Following two strategic acquisitions, Takeda, a global biopharmaceutical leader, faced operational fragmentation across its expanding footprint. With over 80 countries under its umbrella and more than 72 disconnected SAP systems in play, the company encountered major challenges in data consolidation, intercompany collaboration, and supply chain visibility.
In response, Takeda launched a company-wide business process reengineering program, choosing Trinet Technologies as its strategic partner to lead this complex transformation. The goal: streamline global operations by deploying a single, harmonized SAP template without disrupting daily operations.
Building a Unified System of Record
Takeda’s transformation unfolded in multiple phases, beginning with a feasibility study conducted across 15 countries. This study set the foundation for identifying what global excellence would look like for Takeda. The team then designed an end-to-end global process model—balancing standardization with the flexibility needed for regional needs.
Pilot implementations in Austria and Ireland paved the way for global deployment. By 2019, 54 countries had successfully adopted the unified SAP system, consolidating operations under a single source of truth.
This unification enabled:
- Integrated financials across geographies
- Streamlined intercompany planning
- Improved supply chain coordination
- A robust foundation for RPA-driven efficiency
A Strategic Collaboration with Trinet Technologies
Takeda chose Trinet Technologies for its proven expertise in large-scale SAP rollouts and personalized engagement model. Trinet provided a global delivery team, end-to-end project management, and application management services (AMS) to maintain the platform post-implementation.
Trinet’s approach emphasized learning through each deployment. After encountering early challenges during the Germany manufacturing facility rollout, the team paused to refine its methodology, ensuring future rollouts were smoother and more scalable.
Trinet also facilitated an Accelerated Solutions Environment (ASE) session for Takeda’s Japan-based teams. This initiative helped align stakeholders, overcome resistance to change, and build internal momentum behind the digital transformation effort.
“AI has the power to reshape preventive care, but only when it is built on trust, transparency, and empathy. Through our partnership with the AI4HealthyAging consortium, we are proud to lead a new chapter in patient-centric innovation that respects both privacy and progress.”
Driving Cultural and Operational Change
With the new global system in place, Takeda witnessed major gains—not only in operational efficiency, but also in its cultural mindset. Real-time planning between regions like Ireland and Japan became seamless, eliminating delays once caused by disparate platforms and manual data transfers.
The integrated SAP system allowed Takeda to scale automation initiatives quickly and set the stage for innovation across finance, manufacturing, and supply chain functions.
By reducing the number of support vendors from over 40 to a single AMS team led by Trinet, Takeda achieved significant cost optimization and operational stability.
A Platform for Sustainable Global Growth
This transformation journey has enabled Takeda to operate as a truly global organization with real-time visibility, streamlined operations, and a common digital backbone.
The consistent cadence, strong stakeholder engagement, and deep collaboration with Trinet Technologies ensured the project’s success—laying the groundwork for future growth, agility, and innovation.
