Bridgestone Advances Operations with SAP S/4HANA Upgrade

To enhance its operational efficiency and future-readiness, Bridgestone has completed an SAP S/4HANA upgrade with consulting support from Bluecrux, a value chain and technology firm.

Bridgestone’s move to SAP S/4HANA comes as part of a strategic update to its enterprise resource planning (ERP) capabilities, replacing an aging system due for support phase-out in 2027. The SAP S/4HANA platform, known for real-time data processing and advanced analytics, is expected to bring significant operational efficiencies across Bridgestone’s global network. The upgrade was aimed at unifying Bridgestone’s business processes, thus improving productivity and responsiveness to market changes.

With the support of Bluecrux, Bridgestone deployed SAP S/4HANA across its operations, covering 3,800 users at nine manufacturing sites and eight regional sales areas worldwide. Bluecrux’s engagement included thorough on-site assistance across 20 strategic locations, ensuring the ERP system’s smooth integration. Their support involved daily reporting on system performance and issue resolution, enabling Bridgestone to tackle any potential disruptions effectively during the initial stages of the upgrade. This proactive approach by Bluecrux helped minimize downtime and facilitated a seamless transition to the new system.

Harmonizing Processes Through SAP S/4HANA Upgrade

The SAP S/4HANA system has since enabled Bridgestone to streamline various aspects of its business, including its supply chain, financial processes, and response capabilities. By centralizing and enhancing process visibility, Bridgestone intends to achieve better alignment across its global operations. This centralized data infrastructure enables more accurate forecasting, more rapid financial reporting, and improved response times to dynamic market demands. The improved analytics and reporting features of SAP S/4HANA are seen as essential tools for Bridgestone’s ongoing and future digital transformation initiatives.

Donald Connally, Bridgestone’s RYOGA Program Manager, explained that Bluecrux’s understanding of supply chain complexities and its direct support on the ground helped Bridgestone manage this extensive ERP shift. According to Connally, the close involvement of Bluecrux’s team throughout the upgrade has been crucial in achieving Bridgestone’s operational goals and ensuring the system’s success.

The collaboration between Bridgestone and Bluecrux on the SAP S/4HANA upgrade reflects a deep-rooted partnership built over a decade. Over the years, the two companies have worked closely on multiple supply chain transformation projects, including production planning, demand forecasting, and a global strategy for Advanced Planning Systems (APS). This extensive shared history enabled both companies to approach the recent SAP S/4HANA upgrade with established trust and coordinated expertise, laying the groundwork for a streamlined deployment process.

Anneleen Tronquo, Managing Partner of Planning Solutions at Bluecrux, highlighted the commitment and mutual understanding that define their relationship with Bridgestone. She noted that the success of this SAP S/4HANA upgrade exemplifies Bluecrux’s role in supporting Bridgestone’s long-term goals for process enhancement and technological advancement.

As Bridgestone continues to operate on SAP S/4HANA, Bluecrux is expected to provide sustained support to ensure that Bridgestone leverages the system’s full potential in its digital transformation journey. This ongoing assistance will likely include monitoring system performance, addressing new challenges, and supporting future ERP expansions or customizations.

The SAP S/4HANA implementation is a testament to both companies’ commitment to continuous improvement. By aligning technology with business needs, Bridgestone and Bluecrux aim to drive further innovations and improvements in Bridgestone’s global operations.