Client
Dairy organization
Industry
Consumer goods
Primary goal
Improve transport planning and forecasting
Make transport planning AI-optimized
Transport planners operate daily at the intersection of time, capacity, and quality. Deliveries must be made on time, while a mix of controllable and uncontrollable factors comes together in a single plan. It is precisely this accumulation of variables that can make determining the optimal route complex.
KPMG in the Netherlands observed this challenge firsthand in the dairy industry, where complexity is further increased by the nature of the product. Fresh milk and other perishable raw materials require tight time windows and precise coordination. Fat and protein levels vary by supplier, volumes differ by location, and contractual agreements determine where raw materials can be processed.
The core question becomes how to transport fresh dairy from dozens of farms to the right processing facility, via the right routes, without loss of quality and at the lowest possible cost. There was a clear need for a scalable, data-driven solution that combines speed, accuracy, and stronger decision-making.
Client transformation journey
- Before
- During
- After
Manual planning creates inefficiency and risk
In practice, planning was largely done manually, using extensive Excel files as a foundation, supported by experience and intuition. This made the process labor-intensive and prone to errors, while the perishability and bacterial sensitivity of the product increased overall risk. If a tanker was on the road for too long, an entire load could be rejected, resulting in immediate financial impact. The complexity of coordinating routes, timing, and quality requirements placed significant pressure on planners to make optimal decisions under time constraints.
AI optimization transforms transport planning decisions
Together with the dairy organization, KPMG in Netherlands developed an AI-driven planning assistant that leverages existing data on transport orders, fleet composition, driver availability, and product specifications. Based on this data, an optimal plan is generated within a short time frame.
At its core is a constraint-based optimization model in which multiple conditions jointly determine the outcome. Thousands of variables — including routes, volumes, contractual agreements, fat and protein levels and available capacity — are calculated simultaneously and translated into a single plan that meets all operational requirements.
The cloud-based solution uses an advanced optimization engine and can be continuously updated with new information, such as fat and protein volumes collected along routes, changes in production requests at plants, or prices of raw milk at the spot market for buying or selling. This creates a dynamic system that not only optimizes but also adapts to the reality of daily operations.
Greater efficiency and smarter decision-making at scale
For planners, this marks a clear shift in responsibilities. Less time is spent on manual puzzle-solving, enabling greater focus on oversight, exception handling, and strategic decision-making.
The initial optimization focused on improving transport planning efficiency and generated significant operational savings. It also enabled the organization to consider additional operational objectives, including reducing CO₂ emissions and optimizing driver utilization. The dairy organization’s well-structured data foundation proved to be a key enabler of these outcomes.
With this approach, the organization now has a scalable solution that improves the collection and delivery of raw materials. Continuous optimization based on real-time data leads to lower costs, reduced waste, and better-informed decisions, while enabling further digitalization and the integration of sustainability goals across the transport chain.
How we make the difference
KPMG brings together AI, optimization, and deep logistics capabilities to help organizations solve complex operational challenges. By co-developing solutions that are grounded in real-world constraints, the team help clients move from manual planning to smarter, data-driven decision-making that works in daily operations.
We welcome the opportunity to help you optimize your supply chain and unlock greater efficiency.
KPMG. Make the Difference.
Meet the team
Some of the imagery/videos were developed with support of AI technology.
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