invoicing processes and drastically reduced manual data entry requirements.
This rapid development process showcased three critical advantages of low-code:
- Employee Empowerment: With 2.5 hours saved daily through improved data preparation, employees were able to redirect their efforts toward more strategic projects, enhancing job satisfaction and overall productivity
- Flexibility: The low-code environment enabled 2 Sisters to quickly build and deploy applications, reducing development time and allowing for quick adaptations as new business requirements emerged.
- Scalability: As automation opportunities grew, Mendix’s scalability ensured that additional processes could be automated seamlessly.
Achieving Tangible Results
The impact of this low-code automation initiative was felt almost immediately. The shared services team reported that the time saved on manual data entry alone translated into faster processing times and enhanced service quality.
By reducing the percentage of invoices requiring manual verification from 65% to just 8%, the team was able to eliminate bottlenecks that previously slowed down operations. The automation success led to annual savings of £250,000 and a shift in focus from routine administrative tasks to more impactful work, such as analysing costs and identifying process improvements
Transforming More Than Processes: Empowering People
While poultry remains the core of 2 Sisters’ business, their shared services centre now delivers another commodity: data. With automation in place, employees who initially viewed technology as a potential threat to their jobs have embraced the change. Now, instead of spending hours on repetitive data entry, they contribute to the company’s broader digital transformation strategy.
This transformation story exemplifies how low-code, combined with RPA, can not only boost efficiency but also elevate the role of employees in driving business growth. As 2 Sisters continues to scale their automation efforts, the benefits will only multiply.
How Kudos Solutions Can Help Manufacturers Navigate Digital Transformation
For food and beverage manufacturers, operational efficiency is key to staying competitive in a fast-paced market. Manual processes slow down production, inflate costs, and leave businesses vulnerable to errors and inconsistencies. At Kudos Solutions, we bring our extensive experience in digital transformation to the Mendix low-code platform, helping manufacturers streamline operations, boost productivity, and improve overall agility.
Are your manual processes holding your business back? It’s time to unlock the potential of low-code automation. Get in touch with our team to find out how we can support your digital transformation journey and help you embrace innovation, one process at a time.
