2011 Innovation, Business & Technology Awards
It was a record-breaking year for CGT’s annual Innovation, Business & Technology Leadership Awards. We received more than 100 quality nominations from our readers, more than any other year to date. In the end, CGT’s Editorial and Research Advisory Boards could only select 15 winners across five award categories. Here, we pay homage to one first place winner and two outstanding achievement award recipients in each category. Find out why they are deserving of this recognition for excellence in innovation, customer management, supply chain and growth strategies.
MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANY AWARD
This award honors the consumer goods company that has continually driven growth through product and/or process innovation in 2010/2011.
WINNER
Newell Rubbermaid
Over the past five years, Newell Rubbermaid successfully transformed its business model from a manufacturing and product focus to one that is consumer-centric and built on marketing, branding and consumer-driven innovation. The company implemented a strategic, company-wide approach to uncovering insights and unmet consumer needs to drive new product innovations and put the consumer at the heart of the business. Today, Newell Rubbermaid delivers products that lead their categories because they were designed by listening to the needs of consumers and professional end-users, like the Calphalon Unison Nonstick Egg Poacher, the Parker Ingenuity pen and Lenox Bi-Metal Speed Slot Hole Saw. “Newell Rubbermaid is honored to receive the 2011 Most Innovative Company award from CGT in recognition of our employees’ passion to relentlessly study our consumers and develop innovations that solve everyday frustrations while offering great performance and value,” says Lisa King, vice president of Insights and Innovation, Newell Rubbermaid. “We have fostered a culture dedicated to innovation that builds our brands, and we are committed to revolutionizing products across our portfolio to surprise and delight our consumers.”
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Coty Inc.
New innovative ideas from Coty Inc. include Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips By Sally Hansen and the Rimmel Lash Accelerator. “These products… are the result of great team work as we drive our innovation process to new levels,” said Ralph Macchio, SVP, global R&D and chief scientific officer, Coty Inc.
Dyson
Research, design and development are the core of Dyson. In fact, one third of people at Dyson are engineers and scientists. Plus, Dyson’s RDD investment has quadrupled over the last five years with plans to double engineers to continue to grow and invent stand out products. Recent new products include the Dyson Digital Slim, the Dyson Groom tool and the Dyson City vacuum.
CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT AWARD
This award is presented to the consumer goods firm that is best leveraging a solution to manage customer relationships, trade promotions, marketing and/or consumer insights.
WINNER
McCormick & Company, Inc.
McCormick & Co. is leveraging smartphone mobile technology to gain field sales productivity, manage channel partner relationships and support customers. It replaced a paper-based system with a single, standardized and adaptable audit process, enabled by Flowfinity Actions from Flowfinity Wireless. Retail managers in different regions are now able to collaborate on the best ways to streamline and improve operations. As a result, the company has improved sales performance. In the future, McCormick & Co. will extend the use of Flowfinity Actions to other departments such as marketing.
OUtSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific can deliver insights with great speed — a game changer in today’s marketplace. The company uses a solution from Interactive Edge, which can tackle any database, delivering graphics and support elements to create a compelling reason for a retailer to listen and agree. Georgia-Pacific can then generate retailer level analyses where 80 percent of the insight can be done in just minutes. Overall, analysts can now focus on the development of new insights as well as develop other best practices that grow value for retail customers, the consumer and the Georgia-Pacific without increasing headcount.
Nestl
In the United States, Nestl consolidated all Walmart team business units into one “Nestl Walmart” office and leadership team. Now, those business units leverage Shiloh DSR software and a best practice process to deploy reports and analysis through a central team. Retailer, company shipment/order, planogram, competitive pricing and SNAP (previously food stamps) data is now all integrated in Shiloh, leading Nestl to uncover new opportunities.
DICK CLARK SUPPLY CHAIN AWARD
Named in honor of the late supply chain visionary, this award is presented to a consumer goods firm for excellence in executing improvements in supply or demand planning, warehouse management, transportation management, S&OP processes or supply chain network design.
WINNER
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kimberly-Clark’s supply chain improvements are primarily the result of a shift from traditional practices toward a demand-driven consumer value chain, where responsibilities are now shared between the company and its supply chain partners. Results of the effort — which started as a “lean” journey in late 2007 but subsequently evolved into a culture of continuous improvement, transformation and innovation — include halving internal cycle times, reducing the number of warehouses by almost 70 percent, and reducing total supply chain costs, while increasing on-shelf availability. “Supply chain performance is an important competitive advantage in the consumer goods sector today,” says Julia Smith, vice president, R&E and Supply Chain, Kimberly-Clark. “The improvements we’ve made with our supply chain transformation allow us to operate more effectively and more efficiently, which enables us to continue to better serve our customers.”
