McCormick & Co. has entered into a partnership with global supply‑chain software firm OMP to launch the Unison Planning platform, an AI‑driven, autonomous operational‑planning system that will manage both assembly‑to‑order (ATO) and make‑to‑stock (MTS) processes across the company’s global network.
The new platform will use machine‑learning algorithms to forecast demand, optimize inventory levels, schedule production, and route distribution, with an initial rollout in Canada and the United States and a planned expansion to EMEA and Asia‑Pacific. By automating these planning functions, McCormick expects to cut lead times, improve responsiveness to market demand, and increase throughput in its manufacturing facilities.
The partnership is a key element of McCormick’s ongoing digital‑transformation agenda, which has been underway since 2023. It is intended to offset rising commodity costs and tariff pressures that have eroded margins, while positioning the company to maintain a competitive edge in the flavor industry. The AI platform is expected to deliver cost savings through tighter inventory control and reduced waste, and to enhance operational leverage as the system scales across the supply chain.
Whitney Shlesinger, Vice President of Global Planning and Logistics, said, “We’re excited about Unison Planning as part of our roadmap for digital transformation. By embracing AI, we can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen our supply chain against volatility.” CEO Brendan M. Foley added that the investment supports the company’s “differentiated and sustainable volume‑led growth” strategy and helps offset the impact of commodity and tariff headwinds.
McCormick’s recent earnings releases have shown strong revenue and earnings beats, but the company has lowered its FY2025 guidance to an adjusted EPS range of $3.03–$3.08, below analyst consensus of $3.12. Investors have focused on the revised outlook and the $140 million annualized tariff exposure, which underscores the importance of the AI partnership as a long‑term risk‑mitigation tool.
The Unison Planning rollout is expected to begin in the next quarter, with full deployment across the global supply chain anticipated by the end of 2026. The partnership signals McCormick’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to sustain profitability amid commodity and tariff pressures.
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