Reduced system downtimes and increased availability with Google Cloud infrastructure
Enhanced operational flexibility for SAP systems using Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
Real-time data-driven decisions enabled by BigQuery
Seamless global collaboration supported by Google Workspace
Agile regulatory compliance with Google Cloud’s scalable infrastructure
Lorenz, a prominent German snack producer exporting to over 80 countries, migrated its SAP systems to Google Cloud for a flexible IT infrastructure to support growth and meet regulatory needs. This transition improved operational efficiency, reduced downtime, and enabled better global collaboration, positioning the company for sustained growth and innovation.
Lorenz, a prominent German snack producer exporting to over 80 countries, migrated its SAP systems to Google Cloud for a flexible IT infrastructure to support growth and meet regulatory needs. This transition improved operational efficiency, reduced downtime, and enabled better global collaboration, positioning the company for sustained growth and innovation.
Laying the foundation for scalable growth
As a leading producer of salty snacks with a presence in over 80 countries, Lorenz faced increasing operational demands and regulatory complexities. The company’s shared services division, led by Carsten Korthaus, recognized the need to modernize their IT infrastructure to sustain growth, streamline processes, and navigate new regulatory landscapes. Migrating their systems to Google Cloud marked a pivotal moment in Bahlsen’s transformation journey.
"We’ve seen consistent growth over the past few years, and despite economic challenges, people don’t stop snacking," says Korthaus. "However, we needed to modernize our IT systems to support this growth and to ensure we could adapt quickly to the regulatory changes we face."
We needed to modernize our IT systems to support this growth and to ensure we could adapt quickly to the regulatory changes we face.
Carsten Korthaus
Managing Director of Lorenz Services, Bahlsen’s shared services division
Migrating SAP to Google Cloud: The cornerstone of Bahlsen's transformation
At the heart of Lorenz’s cloud migration was the decision to move its critical SAP systems to Google Cloud, a strategic step designed to improve operational efficiency, reduce system downtimes, and enhance security. This large-scale migration included multiple SAP system landscapes, covering key business functions such as HR and ERP.
"In collaboration with our partner Public Cloud Group, we executed a lift-and-shift migration of our SAP systems, moving from an outsourced virtual network to Google Cloud," explains Korthaus. "One of the biggest advantages we’ve experienced is the significant reduction in downtimes and the flexibility that Google Cloud provides, allowing us to scale resources dynamically to meet business needs."
Lorenz utilized Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) to manage resource allocation for its SAP systems, enabling precise scaling during peak demand periods. This transition has improved overall system performance, particularly during critical business operations such as production planning and order processing.
One of the biggest advantages we’ve experienced is the significant reduction in downtimes and the flexibility that Google Cloud provides, allowing us to scale resources dynamically to meet business needs.
Carsten Korthaus
Managing Director, Lorenz Services
"The flexibility and scalability of Google Cloud mean we can efficiently handle peaks in demand, which are common in our industry during the holiday season. With GKE, we can optimize resource usage and ensure continuous availability, which wasn’t possible with our previous provider," Korthaus adds.
Optimized demand forecasting and improved operational efficiency
In addition to migrating SAP, Lorenz has adopted a wide range of Google Cloud services to support its business. Compute Engine provides the computing power needed for flexible, scalable operations, while Cloud Storage offers secure and scalable storage for the company’s growing data needs. BigQuery plays a central role in analyzing vast amounts of data, allowing Bahlsen to optimize demand forecasting and make data-driven decisions.
Collaboration is key for us, especially when working across borders. Google Workspace has been instrumental in enabling real-time collaboration between our teams in Germany, Poland, and beyond.
Carsten Korthaus
Managing Director, Lorenz Services
"One of the critical aspects of our digital transformation has been our ability to process and analyze data in real-time using BigQuery," Korthaus explains. "This allows us to make more informed decisions, particularly around production planning and logistics."
To enhance collaboration across its global teams, Lorenz has also fully integrated Google Workspace, allowing employees to collaborate seamlessly across departments and regions. The move to Google Workspace has improved operational efficiency by reducing reliance on legacy systems like shared drives.
"Collaboration is key for us, especially when working across borders. Google Workspace has been instrumental in enabling real-time collaboration between our teams in Germany, Poland, and beyond," says Korthaus.
Tackling regulatory challenges with Google Cloud
Bahlsen’s migration to Google Cloud has also been crucial in helping the company navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. With the introduction of new regulations like e-invoicing in Germany and Poland, and the NIS2 directive from the EU, Lorenz needed an agile solution that could adapt to these legal requirements.
"Google Cloud’s infrastructure has been vital in ensuring we stay compliant with new regulations. It allows us to quickly adapt to changes and meet our legal obligations, particularly around invoicing and data security," Korthaus notes.
Google Cloud’s infrastructure has been vital in ensuring we stay compliant with new regulations. It allows us to quickly adapt to changes and meet our legal obligations, particularly around invoicing and data security.
Carsten Korthaus
Managing Director, Lorenz Services
Leveraging AI to improve the customer experience
Looking ahead, Lorenz plans to take full advantage of Google Cloud’s AI capabilities to further enhance operations. The company is already deploying Vertex AI to support its AI-driven initiatives, including chatbot implementations and product recommendation systems. This will allow Bahlsen to deliver more personalized experiences to its customers and optimize marketing efforts.
"We’ve started rolling out Gemini AI chatbots, and we’re excited about how AI can help us offer the right products to the right customers at the right time," Korthaus says. "This is just the beginning of our journey with AI, and we see tremendous potential for growth in this area."
We’ve started rolling out chatbots based on Gemini, and we’re excited about how AI can help us offer the right products to the right customers at the right time.
Carsten Korthaus
Managing Director, Lorenz Services
Lorenz is a fourth generation independent family owned business and one of the leading snack manufacturers in Europe. Founded in 1889, the company is based in Neu-Isenburg, Germany and employs over 3.000 employees worldwide. With 130 years experience as a brand manufacturer, Lorenz today exports its potato chips, salt sticks, flips, crackers and nuts to over 100 countries around the world.
Industry: Manufacturing
Location: Germany
Products: Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Google Workspace, Vertex AI
About Google Cloud partner — Public Cloud Group
Public Cloud Group (PCG) supports companies in their digital transformation through the use of public cloud solutions.
