Driving Operational Excellence in FMCG: Fyna Foods' Data Transformation

Driving Operational Excellence in FMCG: Fyna Foods' Data Transformation

Fyna Foods, an iconic Australian confectionery brand, transformed its operations by replacing outdated systems with cutting-edge data analytics. Here’s how they did it.

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Fyna Foods Australia, one of the nation’s oldest confectionery producers, has been crafting sweet treats since the 1940s - including iconic legends such as Wizz Fizz, Big Boss and Musk Stix. Faced with the challenges of outdated, siloed technology, the organisation sought Notitia to help modernise its operations and unlock the full potential of its data.

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The Challenge: Breaking Free from Legacy Systems

Like many established manufacturers, Fyna Foods found itself constrained by:

• Outdated on-premise servers requiring constant maintenance and IT resources
• Manual reporting processes that consumed valuable time and introduced human error
• Data silos preventing cross-departmental collaboration and unified decision-making
• Limited visibility into operational performance metrics across production and supply chain
• Inefficient resource allocation due to lack of real-time data access
• Difficulty responding to market dynamics, especially with volatile commodity prices

These limitations weren't just technical inconveniences—they were actively hindering the company's ability to respond to market demands and maintain their competitive edge in the fast-moving FMCG sector. For a company with Fyna Foods' legacy and market position, addressing these challenges was crucial to securing their future in an increasingly data-driven industry.

The Solution: A Strategic Partnership for Transformation

Recognising the need for change, Fyna Foods partnered with Notitia to implement Qlik Cloud® Analytics—transforming how they access, analyse, and act on data. Through Notitia's innovative "CIO-as-a-Service" model, Fyna Foods gained not just a technology implementation partner, but a strategic adviser who understood the unique challenges of the FMCG industry.

This approach provided:

• Strategic technology oversight without the expense of a full-time CIO
• Industry-specific expertise tailored to FMCG manufacturing requirements
• End-to-end project management ensuring seamless implementation
• Change management support to drive adoption across all levels
• Ongoing guidance to maximise ROI from their data investments

The partnership focused on creating sustainable, long-term value rather than just implementing new software—addressing both immediate pain points and building capabilities for future growth.

With these challenges in mind, Fyna Foods needed a solution that would modernise its reporting and future-proof its operations.

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By partnering with Notitia and implementing Qlik Cloud Analytics, Fyna Foods gained the ability to:

• Break down data silos for better transparency and collaboration across teams.
• Automate reporting processes, reducing manual tasks and improving accuracy.
• Access a single, unified view of operational data for faster, informed decision-making.

Notitia brought their strategic expertise through their "CIO-as-a-Service" model, ensuring Fyna Foods had both technical oversight and a seamless project delivery. By tailoring solutions to the FMCG landscape, Notitia addressed the operational nuances that Fyna Foods faced while ensuring compliance with evolving industry standards.

Qlik allowed Fyna Foods to:

• Identify operational bottlenecks and streamline workflows.
• Forecast demand with greater precision, ensuring timely stock replenishment.
• Monitor and optimise production performance across all departments.
• Improve cost analysis and resource allocation to maximise financial outcomes.

Data visualisation tools for Organisational Data Literacy

One of the standout features was the integration of data visualisation tools, which provided intuitive dashboards for employees at all levels. These dashboards displayed real-time metrics on TVs and whiteboards, making data accessible and actionable for factory floor staff and executives alike. This visibility enabled teams to:

• Track production line efficiency and address inefficiencies immediately.
• Monitor sales and distribution trends to ensure timely delivery to customers.
• Use predictive analytics to manage inventory and avoid overproduction.

Tackling FMCG Challenges with analytics

The adoption of Qlik Cloud® Analytics also positioned Fyna Foods to tackle challenges in the global cocoa market, where price surges demanded agile decision-making. By leveraging Qlik’s powerful dashboards, the company could monitor cash flow, compare forecasts with actual usage, and adjust procurement strategies proactively:

• Global cocoa price surges, which required agile decision-making
• Supply chain disruptions, where forecasting and procurement strategies needed constant adjustment
• Departmental silos, which hindered fast response times

By embracing a data-driven culture, teams at all levels became more engaged, fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Notitia’s emphasis on empowering employees with data created a cultural shift within Fyna Foods. Teams at all levels became more engaged with their work, fostering a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

By breaking down data silos, the company improved communication between departments, enabling quicker responses to market demands and customer needs.

Fyna Foods’ Business Operations Manager, Daniel Janka, described the transformation as a game-changer:

"What we have been able to do is align our data with our lean manufacturing model and give people the right tools to do the job. The people on the floor are more empowered to make decisions because we feel more comfortable backing it up with data and the funds that need to be spent to do it. It’s giving us that confidence."

Alex Avery, Managing Director at Notitia, highlighted the broader impact:

"This project showcases how Qlik not only transforms the way businesses operate but also strengthens their long-term strategic direction, making it the go-to solution for organisations looking to innovate and stay ahead of the curve."

Delivering Value Through Partnership

Notitia’s commitment to delivering measurable outcomes ensured that Fyna Foods could:

• Achieve operational efficiency by reducing manual reporting time from a week to a single day.
• Save costs by moving to a cloud-based solution that eliminates the need for expensive on-premise infrastructure.
• Foster collaboration across departments with real-time data access and transparency.
• Scale their data capabilities to support future growth and innovation.

As Pierre du Preez, Notitia Director, observed:

"The impact of the project is a very engaged organisation that better understands their data and how to use it. Using data to identify issues and having the team identify those issues themselves made the change management aspect really easy."

Fyna Foods’ digital transformation journey demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships and innovative data solutions.

By collaborating with Notitia and adopting Qlik Cloud® Analytics the company has set a new benchmark for operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making in the FMCG sector.

Real-World Results: From Data to Decisions

The transformation went beyond simply deploying new technology. By implementing Qlik Cloud Analytics with Notitia's guidance, Fyna Foods achieved:

1. Dramatic Efficiency Improvements

Reporting processes that once took an entire week now complete in just one day, freeing staff to focus on value-adding activities rather than manual data collection. Reducing manual reporting time "from a week to a single day" translates directly to increased productivity and faster decision cycles.

2. Factory Floor Empowerment

Real-time metrics displayed on TVs and dashboards throughout production areas enable workers to identify and address inefficiencies immediately—no waiting for weekly reports or management directives. This visibility has transformed the production environment into a truly data-driven operation.

3. Agile Response to Market Volatility

With the global cocoa market experiencing price surges, Fyna Foods now leverages their data platform to monitor cash flow, compare forecasts with actual usage, and adjust procurement strategies proactively. This capability has proven invaluable amid supply chain disruptions and commodity price fluctuations.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

By breaking down data silos, teams across departments now work from a single source of truth, improving communication and enabling faster responses to both challenges and opportunities. This unified view has eliminated the "different versions of the truth" problem that previously hampered decision-making.

5. Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility

The solution provided end-to-end visibility across the supply chain, allowing Fyna Foods to optimise inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and improve relationships with suppliers through more accurate forecasting and planning.

6. Cost Optimisation

By moving to a cloud-based solution, Fyna Foods eliminated the need for expensive on-premise infrastructure, reducing IT maintenance costs while gaining scalability to support future growth initiatives.

If you’re an FMCG leader seeking to modernise your operations and achieve similar results, Notitia is ready to help. Let’s chat about how we can help you unlock the full potential of your data and drive meaningful change in your business.

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