Naturipe Deploys SAP Cloud ERP Private to Modernize Supply Chain Operations

Naturipe Farms is modernizing its core operations with SAP to improve supply chain visibility, accelerate decision-making, and better manage the risks associated with transporting highly perishable products at scale.

The farmer-owned berry producer supplies strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries to global customers. Operating in a category defined by short shelf life, weather variability, and tight delivery windows, Naturipe relies on speed, coordination, and visibility across its supply chain to maintain product quality.

Modernizing ERP for a Supply Chain Handling Perishable Products

Naturipe has been an SAP customer since 2008 and migrated to SAP S/4HANA in 2018. Since then, the company has completed three upgrades, most recently moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private (formerly RISE with SAP) in March, as part of a broader effort to keep its core ERP environment current as the business scales.

Carol McMillan, Naturipe’s senior IT director, said, “We migrated to RISE with SAP, and we are looking at how we use those tools to optimize our supply chain and to create a better user experience for our workforce. Our workforce is constantly changing, and technology needs to change with the workforce.”

For a business handling highly perishable products, effective planning and execution across the supply chain depend on timely access to accurate operational data, the company said.

“Berries have a very short shelf life, so getting the best quality to our customers as quickly as possible is essential,” McMillan said.

Using SAP S/4HANA, Naturipe gains faster access to operational data that supports more informed decision-making across harvesting, logistics, and delivery. A standardized and stable SAP core also helps the company manage frequent upgrades with less disruption as operations scale.

Shifting to SAP Cloud ERP Private

By moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private, Naturipe has shifted to a cloud-based operating model that supports more frequent upgrades and greater system stability.

This approach allows the company to standardize its core processes while reducing the operational burden of managing infrastructure. It also enables IT teams to focus on system reliability and business support rather than maintenance.

The company is using its SAP environment to improve supply chain visibility and decision-making while also supporting a workforce that continues to evolve as operations grow.

Keeping systems current has become a risk-management strategy, particularly in an industry where business growth can outpace legacy technology.

“It’s just as risky to not upgrade your technology as it is to have an aggressive timeline and have the tools that you need in order to drive that exponential growth,” McMillan said.

Looking ahead, Naturipe plans to continue expanding its use of RISE with SAP and is evaluating how artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities available on the platform could be applied responsibly to support operations and user experience over time.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

Supply chains handling perishable products demand real-time ERP execution. For produce companies, ERP systems play a direct role in product quality. Naturipe’s use of SAP S/4HANA highlights how real-time data and integrated planning support faster decisions in time-sensitive environments.

Cloud ERP enables continuous modernization. For SAPinsiders, the takeaway is that moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private replaces disruptive, large-scale upgrades with a more continuous innovation cycle. Keeping the SAP core current helps reduce technical debt, improves security and performance, and allows organizations to adopt new capabilities faster as business demands evolve.

Cloud-based SAP platforms are laying the groundwork for AI adoption. For SAPinsiders, the message is clear: Moving to SAP Cloud ERP Private helps centralize enterprise data and creates a stronger foundation for embedded AI, analytics, and automation.

Want to learn more about Naturipe’s cloud ERP journey? Brian Galloway, senior technical architect at Naturipe Farms, will share the company’s experience implementing SAP Cloud ERP Private as part of its broader modernization strategy at SAPinsider Las Vegas. Hear Brian Galloway at SAPinsider Las Vegas.