We are excited to take a significant leap forward in our digital journey with the launch of the Digital Enablement Process Transformation (DEPT). This project aims to transform our operations, empowering us to be faster, more efficient, and smarter in how we work.

What Is the DEPT Project?

The DEPT project is all about Smart Automation—using advanced digital tools to make our operations smoother, faster, and more efficient. Using a Lean approach, the aim will be to streamline the process by eliminating waste, making it simpler then automate when required. Following our innovation framework, SpeedX, we will always move from testing the concept (Proof of Concept) to proving its value (Proof of Value) the Scale and setting the stage for a more agile and effective way of doing business across the Group.

Key Focus Areas

In alignment with our Digital Guiding Principles, we will always ‘’Think Big, Implement Small’’.

Here’s how DEPT could help us transform our operations in our initial identified opportunities:

• Sales Order Automation: We will automate the sales order process in the new Direct Sales Distribution in WAS so to reduce manual tasks and minimize errors. This will boost order accuracy, leading to happier customers and quicker delivery times.
• Inventory Stock Count Automation: By adopting digital tools internally created like myStockApp, we will make stock counting more efficient and accurate, reducing discrepancies then improving overall performance with the support of a Digital Worker.
• Master Data and Promotions Automation: Managing master data and promotions will become simpler, helping us run more effective campaigns and make the best use of our resources to a quick time to market

Through the automation of sales orders, inventory stock counts, and master data management, DEPT will enhance our operational accuracy and enable faster decision-making.

 

The Benefits for Equatorial

• Increased Efficiency: Automation will free up time and resources, allowing us to focus more on our strategic goals.
• Enhanced Accuracy: Less manual work means fewer mistakes and more reliable data.
• Faster Turnaround: What used to take days will now take hours, speeding up our response time.
• Scalability: If successful, these solutions will be rolled out to other regions and departments, making them widely available across the Group.

Next Steps

We have successfully completed the initial testing phase and are now moving into the Proof of Value stage, with results expected by October. As part of this, the Proof of Concept (PoC) for Smart Automation is currently being carried out in Ghana. If everything goes as planned, we will then look at expanding these solutions across the Group.

We are also exploring new areas for automation, like Hazards Identification and Maintenance Automation, to continue building a more digitally enabled and sustainable future for ECCBC. Additionally, we will explore potential use cases for Smart Automation in Morocco, leveraging opportunities to drive innovation and efficiency within our operations.

A Forward-Looking Approach

This transformation is part of our broader plan to make ECCBC even more competitive and adaptable in today’s fast-changing world. Over the next four years, our Smart Automation Strategy will focus on accelerating digital adoption, building our skills, and driving sustainable growth. We are committed to providing the tools and resources to make this vision a reality and look forward to your support and collaboration as we move forward. We invite all of you to stay curious and be ready to embrace these innovations as they become part of our daily operations.