Big Dutchman Accelerates Digital Transformation with UKG
- Reduces payroll preparation time by approximately 50%, accelerating month-end processes and improving efficiency
- Provides real-time visibility into time accounts, vacation balances, and absences for faster decision-making and improved transparency
- Consolidates fragmented processes into a single platform, enabling daily monitoring and reducing manual errors
“We are now ready for payroll by the second working day of the new month. That’s a big win.”
About Big Dutchman
Big Dutchman is a global provider of feeding and housing systems for modern livestock farming. The organization employs 3,567 people in 48 countries and is active in over 170 countries. Complex shift models with a wide variety of patterns to meet fluctuating demand and ensure continuous operations make time management critical for HR and payroll.
Challenges
Prior to UKG, Big Dutchman used an ERP-based system for workforce management, including time and absence recording. Much of the work was manual, placing an administrative burden on managers. This resulted in errors, limited transparency, and high effort. Managers lacked real-time insights, controlling relied on manual reports, and payroll spent significant time each month on corrections. “When I joined the company seven and a half years ago, it was clear: something had to change in time management.” Franz-Josef Moormann, Payroll Team
Solutions
Big Dutchman first used a general HR system for workforce needs. As its time requirements grew, the team needed a more modern approach to time management. The company chose UKG Pro Workforce Management™ for easy integration, support for complex shift models, and an intuitive experience. The goal was clear: use UKG to modernize time processes and reduce the workload for payroll, controlling, and managers.
Within 6 months, Big Dutchman, UKG, and UKG implementation partner ABS Team conducted process analysis, workshops, and training to develop a blueprint for implementing and rolling out UKG Pro Workforce Management. “We were close to the system from the start, tested early, and made adjustments. That helped us respond quickly to challenges.” Franz-Josef Moormann
Change Management
Introducing UKG time clocks was a major step, and the shift took time. Early on, there were a few clock-ins and bookings that needed correction, but UKG dashboards flagged discrepancies before they became bigger issues.
Training started early and stayed consistent. Managers and shift planners tested the system before go-live, which built confidence and reduced resistance.
After launch, new roles and permissions were added for groups such as temporary workers and executive assistants. These needs became clear during live operations.
Throughout the process, ABS stayed closely involved. The team responded quickly to new requirements, supported change requests, and continued advising even after go-live. This collaboration helped solve issues pragmatically and optimize the system step by step.
Results
With UKG Pro Workforce Management, payroll preparation time reduced by approximately 50%, with reports now ready by the second working day of the new month –shortening the process by at least two to three days. Data quality has improved significantly, giving managers real-time visibility into time accounts, vacation balances, and absences. This enables faster decision-making and reduces inquiries from employees. With fewer manual steps, faster error resolution, and transparent oversight, the process is now more stable and efficient. Work that was fragmented now happens in one place and can be monitored daily. “We are now ready for payroll by the second working day of the new month. That’s a big win.” Franz-Josef Moormann
Big Dutchman plans to roll out advanced scheduling in logistics to help improve demand matching and further strengthen controlling. Initial workshops are complete, and implementation is planned for 2026. “Big Dutchman is a prime example of active project involvement and clear requirements – that makes the difference.” — Rene Pfeiffer, Consulting Manager ABS Team
Partnership with ABS Team
The partnership between Big Dutchman and ABS was a cornerstone of the project’s success. As the implementation partner, ABS brought both technical expertise and a strong understanding of Big Dutchman’s processes. From early workshops and blueprint creation through go-live and beyond, the teams worked in close alignment to ensure the system fit the company’s needs.
ABS Team proved to be more than a service provider — it was a trusted partner. Open communication, quick response times, and a commitment to creating tailored solutions-built confidence and accelerated progress. Even after go-live, ABS Team continues to support new requirements and future enhancements. This collaboration shows how essential true partnership is for successful digital transformation.