Blog
October 24, 2024
With autonomous sourcing tools, Dutch auctions, and powerful API integrations, Keelvar continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in procurement automation.
Building on this momentum, the day was filled with insightful panel discussions, customer spotlights, partner showcases and interactive workshops that demonstrated how businesses of all sizes are leveraging Keelvar’s solutions to not just keep pace but thrive in a rapidly evolving market.
Alan kicked off Keelvar Konnect with a vision of sourcing excellence that continues to evolve. He celebrated Keelvar’s impressive growth, including a 146% increase in bid events compared to the previous year. With over 150 live Autonomous Sourcing bots helping customers streamline their procurement processes, Keelvar is poised to be a cornerstone of automation in global sourcing.
One Keelvar customer, Alan explained, achieved remarkable success by embracing automation through Keelvar's Autonomous Sourcing. Initially using it for ocean and truckload freight, they quickly scaled their sourcing operations, growing from 15 events to over 100 in just 18 months.
By integrating with their internal systems, they reduced sourcing times from an average of 16,000 minutes to just 9.5 minutes. This rapid transformation not only improved efficiency but also provided a competitive advantage by enabling faster procurement cycles and better supplier engagement, showcasing the immense impact of Keelvar’s automation.
A standout session was the "Scaling Sourcing Excellence" panel, featuring procurement leaders from KK Wind, Mars, and Henkel, who shared their experiences using Keelvar to revolutionize their sourcing operations.
Speaking to Keelvar's Dylan Alperin, Rasmus Nielsen from KK Wind discussed how the company tripled in size over the past three years, running more than 4,000 fully automated sourcing events annually. Leveraging Keelvar’s platform has allowed them to handle rapid growth without sacrificing quality, emphasizing the importance of “working smarter” to maintain operational excellence.
Bartosz Kalwinski from Mars highlighted their goal to automate 50,000 sourcing events annually using Keelvar’s autonomous sourcing tools. Bartosz pointed out that automation has been a game-changer, freeing up his team from manual tasks and enabling them to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Hardik Singhvi from Henkel emphasized the role of digital transformation in their procurement journey. Henkel has integrated Keelvar’s scenario analysis and automation features to optimize decision-making and reduce cycle times, allowing for more agile and efficient sourcing operations.
Another highlight of the event was the Customer Spotlight session featuring Sarah Morfoot, VP Centre of Excellence for Global Procurement at Stanley Black & Decker. Sarah shared how Keelvar's solutions have been instrumental in scaling their procurement operations globally.
Sarah also emphasized the importance of embracing automation to drive cost savings and efficiency across categories, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and supplier engagement. Her insights offered a real-world perspective on the transformational power of sourcing automation in a large, complex organization.
Sarah Morfoot of Stanley Black & Deckershared how Keelvar's solutions have been instrumental in scaling their procurement operations globally
This panel discussion featured thought leaders such as Kasia Pietrucka-van Rijnberk from FrieslandCampina and Bastian Stroucken from IntegrityNext, exploring how AI and sustainability are shaping the future of procurement.
Bastian stressed the need for sustainable sourcing practices, explaining that AI can help procurement teams factor in sustainability alongside cost, creating a more holistic approach to supplier selection.
Kasia highlighted the need for procurement platforms that integrate real-time data, enabling teams to make better-informed decisions. FrieslandCampina’s journey to segment their suppliers and prioritize sustainability was showcased as a forward-thinking approach in modern procurement.
Keelvar Konnect also highlighted the pivotal role of partners in driving sourcing innovation. Alan Holland mentioned the importance of partnerships in a "3 S curve" slide, noting that enriching and integrating data are key to scaling.
Keelvar’s strategic partnerships with organizations like Xeneta and SpendHQ were showcased as essential to expanding the platform’s capabilities. These integrations allow for seamless data flow, improved market insights, and enhanced automation across categories.
Notably, exceleratedS2P and SpendHQ launched their new integrations at the event, which were met with excitement. It was clear that by working closely with key partners, Keelvar ensures that its customers can leverage best-in-class tools to optimize their sourcing processes, paving the way for smarter, more efficient procurement strategies.
One of the most exciting sessions at Keelvar Konnect was the Product Roadmap, led by Tara Dixon, VP Product, who shared an exciting look into the future of Keelvar’s technology.
Plenty was spoken about, including seamless data flow, with integrations into ERP systems and sourcing pipelines to ensure smooth end-to-end automation. One of the most anticipated announcements was the launch of Rate Manager, now in beta, offering an exclusive opportunity for early users.
Rate Manager is designed to help procurement teams streamline the process of managing complex rate structures across multiple categories, providing visibility and control to make informed decisions efficiently.
As Tara noted, "Rate Manager is not just about simplifying rate management; it’s about giving procurement teams the visibility and control they need to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently."
"Rate Manager is not just about simplifying rate management; it’s about giving procurement teams the visibility and control they need to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently"
The event also featured interactive workshops focused on identifying automation opportunities and change management strategies, along with a Build a Bot session, which allowed attendees to create sourcing bots in real-time.
The roundtables were particularly popular, as customers shared best practices and success stories, making these sessions a highlight of the event.
To learn more, read our blog by Keelvar's Head of Professional Services EMEA, Paul Dreano
Keelvar Konnect 2024 was a celebration of innovation in the procurement world. The event provided clear evidence that Keelvar’s solutions are delivering measurable results for customers like Mars, Henkel, and KK Wind, while also laying the groundwork for the next generation of procurement technology. The insights shared by industry leaders illustrated just how transformative Keelvar’s platform can be in driving efficiency, sustainability, and strategic growth.
With customers including Coca-Cola and Exxon Mobil having taken part in previous iterations of Keelvar Konnect, Keelvar’s mission to scale sourcing excellence is well on its way to reshaping the future of procurement for major enterprises across the globe.
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