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Land O’Lakes Inc.
Historically, Land O’ Lakes Inc. ran as a holding company, resulting in a complex IT environment. In 2005, a strategic decision was made to move toward an operating company model. A well-mapped business transformation project, called Catalyst, was formed to migrate part of the business from four ERP systems to just one. As of October 2010, the impact of project Catalyst can be seen clearly in Land O’Lakes’ supply chain.
Just Born Inc.
Just Born must continually improve the supply chain for its highly seasonal Peeps product, as well as other candy brands, like Mike and Ike. The company implemented a disciplined forecast management process for products that ship to 50 countries supported by an easy-to-use tool from Demand Solutions. “As you are all aware, a forecast will never be 100 percent accurate;
but communication is a big help to increase forecast accuracy,” says Joy Hemming, senior forecasting analyst, Just Born Inc.
In Memoriam
Richard “Dick” Clark, Demand Planning Global Process Owner for P&G, passed away in September 2011. Deemed by many as the “Father of Demand Planning”, he truly shaped the industry’s direction on demand planning. In addition to naming an award in his honor, Terra Technology and CGT have launched a scholarship fund in Clark’s name at Texas A&M University. Please contact CGT Publisher Albert Guffanti at [email protected] for more information.
SMB AWARD
The SMB Market award is presented to a small to mid-size consumer goods firms that is best utilizing technology to achieve substantial growth in size and/or revenue.
WINNER
Goya Foods
Over the past 75+ years, Goya Foods has grown from a small storefront business into the largest Hispanic-owned food and No. 1 Latin brand company in the United States. “We’ve built our company on maximizing our sales by neighborhood, and that approach has worked very well since 1936,” said Peter Unanue, executive vice president, Operations and Logistics, Goya. “In just the last five years, the number of SKUs we carry has grown by 60 percent.” The company uses JDA solutions to optimize a range of supply chain planning processes, ensuring it is equipped to continue delivering superior customer service and reduce operational costs while keeping pace with the company’s growth. Goya is experiencing real results, like a record 98 percent service level and 99.96 percent fill rates for high volume products.
OUtSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Sun Products
Sun Products, a North American manufacturer and marketer of fabric care and household products with annual sales of more than $2 billion, implemented a DSR from Shiloh Technologies in 2010 starting with the largest account that needed improved service levels. The DSR allows Sun to strategically change the way it staffs and services the account, and created a competitive advantage in analytics and reporting. They soon won a new category advisorship from this retailer along with finding more than $20 million in out-of-stock and phantom inventory issues. The retailer also asked Sun to use its out-of-stock/phantom inventory finder across the entire category.
Specialized
This global bicycle manufacturer is currently using several cloud-based solutions, including RightNow Social Experience solutions, to foster customer engagement with cycling enthusiasts via 17 social media sites. It is now very common for customers to post messages of praise in return, thereby creating social brand advocates. “In today’s environment, customer service is a powerful tool to set yourself apart,” says Keith Miller, director of Customer Service, Specialized.
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT AWARD
This award honors the consumer goods industry’s most innovative new product launched in 2010/2011.
WINNER
Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray from Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson’s Neutrogena skincare has a long-standing heritage in providing innovative products that offer real benefits. Launched in early 2011, Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray with Helioplex was the first sunscreen specially formulated to be applied to wet skin. When applied to wet skin, ordinary sunblock can whiten and slide off. Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray instantly cuts through water to form a protective barrier. Trust us, it really works. We’ve tried it! Plus, the product has been praised by 10 beauty publications, including Allure magazine, which named it one of the Best Beauty Breakthroughs of 2011.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Purex Complete Crystals from Henkel
Since its January 2011 U.S. launch, the one-of-a-kind crystal-form fabric softener has been an overwhelming success with consumers. Despite being on the market for less than 150 days, Purex Crystals posted sales of nearly $20 million, tripling Henkel’s in-wash fabric softener market share in the United States. Consumer demand prompted Henkel to double production of the product in June 2011. “Innovation is core to our success, and at Henkel we pride ourselves on creating effective and simple solutions for consumers’ laundry care needs,” says Stephen Koven, director of laundry additives for Henkel’s Purex brand.
Sensodyne Repair & Protect from GSK Consumer Healthcare
In 2011, GlaxoSmithKline announced a breakthrough in dental care with the launch of new Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste containing Novamin, a unique formula with its roots in a technology originally developed to help stimulate bone regeneration. Harnessing this technology, Sensodyne Repair & Protect seeks out and attaches to the areas of teeth that are sensitive to form a “tooth-like” layer over exposed dentine, which helps to continuously repair and protect. As of September 2011, GlaxoSmithKline had sold 20 million units of Sensodyne Repair & Protect in more than 30 international markets. Here’s hoping it comes to the U.S. market soon!
MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANY AWARD
This award honors the consumer goods company that has continually driven growth through product and/or process innovation in 2010/2011.
WINNER
Newell Rubbermaid
Over the past five years, Newell Rubbermaid successfully transformed its business model from a manufacturing and product focus to one that is consumer-centric and built on marketing, branding and consumer-driven innovation. The company implemented a strategic, company-wide approach to uncovering insights and unmet consumer needs to drive new product innovations and put the consumer at the heart of the business. Today, Newell Rubbermaid delivers products that lead their categories because they were designed by listening to the needs of consumers and professional end-users, like the Calphalon Unison Nonstick Egg Poacher, the Parker Ingenuity pen and Lenox Bi-Metal Speed Slot Hole Saw. “Newell Rubbermaid is honored to receive the 2011 Most Innovative Company award from CGT in recognition of our employees’ passion to relentlessly study our consumers and develop innovations that solve everyday frustrations while offering great performance and value,” says Lisa King, vice president of Insights and Innovation, Newell Rubbermaid. “We have fostered a culture dedicated to innovation that builds our brands, and we are committed to revolutionizing products across our portfolio to surprise and delight our consumers.”
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Coty Inc.
New innovative ideas from Coty Inc. include Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips By Sally Hansen and the Rimmel Lash Accelerator. “These products… are the result of great team work as we drive our innovation process to new levels,” said Ralph Macchio, SVP, global R&D and chief scientific officer, Coty Inc.
Dyson
Research, design and development are the core of Dyson. In fact, one third of people at Dyson are engineers and scientists. Plus, Dyson’s RDD investment has quadrupled over the last five years with plans to double engineers to continue to grow and invent stand out products. Recent new products include the Dyson Digital Slim, the Dyson Groom tool and the Dyson City vacuum.
CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT AWARD
This award is presented to the consumer goods firm that is best leveraging a solution to manage customer relationships, trade promotions, marketing and/or consumer insights.
WINNER
McCormick & Company, Inc.
McCormick & Co. is leveraging smartphone mobile technology to gain field sales productivity, manage channel partner relationships and support customers. It replaced a paper-based system with a single, standardized and adaptable audit process, enabled by Flowfinity Actions from Flowfinity Wireless. Retail managers in different regions are now able to collaborate on the best ways to streamline and improve operations. As a result, the company has improved sales performance. In the future, McCormick & Co. will extend the use of Flowfinity Actions to other departments such as marketing.
OUtSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Georgia-Pacific
Georgia-Pacific can deliver insights with great speed — a game changer in today’s marketplace. The company uses a solution from Interactive Edge, which can tackle any database, delivering graphics and support elements to create a compelling reason for a retailer to listen and agree. Georgia-Pacific can then generate retailer level analyses where 80 percent of the insight can be done in just minutes. Overall, analysts can now focus on the development of new insights as well as develop other best practices that grow value for retail customers, the consumer and the Georgia-Pacific without increasing headcount.
Nestl
In the United States, Nestl consolidated all Walmart team business units into one “Nestl Walmart” office and leadership team. Now, those business units leverage Shiloh DSR software and a best practice process to deploy reports and analysis through a central team. Retailer, company shipment/order, planogram, competitive pricing and SNAP (previously food stamps) data is now all integrated in Shiloh, leading Nestl to uncover new opportunities.
DICK CLARK SUPPLY CHAIN AWARD
Named in honor of the late supply chain visionary, this award is presented to a consumer goods firm for excellence in executing improvements in supply or demand planning, warehouse management, transportation management, S&OP processes or supply chain network design.
WINNER
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Kimberly-Clark’s supply chain improvements are primarily the result of a shift from traditional practices toward a demand-driven consumer value chain, where responsibilities are now shared between the company and its supply chain partners. Results of the effort — which started as a “lean” journey in late 2007 but subsequently evolved into a culture of continuous improvement, transformation and innovation — include halving internal cycle times, reducing the number of warehouses by almost 70 percent, and reducing total supply chain costs, while increasing on-shelf availability. “Supply chain performance is an important competitive advantage in the consumer goods sector today,” says Julia Smith, vice president, R&E and Supply Chain, Kimberly-Clark. “The improvements we’ve made with our supply chain transformation allow us to operate more effectively and more efficiently, which enables us to continue to better serve our customers.”
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Land O’Lakes Inc.
