Complexica Pty Ltd, a leading provider of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software for supply & demand optimisation, announced today that Pernod Ricard Winemakers has achieved additional go-lives with Complexica’s Decision Cloud® software platform within its New Zealand and Australian wineries, including its largest winery at Rowland Flat in the Barossa. The company also announced that it had signed a contract with the global winemaker for phase 2 of the supply chain optimization project.
Whereas Phase 1 of the project focused on the digitalisation of business processes and optimization of planning and scheduling activities within winery, finished goods, and bottling operations, Phase 2 will focus on the optimization of vintage-related activities in terms of harvesting and transporting grapes into wineries for intake and crushing. The intent of the overall project – which is Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ largest global technology project – is to transition the business away from paper, whiteboard, and spreadsheet-based systems, towards Complexica’s cloud-based applications for planning, scheduling, and push/pull optimisation.
Complexica co-founders (from left to right) Constantin Chiriac, Matt Michalewicz, and Dr. Zbigniew Michalewicz
"Following the rollout of the latest Complexica modules across the Australia and New Zealand wineries, Phase 1 results show the benefit of digitalizing to create real-time visibility which opens the door to smarter optimization,” said Simon Bennett, Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ CIO. “That the go live was achieved, despite the challenges of lockdowns, is a credit to the effort and effectiveness of the joint Pernod Ricard Winemakers and Complexica team. Phase 2 addresses the other side of the equation through the winery intake processes and I am delighted to continue the partnership with Complexica on this strategic project. “
Pernod Ricard wine tanks in the Barossa Valley, South Australia
“Supply chains that process agricultural products and transform them into finished consumer goods through multiple, complex steps are notoriously more difficult to plan, schedule, and optimize in comparison to classical, assembly-style supply chains, with major themes being the management of capacity, variability, and quality,” said Matt Michalewicz, CEO of Complexica. “Despite these challenges, the commencement of phase 2 marks a major milestone in realizing the end-state vision of optimised decision-making across the Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ global supply chain, and we look forward to continuing this project this year and throughout 2022.”
Pernod Ricard Winemakers is the premium wine division of Pernod Ricard and boasts one of the world’s most diverse portfolios of premium wines such as Jacob’s Creek in Australia, Brancott Estate in New Zealand, Campo Viejo from Spain and Kenwood Vineyards & Mumm Napa in California. Pernod Ricard Winemakers employs more than 1,700 people and sets the benchmark in winemaking through innovation, craftsmanship and authenticity. For more information please visit: www.pernod-ricard-winemakers.com
