“B2Wise isn’t your typical supply chain software company. It’s not driven by buzzwords or bloated tech but by a hard-earned understanding of how businesses run—and how most get inventory planning completely wrong. Since launching in 2016, B2Wise has helped companies worldwide make smarter, faster decisions in a world where volatility is constant.”

Rooted in SA, Designed for the World

Now based in Boston to lead North American expansion, Kevin’s operational heart is still South African. “We’re building our global support hub in Somerset West to anchor our growth from South Africa,” Kevin shares. “It is not just my way of investing back; South Africans do a fantastic job.”

This is more than sentiment—it’s strategy. Young Saffas are being trained to support global clients, proving that talent and resilience from Mzanzi can go head-to-head with the best worldwide. Kevin adds: “Young South Africans joining us gain global exposure and a chance to shine internationally. Over 30 years, I’ve seen the world—and I can say confidently we’re not behind. We have the talent, the grit, and the mindset to compete with the best. We were lucky to catch the wave of DDMRP (demand driven material requirements planning)—a new approach to planning more suited to today’s VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and  ambiguous) world,” says CEO Kevin Boake from his Boston, USA, office. Rooted in South Africa but operating across six continents, B2Wise is trusted by manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain leaders tired of traditional systems letting them down.

Solving Real Problems with Real-World Tools

Before B2Wise, Kevin spent decades immersed in supply chain processes and tech. “I’ve always had one goal: to build a global business and make a real impact,” he shares.

That ambition started in South Africa. “I graduated in Industrial Engineering from Wits University in 1991 and joined a small inventory and demand management company. I quickly became passionate about the subject—astonished at how poorly companies managed their supply chains—and knew this was the space I wanted to master.”

His early success came through innovation. “I helped pioneer the idea of inventory management as a service, closing 24 projects in 18 months.”

Frustrated by clunky ERPs and overpromised tools, Kevin founded B2Wise with his brother Trevor to deliver something better—visibility, flexibility, and simplicity.

“After a 30-year career, I believe we’ve found something truly unique—a way to redefine how companies plan their inventory and run manufacturing,” he explains.

With DDMRP at its core, B2Wise helps companies plan based on actual demand—not unreliable forecasts—by placing buffers strategically within the supply chain. It’s simple, visual, and intuitive. And it works.

The UK Chapter—Where It All Gained Traction

Kevin’s move from South Africa to the UK laid the groundwork for B2Wise’s journey. “The success of our Inventory Management Service in South Africa caught HSBC’s attention, so I moved to the UK to expand the idea—but when the dot-com bubble burst, they backed out. I stayed anyway.”

His determination paid off. “I networked hard, built partnerships (yes, by playing golf), and soon closed major deals that launched our business in the UK.” 

“I ran the UK business for 15 years, during which Barloworld Logistics acquired it. These years were packed with fun — developing software, working with major global companies, lecturing at Warwick University and Hong Kong Polytech, and even squeezing in ten Comrades Marathons along the way.”

When that company was sold to LLamasoft in 2016, Kevin made a choice: “They weren’t interested in inventory management, and I had to decide: settle for comfort or chase my passion? I chose the latter, resigned, and co-founded B2Wise with my brother. I sold, Trevor built, and we started fresh. The past seven years have been a rollercoaster, selling, developing, and setting up operations all over the world, with the UK as the strategic hub.”

Built with Grit and Heart

B2Wise is infused with the South African spirit of finding a way, no matter the odds. “We’re raised with a ‘Boer maak ‘n plan’ attitude—no challenge ever felt too big,” Kevin smiles.

Kevin’s background running the Comrades Marathon ten times taught him what it takes to endure. “It’s about taking the next step, then the next, and just keeping on—one decision, one conversation, one day at a time. That’s how I built my career: by always doing the right thing, moving forward, and trusting that if you stay on the path and never give up, you’ll get there—and you’ll win.” That

mindset is hardcoded into B2Wise’s culture.

A Call to the Lekker Network

With a presence now expanding rapidly across the USA, Kevin’s message to fellow South Africans abroad is clear: “If you’re a fellow Saffa who’s made it abroad, I’d love your support—through connections, collaboration, or just helping us open doors. Let’s show the world what South Africans can build.”

B2Wise is not trying to be the biggest. It’s trying to be the best. Smart, scalable, honest, and built on the kind of know-how that only comes from getting your hands dirty. And with South African gees at its core, B2Wise is showing the world how supply chains should really run.

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