Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Cuts Inventory and Improves OTIF with Intuiflow

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the 8th largest Coca-Cola bottling partner worldwide, shipped more than 916 million cases in 2018 across Southeast and East Central Africa. With operations spanning multiple countries and hundreds of SKUs, CCBA needed a smarter way to manage planning complexity and improve service to customers.

Despite years of continuous improvement efforts, the company’s KPIs had plateaued. From 2013 to 2016, stockouts had been cut from 29% to 18% and OTIF nudged upward from 65% to 68%. But by 2016, progress had stalled. Forecast accuracy remained stuck at around 68%, SKU counts had grown from 370 to 580, and product categories had ballooned from 7 to 18. Planners, still reliant on spreadsheets and judgment calls, were juggling too much of the wrong inventory and too little of the right. With product variety exploding and demand becoming harder to predict, the system could not deliver the reliability CCBA’s fast-moving markets required.

That’s when CCBA turned to Intuiflow. By embedding Demand Driven MRP (DDMRP) logic into their planning and replenishment processes, the company found a new level of visibility, stability, and responsiveness across its supply chain.

Results at a Glance

• Out-of-stocks cut from mid-teens to single digits
• OTIF improved from low 60s to mid-70s
• Working capital reduced by nearly 30% in just two months
• Inventory coverage days reduced for both imports and local goods
• Planning teams reported less stress and greater job satisfaction

The Challenge

CCBA’s supply chain had grown more complex with each passing year. From 2013 to 2016, SKUs ballooned from 370 to 580 while product categories expanded from 7 to 18. At the same time, forecasts struggled to keep pace, plateauing at about 68% accuracy. Despite running MRP daily and adding new technology, the system could not deliver the service levels needed.

Stockouts, though improved from 29% in 2013 to 18% in 2016, were still far too high. OTIF shipments crept up slightly from 65% to 68% but never reached the level required by CCBA’s fast-moving markets.

“Our KPIs had plateaued. Forecast accuracy at SKU level was weak, and our planners were struggling. We realized there had to be a better way.” — Barry Anderson, Demand & Supply Planning Specialist, CCBA

The Intuiflow Solution

Simulation-first → ROI proven before purchase.

Live in weeks, ROI in ~60–90 days.

Autopilot optimized buffers item by item.

Intuitive UI reduced firefighting and manual work.

CCBA began its journey in 2016 with DDMRP training for planners, piloting first in Namibia. The pilot covered 135 SKUs, shipping more than 14 million cases annually, and quickly demonstrated the value of visibility and buffer-driven planning.

Encouraged, the company expanded across multiple countries using a spreadsheet-based solution before selecting Intuiflow (formerly Replenishment+) in 2018 as its packaged platform. Once again, Namibia led the way, with dramatic results in just the first two months.

With Intuiflow, planners gained real-time visibility into raw materials and finished goods buffers. Instead of working from inaccurate forecasts, they could see at a glance where to act and in what priority.

“If I had to summarize DDMRP in one word it would be visibility. We can see, at first glance, the actual status of our materials, which guides us to replenish in the right order and priority.” — Stephen Wicks, Planning Manager, Namibia

The Results

The transformation was dramatic. Within two months of rolling out Intuiflow in Namibia, CCBA reduced total inventory by 29%, unlocking working capital while maintaining service. At the same time, out-of-stocks dropped from the mid-teens to single digits, and OTIF performance climbed from the low 60s to the mid-70s.

One of the most striking lessons: results improved even though forecast accuracy did not. CCBA proved that with demand-driven planning, better outcomes don’t require better forecasts—just better visibility and execution.

Planners also reported a major improvement in their day-to-day work. With clear priorities and buffer visibility, late nights and firefighting were replaced by structured, consistent decision-making.

“The result that’s closest to my heart is the ease of work for my planning teams. Where they used to work late hours and under stress, they now enjoy their jobs.” — Barry Anderson, Demand & Supply Planning Specialist, CCBA

Days of coverage improved as well. Imported materials dropped from 14 days to 13, while locally manufactured goods went from 14 to 11 days. These gains gave CCBA greater flexibility and faster reaction to shifts in demand.

“Out-of-stocks are down, OTIF is up, and we’ve seen a significant reduction in working capital.” — Barry Anderson, Demand & Supply Planning Specialist, CCBA

Before Intuiflow vs. After Intuiflow

Looking Ahead

CCBA continues to expand its Intuiflow footprint. After Namibia, the company rolled out to Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania, with further countries planned. By embedding DDMRP into its network, CCBA is building a supply chain that adapts to volatility, reduces waste, and empowers planners across Africa to serve customers better.

“It gives us the flexibility we need to react to demand changes and the confidence to grow sustainably.” — Stephen Wicks, Planning Manager, Namibia

Book a demo today and see how Intuiflow helps global leaders like Coca-Cola Beverages Africa cut inventory nearly 30%, boost OTIF, and give planners visibility that drives results.