Belgian brewery Duvel Moortgat has been a cornerstone of the beer industry since 1871, growing from a local family business into an internationally recognized player. This growth, fueled by strategic acquisitions across the globe—including Boulevard Brewing Company in the U.S., Brouwerij ’t IJ in the Netherlands, and Birrificio del Ducato in Italy—has brought not only financial success but also new challenges in managing a complex and diverse workforce. With employees across multiple countries, the company recognized the pressing need for a unified approach to human resources.
Managing complexity in a global HR landscape.
“Our growth through acquisition has added a layer of complexity to the organization,” says Ingrid Marcelis, chief human resources officer at Duvel Moortgat, “complexity in terms of culture, ways of working, systems, and processes. We now see a greater need to make HR decisions based on HR data, but we simply didn’t have that HR data available in one place.”
As Duvel Moortgat’s global footprint expanded, so did its challenges. With HR data scattered across disparate systems, the brewery faced hurdles in standardizing processes and generating meaningful insights. “We wanted data that would help us build our HR strategy, especially in terms of people development, to make sure we have a consistent approach worldwide,” Marcelis notes.
To address these issues, the company set ambitious goals: consolidate its data, standardize its processes, and provide tools to better develop and engage its nearly 2,000 employees worldwide.
We wanted data that would help us build our HR strategy, especially in terms of people development, to make sure we have a consistent approach worldwide.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Why Duvel Moortgat chose Workday and PwC.
Duvel Moortgat turned to Workday to serve as the backbone of its HR transformation. “We liked the look and feel of the system and how easy it was to use. Workday also offered what we need to be able to continue to build on our roadmap,” Marcelis explains.
When it came to implementation, the brewery partnered with PwC Belgium, whose deep expertise in HR technology and global transformation projects made it the perfect fit. “The team proved to be extremely knowledgeable from the very beginning, and we had a good connection from the start,” Marcelis shares. “They think alongside us, rather than just telling us what to do, so that we’ve got a system that really fits our context. We really were all in it together.”
Eva De Vries, director in PwC Belgium’s HR Technology practice, underscores the significance of tailoring Workday to Duvel Moortgat’s unique needs. “Workday’s flexibility allows us to configure and overcome obstacles, ensuring a smooth transition,” De Vries explains. From payroll integrations to compensation reporting, PwC Belgium’s guidance helped Duvel Moortgat tackle its “big rocks”—the fundamental challenges in its HR strategy.
One system, one solution for HR excellence.
The introduction of Workday has created a single source of truth for HR data, consolidating information such as organizational charts, diversity metrics, and employee age brackets. This standardization not only enables better decision-making but also empowers employees.
“We want one button, one system that ensures data integration and provides instant access to relevant information,” Marcelis emphasizes. “Employees should have an easy way to view their personal data and explore career opportunities within the company. We want a user-friendly system that supports informed decision-making, streamlines HR processes, and makes our employees more engaged and empowered.”
PwC Belgium’s role extended beyond implementation, as it continued to support Duvel Moortgat with training and adoption efforts. Boot camps were organized for employees who would use the system intensively, ensuring everyone felt comfortable and equipped to leverage the new tools. “The PwC team shares everything with us, the good and the bad, and alerted us to the need for availability of internal resources to make its introduction a success,” Marcelis recalls.
While the current implementation addresses immediate challenges, Duvel Moortgat is already looking ahead. “Given the current size of our organization, the platform may be more extensive than we currently need, but it offers a scalable solution that can grow with us and support our future expansion,” Marcelis explains. “We can add modules, such as recruiting, advanced compensation, and more payroll integrations in other countries, as well as other entities as we acquire them.”
The brewery also plans to use the Workday training module to launch its Growth Academy, a platform focused on employee development. This initiative will give employees access to training programs aimed at fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
Of course, implementing such a comprehensive system brings some challenges, especially within international companies. However, Workday’s flexibility allows us to configure and overcome these obstacles, ensuring a smooth transition
Director, HR Technology at PwC Belgium
Future-ready HR.
Duvel Moortgat’s digital transformation is not just about streamlining HR processes; it’s also about creating a foundation for future success. By integrating its systems and ensuring compliance with upcoming regulations such as the European Equal Pay Directive, the company is demonstrating its commitment to fair and transparent practices.
“By reducing administrative tasks and providing quick access to relevant information, it will become easier to follow up on HR administration and facilitate the personal growth of our employees within the company,” Marcelis notes.
Duvel Moortgat’s collaboration with Workday and PwC Belgium has been pivotal in advancing the company’s HR strategy. By combining Workday technology with PwC’s expertise, the brewery is strengthening its HR processes and preparing for future growth.
“Working with PwC Belgium has enabled us to progress much more quickly along our HR roadmap than we’d have been able to do alone,” Marcelis concludes. As its digital transformation progresses, Duvel Moortgat is moving closer to a more data-driven and efficient HR future.