Kraft Heinz, a major player in the global food industry, is working on incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and automation into its supply chain to make its operations smoother and more effective. This effort is aimed at making processes faster, enhancing the quality of products, and adjusting better to changes in the market.
Creating KraftGPT for Better Decision-Making
Kraft Heinz is developing a tool called KraftGPT, which is an internal AI application. This tool will help employees quickly access information about different areas of the business, like sales trends for products. Helen Davis, a senior leader at Kraft Heinz, described KraftGPT as an “Ask Me Anything” tool that allows employees to ask questions—like why bacon sales suddenly increased—and get quick, data-based answers.
Using AI Vision Systems in Production
In addition to analyzing data, Kraft Heinz is using AI technology in its production processes to ensure that products are made consistently and maintain high quality. One example is the implementation of AI vision systems in its pickle production lines, which check cucumbers for size and density before they are processed. This helps ensure that only cucumbers that meet certain standards are used, keeping the beloved crunchiness of Claussen pickles that customers enjoy.
Moving Towards a Self-Driving Supply Chain
Kraft Heinz has bigger plans to create a “self-driving” supply chain. This means using technology that allows factories to predict when equipment might fail and using forecasting tools to better understand customer needs. The company is developing a system that creates a digital version of its supply chain, allowing it to make automatic decisions about things like product movement and scheduling, helping it respond quickly to changes in consumer preferences.
Building Agile Data Science Teams
To support these advancements, Kraft Heinz has set up agile teams made up of data scientists, operational leads, and IT professionals. These teams work in small groups, called “pods,” focusing on specific challenges within the supply chain, which helps them quickly develop and apply AI solutions. This approach aligns with the company’s strategy of being adaptable and always looking for ways to improve.
Working with Microsoft for Better Data Integration
Kraft Heinz is teaming up with Microsoft to bring together data from different sources into a central platform called Lighthouse. This system uses unique algorithms to analyze information from suppliers, factories, and distribution centers, helping with demand forecasting and making the supply chain stronger. By integrating AI tools like Lighthouse, Kraft Heinz is committed to using technology to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and create a more self-sufficient supply chain.
With these efforts, Kraft Heinz is using AI and automation to transform how it operates its supply chain, striving for increased efficiency, better product quality, and a sharper response to changes in the market.
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