Marelec: at sea, on land, and then conquer the world
End-to-end process thinking success formula to perpetuate global growth
MARELEC Food Technology's starting point is at sea
What began in 1983 with the construction of measurement systems for traction on board of fishing vessels, has today, almost 40 years later, expanded into a world player in the design and production of high-tech and intelligent weighing, sorting and portioning systems for the fish and meat processing industry. Through a network of its own subsidiaries and international distributors, MARELEC remains close to its customers worldwide. The company breathes Customer Intimacy.
As an example, MARELEC recently designed a fully integrated solution for one of the largest salmon processing companies in Chile, a customized weighing, sorting and portioning system, two lines above each other.
Digitalization as a foundation for further growth and profitability
"MARELEC's ambitions are far-reaching," says Piet Rommelaere, founder and driving force behind the company. "MARELEC wants to be the first choice for the food processing industry worldwide."
That growth strategy requires working as efficiently as possible within MARELEC.
The need to optimize and further digitize business processes presents itself.
Digital processes are the catalyst
Koen Devolder, General Manager, explains:
"MARELEC has grown strongly in recent years. We now need to invest in optimal, standardized processes and systems that support further growth."
This means replacing the existing combination of legacy ERP system, spreadsheets and mail communication with a future-proof ERP solution.
This solution will act as a catalyst for business growth thanks to a centralized CRM process, even better management of our customer service, and real-time control of costs and working capital.
New digital strategy and selection process
MARELEC engaged with Mentor and Men to jointly design a new digital strategy, select the right implementation partner and supporting digital solution. The focus of this project is the shift towards new, process-based ways of working with integrated systems, which requires a new mindset within the company.
A rock-solid project sponsor involving all employees
From the start of the project, the focus was on employee involvement and encourage process-oriented thinking, and make this transition in a methodological and structured way. MARELEC's decisiveness in testing new practices and concepts already during the preparatory phase testifies its will to change and succeed.
The project team designed the so-called "MARELEC Process Framework," a process catalog, a classification system for processes.
Sub-processes were organized, process owners and key users were appointed, master data framework and governance saw the light of day, the seed for aligned company-wide reporting was planted. Together with the process owners and key users, processes were thoroughly screened and designed for the future and the requirements for a new ERP application were mapped out. The selection of the most suitable solution and implementation partner was also in scope and guided by Mentor and Men.
No successful change without a strong project sponsor
For the consultants at Mentor and Men, it was a great project experience. Thanks to the strong sponsorship, the will to change and the decisiveness of senior management, this change project has every chance of succeeding.
The top 3 characteristics of a strong sponsor?
- Being active and visible in the organization
- Building a coalition with executives, managers, other sponsors
- Communicating clearly and regularly with everyone in the organization
MARELEC and its employees are ready for the transition to process-based thinking and working, supported by a new ERP application.
MARELEC is walking a wonderful path of how to prepare an organization for impactful change, and how to get it ready for substantial growth.
Is your business also growing at a rapid pace?
Then it may be time to scale up the efficiency of operations and processes.
Mentor and Men already helped many companies.
Be sure to read the Client Story Meatless Farm: Efficient production of plantbased meat.
