Branston – ERP System Selection Support

Guiding a leading UK potato supplier through ERP system selection.

The client

Founded in 1968, Branston is one of the UK’s largest potato suppliers, operating sites in Lincoln, Scotland, and the South West. Handling around 350,000 tonnes of potatoes each year, Branston produces fresh potatoes, sweet potatoes, seed potatoes, and a wide range of peeled and prepared products.

The company supplies retail, wholesale, and food manufacturing customers, working closely with dedicated growers to deliver consistent quality and high standards every day. In addition, Branston has expanded into producing innovative prepared ranges for the retail and foodservice markets, supported by continued investment in innovation and sustainability that strengthens its role as a trusted partner in the UK food industry.

Service: ERP Project Governance, ERP Requirements & SOR, ERP Selection

Industry: distribution

Location: UK

Website: branston.com

The challenge

Branston recognised the need for a new ERP system to support its growing and diverse operations. The business had already undertaken significant internal work, with teams across functions documenting requirements in the form of detailed MoSCoW lists (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have). To move forward, Branston required:

  • External expertise to review and refine existing requirements.
  • Guidance to translate internal needs into vendor-ready documentation.
  • A structured process to identify and evaluate the right ERP suppliers.

The solution

Gradient joined Branston’s in-progress initiative, ensuring their internal work was respected and built upon. Rather than impose a rigid new framework, Gradient provided a methodology that adapted to Branston’s starting point and brought structure to the vendor evaluation process.

“It was refreshing to work with someone prepared to take on board what we had already done and where we wanted to go – rather than force us to work ‘their way’. This allowed Gradient to seamlessly join and positively influence a running project.”

Branston

The approach

Gradient’s involvement focused on translating Branston’s requirements into a clear, actionable vendor process:

  • Requirements mapping: Converted MoSCoWs into a structured Statement of Requirements, ensuring traceability from business needs to vendor responses.
  • Vendor evaluation: Identified suitable vendors, managed responses, and scored submissions.
  • Structured demonstrations: Facilitated detailed vendor demos against scripted scenarios, ensuring Branston could evaluate solutions consistently.
  • Phased planning: Helped Branston determine which requirements would be met in initial phases and which would follow later.
  • Education and alignment: Supported Branston’s teams in understanding ERP terminology, enabling better expectations of standard vs. bespoke functionality.

The result

Branston benefited from a collaborative and structured ERP selection process that:

  • Ensured clarity and completeness of requirements.
  • Gave thread owners direct involvement, fostering buy-in and ownership.
  • Allowed vendors to respond effectively, with clear traceability to Branston’s needs.
  • Delivered confidence in selecting the right ERP system and partner.

By building on Branston’s preparatory work, Gradient helped secure an ERP platform aligned with the business’s long-term needs, strengthening its ability to supply UK retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers efficiently.