Masters of supply chain planning
What we do
We have a passion to improve supply chain planning processes. Whether it is in the area of forecasting demand, production or procurement planning, inventory optimization, scheduling machine and labor operations or determining delivery dates for customer orders: we like to make these processes better.
Often our projects aim to make planning processes more efficient by reducing manual effort and throughput time. This can be done by optimizing the implementation of your existing systems. In other cases, the introduction of more powerful planning functions, modules or systems is required which combine information from multiple sources, significantly reduce manual work and increase the quality of decision making. And sometimes, these drastically improved planning processes enable complete new business processes.
In our projects we provide business consultancy and usually play a leading role in the design and implementation of the improvement projects. Most implementation projects utilize the power of the SAP ® Supply Chain Planning suite in the area of S/4HANA, ECC, IBP and APO. Systems and modules we focus on are IBP order based planning (Response & Supply), S/4HANA embedded PP/DS (ePP/DS) and S/4HANA embedded Advanced ATP (aATP).
Personal background
Following an extensive career working for various multinational corporations and consultancy firms, Pascal Merkx launched his own consultancy business in 2023 under the name Ippon Supply Chain Planning. The name “ippon” is inspired by his judo roots from his school days. Currently, Pascal operates Ippon Supply Chain Planning as a solo entrepreneur.
Pascal started his career after completing his studies of Industrial Engineering and Management Science (MSc) and the post graduate program Logistical Control Systems (PDEng) at the University of Technology in Eindhoven in 1998.
In this period he developed a passion for planning in all its facets. Improved decision making and increased efficiency are his major drivers. The planning concepts he learned during his studies require adequate supporting tools in order to be used effectively. Therefore, his interests soon expanded to IT to be able to deliver measurable improvements.
During his career he has worked on the functional side of supply chain planning applications (ERP and APS). In the first years of his career he worked as business analyst for large multinationals like GE Plastics, Philips and NXP were he acted as the linking pin between users and suppliers of supply chain planning applications.
In 2007 he stepped into the consultancy world and took up the role of SAP Supply Chain Planning functional consultant. He works in the area of system configuration for SAP Supply Chain Planning (SAP IBP | APO and S/4HANA | ECC). He has done many projects involving the four main APO modules (DP/SNP/PPDS/GATP), S/4HANA ePPDS and recently IBP Order based planning. In his first projects he was responsible for a single module. Later he took up the roles of lead consultant and architect of the complete planning solution.
The ‘Ippon’ Philosophy: Your Decisive Advantage
In Judo, an ‘Ippon’ is the ultimate score: a single, perfectly executed move that decisively wins the match. It’s not about minor tweaks or temporary fixes; it’s about flawless, strategic execution. We apply this philosophy to your supply chain. We don’t search for incremental improvements. We engineer the one decisive advantage that strengthens your market position and secures your success.
Competencies
Sales & Operations planning
The monthly planning process where demand and supply are evaluated on aggregated level sets the targets and boundaries for the operational activities.
Demand planning
A demand plan uses historical sales data and information regarding future market developments. It will drive most other activities in supply chain planning.
Supply planning
The goal of supply planning is to meet the demand with the least possible delay, taking into account the most important capacity restrictions in the network.
Production scheduling
At best, the supply planning process has taken the most important capacity restrictions into account, but that does not mean that the resulting production schedule is feasible, since many more detailed restrictions in production are likely to exist. A scheduling tool is needed to help you generate this realistic production plan.
Sales order confirmation
Confirming sales orders is all about making promises you can keep. Confirmations which cannot be realized will often lead to re-scheduling in production and/or transportation which imply supply chain disruptions, extra costs and manual work. And of course disappointed customers.
Proven Impact Across Industries
We don’t just build plans; we deliver tangible results. For over 25 years, we have helped global leaders in diverse sectors—from High-Tech and Chemicals to Education and Consumer Goods—transform their supply chain challenges into a decisive competitive advantage. Our strategies are proven to enhance clarity, reduce costs, and drive sustainable growth.
Companies Served
Years of Experience
Ready for Your Decisive Advantage?
Stop managing complexity and start creating a strategic advantage. Let’s build a robust supply chain plan that doesn’t just work—it delivers your winning move.