Continuous process improvement for a South African NGO food manufacturer

"Partnering with bpmd has enabled us to investigate our operating model and critical business processes. This clarity informs the foundation for developing depth of understanding in our team which contributes to business growth. Continuous improvements and streamlining processes become part of the life of our business. Thank you bpmd!”– Rose Kransdorff, Chief Executive Officer

First end-to-end

Process Operating Model defined and implemented

Critical processes

Critical processes documented to reduce operational risk

Structured digital roadmap

Structured digital roadmap created to drive long-term growth

Background

We partnered with Econocom Foods, a dedicated food supplier in South Africa focused on improving public health across Africa by tackling type 2 malnutrition, also known as “hidden hunger”, caused by micronutrient deficiencies.

Our support helped both the food manufacturing company and its NGO counterpart address critical process gaps, reducing risk and improving efficiency. This project was delivered on a semi-pro bono basis, reflecting our commitment to ethical initiatives that align with our values.

Through our work, Econocom gained greater visibility into its operations and documented its most critical processes. We also developed a clear roadmap to enhance and digitalise these processes, supporting long-term sustainability and impact.

Challenges and Opportunities

Econocom faced several key challenges that were holding back efficiency and growth.

  • The CEO held extensive knowledge that wasn’t formally documented, making delegation difficult and increasing risk.
  • Training processes weren’t properly documented, leading to costly and time-consuming onboarding.
  • Communication between departments lacked clarity, creating inefficiencies.
  • Many processes were manual and operated outside formal systems.

 

These challenges presented a clear opportunity: by standardising, documenting, and digitalising their processes, Econocom could improve efficiency, reduce risk, and build a stronger foundation for future growth.

Our Approach

We worked closely with Econocom to develop a structured and practical approach to process management.

  • Defined Econocom’s first Process Operating Model, creating a structured approach to their operations.
  • Broke down their strategy into actionable value drivers, ensuring clear links between processes and business goals.
  • Identified the most critical processes that directly impacted these value drivers.
  • Built a prioritised roadmap to modernise and improve the organisation.
  • Used SAP Signavio to digitally document key processes, ensuring knowledge was captured and easily accessible.

Results

  • Top-down visibility – A comprehensive view of all key operations in one place, enabled by SAP Signavio.
  • Captured knowledge – The most critical processes were modelled and documented.
  • A clear future – A structured roadmap for process documentation, improvement, and digitalisation, directly aligned with the company’s strategy.

 

By addressing these challenges and laying the groundwork for digital transformation, Econocom is now in a stronger position to continue its mission of fighting hidden hunger efficiently and effectively.