Barcelona’s Roca Group, a prominent player in the bathroom product industry since its establishment in 1917, has navigated significant challenges in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and fluctuating energy prices. With a vast network spanning 170 countries, employing 21,000 individuals and operating 79 production sites worldwide, Roca has solidified its presence as a truly global entity.
Jacques Nieuwland, the company’s Digital Transformation Director, emphasizes Roca’s commitment to growth through technology, especially as the company seeks to enhance innovation and operational excellence while prioritizing sustainability. Addressing global supply chain complexities, Nieuwland highlights the need for an agile planning approach. He notes that leveraging technology enhances Roca’s visibility across the supply chain, allowing for better collaboration among all stakeholders, which ultimately optimizes decision-making and operations.
A crucial component of Roca’s operational strategy is its reliance on SAP technology for managing core processes, including order processing and inventory management. Nieuwland explains that SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain plays a vital role in anticipating product demand, enabling Roca to provide exceptional service while optimizing stock levels.
Roca Group’s long-standing partnership with SAP has facilitated access to leading solutions that align with the firm’s digital transformation goals. In a significant step forward, Roca plans to implement RISE with SAP alongside SAP S/4HANA Cloud by early 2025, a move that Nieuwland believes will further ignite innovation within the company. He anticipates that the integration of SAP’s generative AI copilot, Joule, will significantly enhance productivity and service delivery to customers.
Sustainability remains at the forefront of Roca’s initiatives, with plans to analyze and reduce carbon emissions across all three scopes, setting an ambitious target of carbon neutrality by 2045. Nieuwland asserts that the overarching goal is to provide the ultimate bathroom experience for customers globally.
Nieuwland also shares valuable insights for other manufacturers, urging them to first identify business challenges before relying on technology to create tangible business value. He stresses the importance of collaborative, cross-functional teams and a broad approach to problem-solving rather than seeking isolated solutions.
In summary, Roca Group’s commitment to leveraging technology and fostering sustainability amidst global challenges showcases its resilience and dedication to innovation. By setting ambitious targets for both operational excellence and carbon neutrality, Roca not only positions itself as a leader in its industry but also inspires others to embrace a similar proactive approach. This forward-thinking strategy bodes well for the company’s future, encouraging a more sustainable and collaborative industrial landscape.