Beyond Thirst Quenchers: Swire Coca-Cola’s Digital Play Redefines CX

Swire Coca-Cola has embarked on a significant digital transformation journey. The beverage giant, responsible for quenching the thirst of millions with its diverse portfolio of 60 brands, has successfully implemented SAP S/4HANA, a cutting-edge enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

This move marks a significant milestone in Swire Coca-Cola’s quest to streamline its complex operations and stay ahead in the fiercely competitive beverage industry. With a franchise population exceeding 956 million customers, the company needed a robust solution to optimize its manufacturing, sourcing, financing, customer ordering, warehousing, and delivery processes.

SAP S/4HANA, with its real-time data processing capabilities and advanced analytics, has provided Swire Coca-Cola with the agility and insights needed to tackle current challenges and seize future opportunities. The company can now enjoy a 360-degree view of its operations, enabling better decision-making and improved customer service.

“At Swire Coca-Cola, we strive for collective success by consistently supporting our employees, partners, community, and the planet,” says Matthew C.M. Wong, general manager for digital & IT in South East Asia, Hong Kong & Taiwan at Swire Coca-Cola Limited. “Having the right partner to deliver exceptional results is imperative as they strive to understand our unique needs, provide innovative solutions, and consistently exceed our expectations.”

Wong lauded the SAP Customer Services & Delivery Greater China team for their seamless integration of the solution into Swire Coca-Cola’s existing systems. The implementation process, while complex, was handled with expertise and efficiency, ensuring minimal disruption to the company’s operations.

“We are delighted to take the lead to transition Swire Coca-Cola’s ERP to SAP S/4HANA,” says Yee-Ching Wang, head of customer services & delivery at SAP Greater China. “SAP S/4HANA is the ideal platform to support such a complex and vast operation while minimizing disruption, maximizing efficiency, and providing cross-functional visibility to better serve Swire Coca-Cola’s customer base and seize new opportunities in Hong Kong.”

The successful implementation of SAP S/4HANA has enhanced Swire Coca-Cola’s operational efficiency and positioned the company for future growth and innovation. With real-time data at its fingertips, Swire Coca-Cola can respond quickly to market changes, optimize its supply chain, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Esmond Tong, managing director at SAP Hong Kong and Macau, emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to drive business transformation: “With SAP S/4HANA’s comprehensive capabilities and scalability, companies can adjust the scope and pace of their transformation to align with business strategies and adapt to fast-changing market conditions.”

Bottom line

Swire Coca-Cola’s move is a bold declaration: in the cutthroat beverage industry, digital mastery is no longer optional; it’s essential for survival. This aggressive adoption of SAP S/4HANA sends a clear signal to competitors — adapt or be left behind.

More than just streamlining operations, Swire is betting on data as its new secret ingredient, which will allow them to anticipate consumer needs, optimize their supply chain down to the last drop, and ultimately, dictate the future of how we quench our thirst.

Image credit: iStockphoto/Sirapat