Cloetta's Success: Accelerating Innovation through Cloud Technology

In the world of confectionery, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just great products; it demands innovation, efficiency, and adaptability. Cloetta, the beloved candy brand known for its iconic products like Kexchoklad, has embraced these demands, implementing strategies to boost its innovation and streamline operations. During a recent event, Christian Svensson, Head of Application Management at Cloetta and Infor Industry Director Håkan Strömbeck shared how the company is leveraging cloud technology to speed up its processes and deliver new experiences to its customers.

The Need for Speed in Innovation

Consumer preferences are constantly evolving. Today’s customers expect variety, healthier options, and sustainability from the brands they trust. For Cloetta, this means not only maintaining its strong brand heritage but also constantly innovating its product lines and processes. As Håkan Strömbeck pointed out during the event, the distribution landscape is changing rapidly, and companies like Cloetta are taking strategic steps to adapt.

Cloetta has taken significant strides to keep up with market demands, particularly through its use of cloud-based platforms. By utilizing Infor Cloud Suite on the AWS infrastructure, Cloetta has gained access to over 100 services that support its enterprise application layer, allowing the company to focus on innovating faster without the burden of managing complex backend systems. This foundation gives them the flexibility to integrate AI, machine learning, and other advanced technologies into their operations with ease.

Streamlining with Cloud-Based ERP

Christian, representing Cloetta's IT operations, provided a deeper insight into how the company’s migration to cloud technology has transformed its approach to enterprise resource planning (ERP). Cloetta's main ERP system, M3, powers its operations across multiple countries and factories, ensuring the seamless flow of goods, from inbound and outbound logistics to product development through its lifecycle management tool.

A crucial part of this transition has been moving to a multi-tenant cloud environment, a decision made back in 2018. This shift allowed Cloetta to streamline its processes, reducing costs and increasing performance, stability, and scalability. According to Christian, the cloud platform enables Cloetta to innovate without worrying about infrastructure management, freeing up resources to focus on enhancing customer experiences and product offerings.

A Cloud Journey: From On-Premise to Innovation-Driven

Cloetta’s cloud journey began over a decade ago. What started as a traditional on-premise solution made up of many single standalone applications, evolved into a fully cloud-based system. The transition hasn’t been without its challenges, but after years of steady progress, Cloetta now celebrates three years of successful cloud operations. Christian shared a unique perspective, having moved from an on-premise world to a cloud world, and emphasized how much more reliable and efficient the cloud-based platform has been for Cloetta. For instance, the maintenance is under one hour per month, while time of disturbances 29 minutes on average.   

This journey has allowed the company to introduce over 2,600 new features into its environment, from simple process improvements to major innovations. For Cloetta, the cloud isn’t just a tool for managing day-to-day operations but a platform for continuous improvement and growth.

Sustainability: A Key Focus

Cloetta’s push for innovation doesn’t stop with its internal processes. Sustainability is also at the heart of its strategy. With sales in more than 60 countries and 2,800 employees, Cloetta recognizes the environmental impact of its operations, from packaging to transportation. The company is committed to reducing its footprint by optimizing processes and utilizing cleaner energy sources, ensuring that its innovations are as sustainable as they are efficient.

Conclusion

Cloetta’s commitment to innovation is clear. By leveraging cutting-edge cloud technology and continuously improving its processes, the brand is positioning itself not just as a leader in the confectionery market but as a forward-thinking company ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. As Christian aptly put it, innovation by standardization is key to unlocking new potential. With the strong foundation it has built, Cloetta is well-prepared to sweeten the future, one innovation at a time.