QAD Presents Process Intelligence at Gartner Supply Chain Symposium 2025
QAD Inc., a recognized leader in next-generation cloud-based manufacturing and supply chain solutions, is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo. The event, which brings together top industry professionals, supply chain executives, and technology innovators, will feature a compelling session entitled “Hutchinson’s Extended Supply Chain – Driving Worldwide S&OP for Strategic Alignment.” The session will be presented by Frédéric Faysse, Senior Sales Executive at QAD, alongside Luca Cicchiello, Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain at Hutchinson, offering attendees valuable insights into how Hutchinson has revolutionized its global supply chain operations through strategic sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes powered by QAD’s cloud technology.
About the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo
The Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo is widely regarded as one of the premier events for supply chain leadership and innovation worldwide. It convenes supply chain executives, technology providers, and industry thought leaders to share best practices, emerging trends, and breakthrough strategies that help organizations improve operational efficiency, resilience, and customer satisfaction. This year’s event is particularly focused on addressing the challenges of global supply chain disruption, digital transformation, and sustainability — areas where QAD and Hutchinson have demonstrated strong expertise and leadership.
Hutchinson: A Global Supply Chain Leader in Non-Tire Rubber Manufacturing
Hutchinson is a global powerhouse in the non-tire rubber sector, with a workforce exceeding 40,000 employees spread across 25 countries. The company is known for its innovative materials and solutions used in automotive, aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. As supply chains become increasingly complex and subject to rapid change, Hutchinson has prioritized agility, resilience, and strategic alignment in its supply chain processes.
Leading these efforts is Luca Cicchiello, Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain at Hutchinson, who will co-present the session alongside QAD’s Frédéric Faysse. Their presentation promises to provide an in-depth look at Hutchinson’s end-to-end supply chain strategy, focusing on how the company manages and optimizes its worldwide Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process to drive alignment across functions and geographies.
Key Topics of the Presentation: Driving Supply Chain Agility and Strategic Alignment
During the session, Cicchiello and Faysse will delve into several critical aspects of Hutchinson’s supply chain transformation:
1. Driving End-to-End Supply Chain Agility and Resilience
Attendees will gain insights into Hutchinson’s approach to achieving agility and resilience by implementing a global S&OP process. Supported by QAD’s Digital Supply Chain Planning cloud solution, this process enables real-time visibility and collaboration across multiple regions and business units. The session will explain how Hutchinson’s integrated planning system helps the company respond quickly to market fluctuations, supply disruptions, and changing customer demands, ensuring continuity and competitive advantage.
2. Real-Time Capacity Management and Inventory Optimization
A highlight of Hutchinson’s strategy is the ability to monitor capacity in real-time across its global manufacturing network. By leveraging QAD’s cloud platform, Hutchinson receives timely alerts regarding capacity constraints, allowing proactive adjustments in production planning and supplier collaboration. This enhanced visibility extends to inventory management, where streamlining stock levels over an 18-month horizon helps reduce waste, minimize obsolete inventory, and optimize working capital — all while meeting customer expectations.
3. Strategic Alignment Through Scenario Simulations and Risk Mitigation
Strategic alignment is essential to Hutchinson’s ongoing success. The company uses advanced scenario simulations within the QAD Digital Supply Chain Planning system to model various “what-if” situations. These simulations enable decision-makers to understand the impact of demand fluctuations, capacity changes, and potential disruptions, thereby minimizing risk and enhancing strategic planning accuracy. This capability supports continuous improvement initiatives, reduces operational complexity, and fosters a culture of proactive supply chain management.
QAD’s Process Intelligence “Proof of Capability” Program at Gartner
In addition to the Hutchinson session, QAD will feature a highly valuable offering for event attendees through its Process Intelligence “Proof of Capability” program. This initiative provides one company each day during the symposium the opportunity to experience a complimentary, hands-on demonstration of QAD’s Process Intelligence platform using their own business data.
The Proof of Capability program is designed as a low-touch, high-value engagement that reveals actionable insights into operational inefficiencies and potential cost savings across key supply chain areas. Participating companies can choose to focus on either:
- Warehouse/Distribution Center (DC) Optimization:
Analyzing order processing workflows, identifying root causes of inefficiencies, and improving overall warehouse performance to increase throughput and reduce operational costs. - Inventory Optimization:
Helping organizations minimize obsolete stock, reduce waste, and improve inventory agility and profitability by gaining clearer visibility and control over stock movements and demand patterns.
The process begins with a brief discovery session where QAD experts gather requirements and identify key data sources. This is followed by a thorough data analysis performed within a live QAD Process Intelligence environment. Within two to three weeks, QAD delivers a detailed presentation and executive report outlining findings, improvement recommendations, and estimated return on investment (ROI). This rapid turnaround enables companies to quickly validate the potential benefits of adopting QAD’s process intelligence solutions.
Luc Janssen, Senior Vice President of Product Management at QAD, emphasizes the value of this program:
“Our Proof of Capability program delivers rapid, actionable insights, demonstrating the transformative power of QAD Process Intelligence. By leveraging their own data, companies gain a clear understanding of how operational improvements can drive meaningful business outcomes.”
Strategic Importance of Digital Transformation in Supply Chains
The partnership between QAD and Hutchinson underscores the growing necessity for digital transformation in supply chain management. As global markets face volatility, supply disruptions, and increasing customer expectations, companies must adopt technology-enabled planning and execution frameworks to remain competitive.
Cloud-based solutions like QAD’s Digital Supply Chain Planning empower organizations to break down silos, improve data accuracy, and enable real-time collaboration across supply chain partners. This integrated approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also strengthens risk management and strategic decision-making capabilities.
Event Details and Participation Information
The Hutchinson presentation, “Hutchinson’s Extended Supply Chain – Driving Worldwide S&OP for Strategic Alignment,” will take place on Wednesday, 21 May at 13:45 CEST during the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo. Supply chain professionals attending the event are encouraged to participate in this session to learn directly from industry leaders about overcoming the complexities of modern supply chains with innovative digital solutions.
Additionally, companies interested in participating in QAD’s Process Intelligence Proof of Capability program can connect with QAD representatives onsite at the symposium for further details and to arrange their complimentary assessment.