“For me, the biggest added value of the software lies in the lead time, which provides us with the AI forecasts. Thanks to the precise forecasts, we already know what quantities we will need in 1-2 weeks. This is particularly important for our production, which requires long preparation times.”
The Kettinger Bakery has been around since 1953. In our almost 20 branches, we attach great importance to freshness and regionality: thanks to the proximity to our headquarters, we keep transport routes short, which our customers really appreciate. The special thing is that we bake the entire range of rolls and pretzels on site in every branch — in traditional stone ovens and completely without frozen goods.
We've known for a long time that our returns are higher than they actually need to be. However, it was difficult for us to see clear patterns. We originally planned the orders rather roughly, without detailed analyses. We only checked the returned quantities occasionally and then made selective adjustments. As a result, items were often sold out too early and at the same time we always had to contend with a certain amount of returns.
We are constantly following technical developments and looking at how we can make good use of them. In production in particular, we regularly invest in modern equipment to relieve our employees and become more efficient at the same time. Against this background, I was very interested in the topic of AI — in particular the potential to optimize processes and also generate financial benefits. After our first conversation with your team at the end of 2022, I was immediately convinced of the solution and felt that I was in very good hands with you.
We have been using FoodForecast's AI solution for 1.5 years now and are extremely satisfied with the results. The forecasts are accurate and we can clearly see how AI is helping us improve our processes.
In the past, we simply prepared larger quantities of each recipe without knowing exactly how much was actually needed. As a result, we either produced too much or, in some cases, came out empty-handed. Now we can ensure that exactly the 330 nut snails that we sell are prepared — no more or less. This has not only made our planning more precise and efficient, but also more economical.
For me, the biggest added value of the software lies in the lead time, which provides us with the AI forecasts. Thanks to the precise forecasts, we already know what quantities we will need in 1-2 weeks. This is particularly important for our production, which requires long preparation times. For example, the sourdough must be prepared in good time, and in the pastry shop, sponge cake floors or even the ordering of special ingredients must be planned in advance.
In addition, production is now much more precise. The AI takes relevant external factors into account in advance, such as vacation periods or public holidays, which we have not always had on our sights in good time so far. With Foodforecast's AI, we can plan in a very targeted manner and prepare the appropriate fillings or dough quantities.
Foodforecast's detailed data analysis is also particularly exciting for us. One example: Until now, variety-specific forecasts have been too complicated for us to make. For example, we treated our types of waste — five in number — as a single item and simply divided the orders evenly, i.e. 1/5 per type. With AI, we were able to see exactly which varieties were selling better for the first time. Surprisingly, it was shown that the quark bag, a supposed standard product, was significantly less popular than the nut snail, which sells twice as well. Based on these findings, we have removed the quark bag from our range and increased the production of nut snails. We can now precisely plan orders per branch, which we did not do with this accuracy before.
I would definitely recommend foodforecast and have already done so. Many bakers from the region spoke to me about this and I shared our experiences with them.
As bakers, we all have different challenges — whether due to specific structures, a complex product range design or the need for qualified baking staff. And this is exactly where the strength of foodforecast and AI lies, as they can help with the various challenges.
For me, one of the main arguments in favour of foodforecast is also the ability to use existing data effectively, because we all have the figures in our cash register systems. However, we often don't know how to evaluate them sensibly or we don't have the time to analyze the data ourselves. Hiring extra analysts for this is not realistic for most bakeries. The introduction of AI really makes work easier, because foodforecast takes on this task and automatically prepares the figures for us.
Yes, our bakery has definitely become more sustainable, because at the end of the day, we not only have fewer returns, but also fewer products that need to be refrigerated unnecessarily. This saves energy and significantly reduces effort. In addition, the use of raw materials is being improved because we waste less flour, energy and other resources. Deliveries can certainly also have positive effects. If we plan more precise quantities, less is transported and employees need less time to unload the goods.
Our key figures have significantly improved since the introduction of foodforecast. A particularly big advantage is the reduction in returns: we used to be around 30%, but now we've been able to reduce this figure to 20% thanks to AI. This means a 10% reduction in returns, which is significant progress for us both economically and sustainably.
Overall, the feedback from our employees is positive. Since they were not responsible for orders before, not much has changed for them in everyday life. But they appreciate that they have to clean up less because there are fewer products left over at the end of the day. They also see the positive aspect of sustainability, which has become more prominent as a result of optimised orders. The improved availability of goods has also had an impact.
Everything is currently running smoothly and we feel well looked after by the regular 4-week appointments. If anything comes up, we know that we can always contact the team.
With foodforecast, you can lead your company into a more sustainable future. Revolutionize your food production with us and minimize food waste. Our goal is to work together to achieve a positive impact on the environment, society and your profit.
