GROFA Action Sports GmbH is one of the leading brand distributors for bikes, sports, outdoor gear, powersports, electronics, and e-mobility in Germany and Austria. For decades, the company has been synonymous with expertise, reliability, and sustainable growth. Together with DATAGROUP, a comprehensive SAP transformation was successfully implemented.
As part of a new implementation, SAP ECC was migrated to SAP Cloud ERP Private Edition. The goal was to build a future-proof ERP landscape that sustainably supports growth, innovation, and transparency.
The Project in Numbers
 Cutover planning involving over 500 individual activities |
 237 transports via the transport management system |
 Migration of, among other things, 8,500 items and 6,200 orders |
An Evolving System Landscape Meets Rising Demands
The existing SAP ECC landscape had grown over the years and reliably supported day-to-day operations. However, structures that had evolved over time led to increasing complexity and limited future viability.
As the company continued to expand, demands for scalability, internationalization, and transparency increased. The goal was to build a modern ERP platform that enables growth, standardizes processes, and supports real-time decision-making. At the same time, the aim was to create a scalable technological foundation for future digitization and innovation initiatives.
“I—just like my colleagues from other management circles—have never experienced an SAP project being implemented without a single red light.”
Thorsten Kochanek, CEO of GROFA Action Sports GmbH
Structured Project Implementation with SAP Activate and Cloud ALM
The project implementation followed a clearly structured approach based on the SAP Activate methodology in combination with SAP Cloud ALM. This approach ensured transparency, quality, and reliability across all project phases. A consistentbest-practice approach, along with a Fiori-only strategy, ensured a modern user experience and high acceptance among employees.
As part of the technical implementation, extensive data sets were migrated, including approximately 8,500 items, about 6,200 orders with over 100,000 line items, and around 500 purchase orders with about 15,000 line items. In addition, B2B and B2C web shops as well as an external logistics service provider were integrated. Detailed go-live planning comprising over 500 individual activities, along with a structured financial go-live involving the year-end closing in the legacy system, formed the foundation for a smooth transition to production.
“With the successful go-live of SAP S/4HANA, we have reached an important milestone in the further development of our organization. The new system landscape provides transparency, scalability, and a robust foundation for our future business processes. Crucial to this success was the close, collaborative partnership among all stakeholders, as well as a clear focus on feasibility and genuine added value.”
Daniel Stiehl, COO, GROFA Action Sports GmbH
Stable Go-Live Thanks to Thorough Preparation
The transition to production went according to plan and without disrupting day-to-day business operations. The stable system landscape and meticulous preparation enabled a smooth launch without any critical incidents.
The value of the new solution was evident right from the start: high transparency in finance, logistics, and sales; improved process consistency; and a consistent data foundation. In addition, initial innovative features such as embedded analytics and predictive accounting were successfully integrated into day-to-day operations.
About GROFA
GROFA Action Sports GmbH is an established brand distributor with over 35 years of experience in the premium segment. The company employs approximately 110 people and operates internationally in Germany, Austria, and other European markets. GROFA stands for expertise, reliability, and sustainable growth in the distribution of renowned premium brands.