Historically, Land O’ Lakes Inc. ran as a holding company, resulting in a complex IT environment. In 2005, a strategic decision was made to move toward an operating company model. A well-mapped business transformation project, called Catalyst, was formed to migrate part of the business from four ERP systems to just one. As of October 2010, the impact of project Catalyst can be seen clearly in Land O’Lakes’ supply chain.
Just Born Inc.
Just Born must continually improve the supply chain for its highly seasonal Peeps product, as well as other candy brands, like Mike and Ike. The company implemented a disciplined forecast management process for products that ship to 50 countries supported by an easy-to-use tool from Demand Solutions. “As you are all aware, a forecast will never be 100 percent accurate;
but communication is a big help to increase forecast accuracy,” says Joy Hemming, senior forecasting analyst, Just Born Inc.
In Memoriam
Richard “Dick” Clark, Demand Planning Global Process Owner for P&G, passed away in September 2011. Deemed by many as the “Father of Demand Planning”, he truly shaped the industry’s direction on demand planning. In addition to naming an award in his honor, Terra Technology and CGT have launched a scholarship fund in Clark’s name at Texas A&M University. Please contact CGT Publisher Albert Guffanti at [email protected] for more information.
SMB AWARD
The SMB Market award is presented to a small to mid-size consumer goods firms that is best utilizing technology to achieve substantial growth in size and/or revenue.
WINNER
Goya Foods
Over the past 75+ years, Goya Foods has grown from a small storefront business into the largest Hispanic-owned food and No. 1 Latin brand company in the United States. “We’ve built our company on maximizing our sales by neighborhood, and that approach has worked very well since 1936,” said Peter Unanue, executive vice president, Operations and Logistics, Goya. “In just the last five years, the number of SKUs we carry has grown by 60 percent.” The company uses JDA solutions to optimize a range of supply chain planning processes, ensuring it is equipped to continue delivering superior customer service and reduce operational costs while keeping pace with the company’s growth. Goya is experiencing real results, like a record 98 percent service level and 99.96 percent fill rates for high volume products.
OUtSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Sun Products
Sun Products, a North American manufacturer and marketer of fabric care and household products with annual sales of more than $2 billion, implemented a DSR from Shiloh Technologies in 2010 starting with the largest account that needed improved service levels. The DSR allows Sun to strategically change the way it staffs and services the account, and created a competitive advantage in analytics and reporting. They soon won a new category advisorship from this retailer along with finding more than $20 million in out-of-stock and phantom inventory issues. The retailer also asked Sun to use its out-of-stock/phantom inventory finder across the entire category.
Specialized
This global bicycle manufacturer is currently using several cloud-based solutions, including RightNow Social Experience solutions, to foster customer engagement with cycling enthusiasts via 17 social media sites. It is now very common for customers to post messages of praise in return, thereby creating social brand advocates. “In today’s environment, customer service is a powerful tool to set yourself apart,” says Keith Miller, director of Customer Service, Specialized.
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT AWARD
This award honors the consumer goods industry’s most innovative new product launched in 2010/2011.
WINNER
Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray from Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson’s Neutrogena skincare has a long-standing heritage in providing innovative products that offer real benefits. Launched in early 2011, Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray with Helioplex was the first sunscreen specially formulated to be applied to wet skin. When applied to wet skin, ordinary sunblock can whiten and slide off. Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray instantly cuts through water to form a protective barrier. Trust us, it really works. We’ve tried it! Plus, the product has been praised by 10 beauty publications, including Allure magazine, which named it one of the Best Beauty Breakthroughs of 2011.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Purex Complete Crystals from Henkel
Since its January 2011 U.S. launch, the one-of-a-kind crystal-form fabric softener has been an overwhelming success with consumers. Despite being on the market for less than 150 days, Purex Crystals posted sales of nearly $20 million, tripling Henkel’s in-wash fabric softener market share in the United States. Consumer demand prompted Henkel to double production of the product in June 2011. “Innovation is core to our success, and at Henkel we pride ourselves on creating effective and simple solutions for consumers’ laundry care needs,” says Stephen Koven, director of laundry additives for Henkel’s Purex brand.
Sensodyne Repair & Protect from GSK Consumer Healthcare
In 2011, GlaxoSmithKline announced a breakthrough in dental care with the launch of new Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste containing Novamin, a unique formula with its roots in a technology originally developed to help stimulate bone regeneration. Harnessing this technology, Sensodyne Repair & Protect seeks out and attaches to the areas of teeth that are sensitive to form a “tooth-like” layer over exposed dentine, which helps to continuously repair and protect. As of September 2011, GlaxoSmithKline had sold 20 million units of Sensodyne Repair & Protect in more than 30 international markets. Here’s hoping it comes to the U.S. market soon!