Ivalua NOW 2026: Emmanuel Gaudin at Hutchinson

Speaking at Ivalua NOW 2026, Emmanuel Gaudin, Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) at Hutchinson, shared how a legacy manufacturing giant is navigating the complexities of modern digital transformation. By bridging the gap between IT and Procurement, Hutchinson is not just upgrading systems, it is reimagining its entire operational strategy.

A legacy of innovation

Hutchinson is a global manufacturing powerhouse with a 170-year heritage. From its roots in rubber products to its current standing as a leader in sealing systems, anti-vibration solutions and power transmission, the company is a critical partner to the automotive, aerospace and defence sectors.

"We are a global company with 100 plants across every continent, 40,000 employees, and a €5 billion turnover," says Emmanuel. Despite the scale, his IT department is lean, with 250 specialists supporting 16,000 users worldwide. For Emmanuel, this efficiency is only possible through a "strategy-first" mindset.

Strategy Before Systems

The catalyst for Hutchinson’s recent transformation is Project Horizon. Emmanuel is firm on one principle: technology must serve a strategic vision, not the other way around.

"I am not here to deliver IT; I am here to deliver solutions to a strategic vision for purchasing, HR, and manufacturing," Emmanuel explains. When Procurement set its new strategy to reduce administration and implement global lead buyers, an audit revealed a fragmented landscape: 25 different ERPs and 16 separate supplier databases.

To support the Horizon strategy, Hutchinson selected Ivalua as its global source-to-pay solution. "We are delivering the right system to the right strategy," Emmanuel notes. "We needed an agile, user-friendly, and dedicated tool for the procurement team that could serve as a single source of truth."

The AI challenge: Control vs chaos

As AI becomes more accessible, Emmanuel identifies a shift from top-down implementation to a "bottom-up" approach, where individual users seek out their own AI products. This presents a unique set of challenges for a CDIO.

"It’s quite tough now to keep control of everything happening in AI. As a CIO, we must maintain control because it is all about data quality, consistency, and cybersecurity. Those data are going to the cloud somewhere."

For Emmanuel, AI’s greatest opportunity lies in empowering the user, accelerating processes like data cleansing and providing intelligent recommendations for costing and supplier selection, provided it remains within a secure, governed framework.

De-risking the S/4HANA journey

Hutchinson is currently undergoing a "brownfield plus" migration to SAP S/4HANA. Many organisations struggle with data quality during such transitions, but Emmanuel has used the IT-Procurement collaboration to de-risk this massive project.

By implementing Ivalua and refining procurement processes first, the team is cleaning legacy data before it ever hits the new ERP. "If you don't have clear data ownership, the quality of data degrades year after year," says Emmanuel. "This strategy helps us accelerate our S/4HANA journey and keep the data as clean as possible. People who are using the data are also responsible for the quality of that data."

The keys to effective collaboration

Emmanuel offers a roadmap for other organisations looking to align IT and business functions:

• Shared Vision & Sponsorship: "You need a common vision and strong sponsorship. It sounds obvious, but it is the most important factor."
• Process First: Don’t jump into the tool. Design the process on "brown paper" first, mapping inputs and outputs before selecting software.
• Clear RACI: Define exactly who is responsible and accountable. At Hutchinson, the lines between IT and the business are blurred through "embedded teams," ensuring IT understands the business's pain points.
• Trust and Respect: Transformation is stressful. Maintaining a culture of proactivity and mutual respect is essential when challenges arise.

By treating digital transformation as a business project rather than an IT project, Emmanuel Gaudin and the Hutchinson team are ensuring that their 170-year legacy continues well into the digital age.