With over 175 years of chocolate heritage, Barry Callebaut produces high-quality chocolate and cocoa products for clients around the world. It serves businesses of all sizes, from global to local, including food manufacturers, hotels, caterers and more. With a sales volume of 2.2 million tons a year, Barry Callebaut is present in one out of every four chocolate products in the world.

Barry Callebaut relies on its network to connect its different factories and locations, facilitate intercompany collaboration and maintain a universal standard of operations. This helps its operations to run smoothly. With a wide distribution of sites around the world, the company requires a global connectivity provider experienced in managing global networks with the ability to find the best local access partners to connect even the most remote locations.

The solution

A next-generation network

The discovery process involved several stages, starting with a proof-of-concept, followed by a three-site pilot across Africa and Europe. After a thorough diligence process, Barry Callebaut ultimately chose GTT’s Managed SD-WAN, coupled with its Professional Services package, to help transform its current network and establish its fourth-generation global WAN.

“When looking at SD-WAN providers, we knew we needed someone with the reach and expertise to securely and reliably connect to even our most remote locations in developing countries,” explained Vandamme. “GTT’s Tier 1 IP backbone and access reach is able to securely and efficiently connect our office and production facilities around the world and take our business to where our suppliers are located as well as extend our market reach. We value having GTT as our one provider that handles all our networking needs.”

A modern WAN architecture

GTT implemented Managed SD-WAN at over 130 Barry Callebaut sites. The SD-WAN solution integrates VMware SD-WAN technology with GTT’s industryleading global Tier 1 internet backbone that connects to six continents, providing private and direct cloud connectivity. GTT’s SD-WAN also enhances the performance of business-critical and supply chain applications for Barry Callebaut.

Most of the manufacturer’s sites feature dual connectivity with a mix of Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) links, ensuring continuous connectivity should one line fail

Professional Services

The inclusion of GTT’s comprehensive managed network solution with Professional Services ensures a consistent global service experience for Barry Callebaut. It benefits from collaborative support and ownership across all project stages, from plan and implementation to ongoing assurance and service management.

GTT has a team of dedicated operational and technical experts providing a seamless, intuitive and personalized experience. Barry Callebaut has engaged with GTT’s designated team to support its Program, Project, Technical and Incident management requirements relating to the worldwide deployment and operation of its fourth generation network.

“The GTT team works as an extension of our in-house IT team. We have effectively collaborated to ensure the integrity of the solution and are continuously making sure the solution aligns with our business goals,” shared Vandamme.

“GTT’s Tier 1 IP backbone and access reach is able to securely and efficiently connect our office and production facilities around the world and take our business to where our suppliers are located as well as extend our market reach. We value having GTT as our one provider that handles all our networking needs.”

Barry Callebaut

The connected future

Industry innovator

Barry Callebaut will continue to drive its market leadership in the wholesale chocolate and cocoa industry through innovation, expansion and sustainability. Efficient supply chain management and production will be key success factors. This means technology, specifically network connectivity, security and performance, will continue to play an important role in the achievement of Barry Callebaut’s market ambitions.

“Through the collaboration with GTT, we have been able to design and build a simplified, agile and efficient network to enable our cloud-first strategy, improving many facets of our global operation from supply chain management to employee productivity,” commented Vandamme. “GTT offers us flexibility together with a solid track record of delivering reliable global network solutions, and it is this balance that makes GTT an ideal partner that aligns with our innovative culture.”