From forecasting challenges to a need for greater efficiency and sustainability
As a global leader in the confectionery industry, Perfetti Van Melle operates in over 150 markets with a highly complex supply chain. In this context, accurate forecasting is critical to balance production efficiency, inventory levels, and sustainability objectives.
Previously, fragmented data, manual activities, and limited model flexibility made it difficult to generate reliable forecasts. Forecast inaccuracies, with error margins reaching 3.6%, led to excess inventory and product obsolescence, increasing write-offs and waste along the value chain.
At the same time, the company faced growing pressure to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and support strategic decision-making with consistent and trustworthy data.
Redesigning financial planning as a strategic capability
BearingPoint supported Perfetti Van Melle Italy in redesigning its financial planning model built on Anaplan platform, starting with a detailed diagnostic of existing processes and tools. The initiative focused on simplifying model logic, improving data consistency, and introducing advanced planning capabilities to support more accurate revenue and cost forecasts. Monthly forecasting was fully integrated with mid- and long-term planning, creating a shared and reliable data foundation for Finance and Marketing teams.
To ensure long-term success, BearingPoint guided the organization through a seamless transition to the new Anaplan interface, providing finance teams with cleaner and more intuitive experiences. Using a train-the-trainer model, BearingPoint empowered internal staff to independently maintain and enhance the solution, laying the groundwork for a future Center of Excellence. BearingPoint acted as a true partner beyond the technical delivery by refining processes, introducing new ways of working, and strengthening alignment across the organization.
Turning planning excellence into strategic and financial results
The transformed planning environment has delivered concrete and measurable results. More accurate forecasts directly contributed to a 63.5% reduction in write-offs of finished products and raw materials, significantly lowering waste and excess stock. The new approach progressively improved forecast accuracy year after year, reducing error margins from 3.6% in 2023 to 1.0% in 2024, and further down to 0.3% in 2025.
Planning cycle times have been reduced by approximately 40%, freeing up resources to focus on strategic analysis rather than operational tasks. Overall, Perfetti Van Melle Italy has significantly reduced products sitting idle in warehouses and excess inventory, enabling a more efficient use of financial resources and generating a positive impact on sustainability through reduced waste across the entire value chain. The scalability of the model has already enabled its extension beyond Italy, positioning financial planning as a key enabler of sustainable growth across the Group.
Transforming financial planning means directly improving both business quality and sustainability. This project is the result of a journey built together with Perfetti Van Melle Italy, based on continuous dialogue and growing mutual trust. We collaborated to develop a solid and scalable model capable of generating long-term value by integrating technology and process, overcoming fragmented data management and creating a single, reliable source of truth.
Gianluca Sacchi, Consumer, Retail & Lifestyle Lead, BearingPoint Italy
Perfetti Van Melle
Perfetti Van Melle is a major global producer and marketer of confectionery and chewing gum, with operations spanning over 150 countries. The company’s well-known brands, such as Mentos, Chupa Chups, Alpenliebe, and Fruittella, are enjoyed by people around the world. Established in 2001 from the acquisition of the Dutch Van Melle by the Italian Perfetti Group, it has become a prominent innovator in the confectionery sector.
