After more than four years of working together, Luxfer trusted delaware to deliver its move to SAP S/4HANA 2023. The upgrade was completed in just a few months, with minimal disruption to the business, lower support costs and a modern platform ready for what's next.
Luxfer has worked with delaware for more than four years, relying on our team for ongoing SAP support and technical guidance. As part of this partnership, Luxfer recently upgraded its SAP landscape from S/4HANA 1809 to S/4HANA 2023 FPS1, bringing their system up to date and ready for future development.
The upgrade was delivered within a tight three‑to‑four‑month timeframe and went live with almost no impact on day‑to‑day operations. This was particularly important given the disruption Luxfer had experienced during an earlier SAP implementation with another partner.
Our long‑standing relationship with Luxfer meant we already had a clear view of their environment and how their teams operate. This familiarity allowed us to plan the upgrade carefully and ensure the work aligned with their operational needs.
The project was delivered through a combined team of UK consultants, GDC specialists and Luxfer’s own SAP staff. This collaborative approach ensured strong communication, shared ownership and a steady delivery rhythm from planning through to go‑live.
Luxfer’s main concern was avoiding disruption to the business. Their previous SAP implementation had caused significant challenges, so there was understandable caution around undertaking another major change.
The upgrade needed to:
To ensure a smooth transition, the project focused on:
This structured approach meant Luxfer remained informed and supported at every stage.
During the upgrade, it became clear that several legacy developments from Luxfer’s earlier implementation were no longer fit for purpose. Some weren’t clean‑core compliant; others had been designed in ways that simply wouldn’t stand up to a modern S/4HANA environment. Rather than patch over the issues, delaware took a more forward‑thinking approach. The team identified and removed blocking code, set out a clear plan for remediation and redesign, and rebuilt the affected components so that upgrade‑critical functionality could move ahead without interruption.
This work not only ensured a smooth transition to the new release, but also left Luxfer with a cleaner, more robust platform that will be far easier to maintain and evolve in the years ahead.
Gill Begnor, Project Manager at delawareProject Manager insightOur work with Luxfer was a great example of what can be achieved when both sides are fully invested. They were a supportive, highly engaged customer who brought real technical and functional expertise to the table. That level of involvement made the project a genuinely collaborative effect, which in turn led to a smooth delivery, and remarkably, an actually enjoyable go-live weekend.
The upgrade was delivered on schedule and with a level of ease that exceeded expectations. The business experienced very little impact during the transition, helping rebuild confidence following their earlier implementation challenges.
As well as bringing Luxfer onto a fully supported, modern SAP platform, the upgrade has delivered immediate commercial benefits by reducing their ongoing support costs. Just as importantly, it has created a strong foundation for the future. With access to the latest SAP capabilities, Luxfer is now in a far better position to explore new innovations and continue evolving its systems in line with the needs of the business.
Internally, the upgrade has landed exceptionally well. The fact that it went largely unnoticed shows how smoothly it was delivered, which has put delaware in a very positive light. Having now completed the journey, we're happy to be a reference point for other customers looking to understand what the process involves.Jamie Savage, Director of Finance at Luxfer MEL Technologies
With the move to S/4HANA 2023 FPS1, Luxfer now has a modern and reliable SAP platform that will support their future plans. We continue to work closely with them through ongoing application management and strategic guidance.
