How KWS is mastering the S/4 balancing act

The project S/4HANA will enable us to identify market trends at an early stage, actively drive innovation, and expand our competitiveness in a targeted manner. Another very practical reason is that support for the previous SAP system will expire in the coming years, so a changeover is not only sensible but also necessary in order to continue working on a future-proof platform.

For many, the start of the project was a leap into the unknown. Dr. Reiner Almstedt, Head of Sales Operations at Agromais GmbH, recalls: “Managing the diverse project requirements alongside our day-to-day business was extremely challenging – especially since we had already been in the project phase for over a year.” Bianka Andrejkovicsová, Sales and Project Coordinator at KWS in Hungary, also reports how the usual routines suddenly no longer worked: “With S/4HANA, many things became more modern, but not automatically easier. We had to completely relearn many processes, and we’re still adapting.” For Nico Breckerbohm, Expert Controlling Master Data Management at KWS, balancing the project with ongoing tasks was one of the biggest challenges: “It requires a lot of focus and a willingness to support each other.”

Overcoming challenges together

The global template approach in particular posed challenges for the team. “Some of our processes weren’t fully covered in the template, which was really demanding for us,” Reiner reports. Bianka adds: “Even routines had to be rethought.” There were times when it wasn’t clear how the next steps would work out, especially when the go-live was postponed. This made it all the more important to battle on and stick together. Nico also emphasizes: “It’s important to remain realistic, address concerns openly and get actively involved – this is the only way to succeed with change.”

These difficult moments in particular proved the team’s strength. “I was always confident that we could do it together! I’m particularly proud of my team’s commitment and perseverance,” Almstedt emphasizes. Bianka highlights how important it was to work as a team, communicate openly and test things out continuously. “The project showed me how important patience, flexibility and teamwork are. Accepting challenges, seeking help and finding solutions together – that’s what makes the difference.” Nico adds: “A successful go-live is a milestone, but not everything runs smoothly from the start. Holding out and finding solutions together – that’s what counts.”

Successful change takes time

Despite all the challenges, there have also been many smaller and larger successes. Everyone involved is proud that business operations remained stable during the transition and that the global template could be significantly further developed. All this was made possible because the team looked for solutions together, adapted processes and shared knowledge instead of rigidly sticking to specifications. The new GROW approach helped us respond more flexibly to challenges and advance collaboration on the project.

KWS not only wants to move with the times, but also actively shape the future. Only with a modern, SAP-supported platform will we remain capable of acting in the long term and be ready for tomorrow's challenges. “We need change in order to develop and improve. Standing still isn’t an option. With good ideas, courage and team spirit, we’re shaping the future of KWS – every day, in both small and large ways,” is how Reiner sums it up.

All three agree: Transformation is not a self-running process. There are setbacks, uncertainties and phases when not everything goes according to plan – and that’s okay. The key is to talk openly about it, learn from each other and find solutions together. Openness, boldness and team spirit are the basis for sustainable change – and the most important reason why the journey is successful. |