Recycled Paper Mills

OUR CLIENT

Our client is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, with multi-billion-dollar revenues and operations across Europe and beyond. This Anaplan use case focuses on a division dedicated to paper recycling and mill operations.

BUSINESS CHALLENGES

The client’s paper recycling division previously completed the annual budget process using Excel spreadsheet models that were manually consolidated. Actual variance reporting was only available quarterly, overlapping with a re-forecasting cycle that required significant manual rework to align forecasts with actuals.

Because consolidation was slow, a reliable group-wide forecast was only available at the last minute, leaving little time for review, reconciliation, and strategic decision making. Multiple spreadsheet versions created confusion over “the latest” forecast, with no clear version control.

Excel models also contained complex linked calculations — such as rolling sales forecasts into production, energy, and raw material costs. Evaluating the impact of volatile commodity prices, particularly in energy and raw materials, was slow and opaque, making it difficult to run scenarios or quickly assess strategic options such as hedging versus spot pricing.

In summary, the business needed a faster, more reliable way to produce budgets, forecasts, and management reporting. In particular, it needed rolling monthly actualisation, quicker re-forecasting, and consistent real-time updates across income statement, balance sheet, and non-financial metrics.

SOLUTION

The European mill operations engaged Profit& to implement Anaplan and replace spreadsheet-based planning with a connected, real-time model.

Data is uploaded from the client’s existing consolidation and reporting systems into a shared Anaplan data hub, creating a single source of truth. Local mills submit budget and forecast data directly into one central model. Some localised calculations are completed within Anaplan, while a central model provides a consolidated view including intercompany transactions.

Built-in security ensures each mill only sees its own results, while central finance has visibility of the consolidated picture. Automatic data integration updates budget-versus-actual reports and simultaneously actualises the forecast each month. This effectively delivers rolling monthly forecasts and real-time quarterly re-forecasts, providing finance with time to review, challenge, and collaborate before results are finalised.

Anaplan also replicates familiar data structures from the client’s existing systems, driving adoption while maintaining data integrity. Calculations, such as production bills of material, energy usage, and raw material costs, are transparent and easily adjusted. The impact of price changes or sustainability initiatives can be modelled in minutes, supporting faster, data-driven decision making.

The balance sheet is automated to include intercompany adjustments, debtor and creditor calculations, and links to income statement and non-financial data. Manual reconciliations are reduced, giving finance more time for value-adding analysis.

BENEFITS

One Version of the Truth

The central data hub provides a consistent, accurate source of data for all mills. Direct integration with existing systems has removed reconciliation risks and improved confidence in management information.

Scenario Planning

Key commodities can be modelled rapidly, enabling sensitivity analysis and strategic planning for market volatility and sustainability measures.

Support for Sustainability Decisions

Enhanced energy modelling enables the business to assess the financial impact of green energy investments and efficiency initiatives with far greater accuracy and speed.

Real-time Insights

Consolidated budgets and forecasts are available instantly, giving finance more time to analyse and collaborate, rather than chase numbers.

Central and Local Alignment

The model provides a group-wide view while allowing for limited local variations where they add value, ensuring consistency without sacrificing flexibility.

Finance Efficiency

Time previously spent consolidating and reconciling spreadsheets is now focused on analysis and decision support. Finance can respond quickly to market changes with real-time, accurate data.

 FUTURE

The client plans to extend the models beyond finance. Sales processes are a key target to enhance real-time pricing and discounting decisions for earlier and more informed customer conversations.

CapEx modelling is another priority, enabling comparison of investment scenarios in a connected model will improve project decision-making.

WHY ANAPLAN AND PROFIT& 

Anaplan was chosen for its flexibility, ease of use, and rapid time to value. Importantly, it provided a transparent, easy-to-maintain solution that finance teams could own without reliance on external support.

Profit& was selected for its strong track record in implementing Anaplan within manufacturing and packaging businesses across Europe. As with other implementations, the client’s finance team wanted the ability to run and manage the application independently, with minimal ongoing consultancy support.