KOLB: In 10 Months to a Digital Future with SAP S/4HANA

Aug 18, 2025

discrete manufacturing
SAP

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Discover how KOLB, a packaging manufacturer with over 90 years of tradition, transformed its ERP landscape with SAP S/4HANA in just 10 months – unlocking new efficiency, automation, and future readiness.

The KOLB Group

The KOLB Group, a family-owned business based in Memmingen, Germany, has been synonymous with high-quality corrugated cardboard packaging solutions since 1933. With a strong spirit of innovation and a clear focus on quality and customer proximity, KOLB develops customized packaging solutions – from initial concept to finished product.

Challenge

KOLB faced increasing system complexity due to legacy ECC infrastructure and inconsistent data structures across logistics and master data. The growing IT burden, coupled with demographic shifts and skills shortages, threatened their ability to scale and innovate digitally.

Solution

The company partnered with delaware and SNP to migrate to SAP S/4HANA using a selective Bluefield™ approach. Within just 10 months, KOLB implemented a harmonized system landscape, SAP Fiori apps, and future-ready IT architecture – all completed in a 20-hour go-live with no production downtime.

Results

The transformation delivered a modern SAP environment with streamlined processes, reduced IT workload, and readiness for automation and AI. With new initiatives like FAST MES, real-time analytics, and machine integration underway, KOLB is well-positioned for long-term digital growth.

The Challenge: Reducing complexity and securing the future

Over time, KOLB’s system landscape had grown increasingly complex and difficult to maintain. In addition to the need to replace the soon-to-be unsupported ECC system, KOLB faced several critical challenges:

Harmonizing logistics and master data structure
Establishing a future-proof IT landscape with a focus on AI and automation
Addressing demographic changes and securing IT know-how

The solution: A clear roadmap and strong partnership

Together with delaware and SNP, the KOLB Group developed a roadmap for migrating to SAP S/4HANA, with an ambitious goal: go-live by Easter 2025. The entire project was successfully completed in just 10 months – an exceptionally short timeframe for a transformation of this scale.

This success was made possible through close collaboration, clear communication, and technical excellence:

A vision workshop as the strategic starting point
Selective data migration using the Bluefield™ approach for cleansing and harmonization
Implementation of SAP Fiori apps to optimize processes

Despite the complexity, the migration was executed smoothly: the system was fully transitioned over an extended Easter weekend within just 20 hours – without any production downtime.

The collaboration with the KOLB Group and delaware was constructive and goal-oriented from the very beginning. Thanks to short communication paths, adjustments could be implemented quickly and challenges be resolved in a timely manner. Our long-standing partnership with KOLB was a key factor in the project's success - it enabled a deep understanding of their processes and requirements.

Marc Warlies, Project Manager, delaware Germany

The result: Future-readiness, efficiency & new opportunities

The transformation not only brought KOLB up to date technologically but also laid the foundation for long-term success:

Over 20 years of planning security with SAP S/4HANA
Reduced IT workload through modern, integrated processes

Optimization potential through Fiori and automation
Preparedness for future roadmaps and AI-driven applications

Looking Ahead: Digitizing production and harmonizing systems

With the ERP transformation completed, KOLB is now moving into the next phase: digitizing production and further harmonizing its system landscape. Planned initiatives include:

Implementing FAST MES for cross-plant production control
OEE reporting to increase efficiency
Machine integration with Enlyze for energy data collection
AI-powered real-time analytics
Integration of a sister plant

These initiatives will further enhance production transparency, sustainability, and control – making KOLB even more competitive in the long term.

Ongoing Optimization

Now that go-live is complete, the fine-tuning phase has begun: processes are being further optimized, cost-saving potential is being realized, and the roadmap is being refined. The team led by Josef Emons, Head of Finance, Legal, and IT at KOLB, is ready for the next stage of its digital journey.

We're proud to look back on a successful go-live with the implementation of SAP S/4HANA. This was only possible thanks to the close alignment between our internal experts and our long-standing partners at delaware.

Josef Emons, Head of Finance, Legal & IT at KOLB

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