Europlan Industries manufactures a comprehensive range of office storage, workstations and screening systems for both domestic and export markets. Founded in 1963, the Auckland-based company exports its products, many of which are built-to-order, throughout the world including Australia, the United States, the Pacific Islands and Asia.
The challenge
Office furniture manufacturer Europlan was falling behind with customer shipments and its purchasing was struggling to meet production deadlines. That was before the company implemented Epicor ERP, an integrated system designed specifically for build-to-order engineering and manufacturing companies.
Like many New Zealand manufacturers, Europlan ran a number of standalone systems resulting in data being kept in a number of repositories. This resulted in a lack of visibility across the company and the separate departments were unable to work effectively together. Europlan management realised that changes had to be made if efficiencies were to be achieved. Management decided in order to move the company forward they required an ERP system that could integrate data across the organisation’s operations and provide increased visibility across departments.
The solution
Europlan implemented Epicor ERP. The system suited Europlan’s make-to-order and mixed-mode manufacturing operation. Built-in workflow processes have enabled Europlan to manage the entire order cycle: from marketing and sales through production and planning, sourcing and procurement, installation and service, and financials.
The benefits
More and more businesses are purchasing Europlan’s filing cabinets, workstations, lockers, and commercial storage cabinet systems. Europlan are now underpinning their growth strategy on Epicor ERP and say that one of the major benefits of Epicor is that you don’t need to take on more staff as you grow. The company is growing rapidly throughout New Zealand and Australia including a number of acquisitions.
Some of the results they have achieved since implementing Epicor ERP include:
Previous 40-50% inventory accuracy now in the mid 80s and targeting over 90%.
On-time ship performance was 45% rose to 82% post-implementation. Made possible because of improved controls in scheduling production and transparency of information across the company.
On-time receipt performance at 42% improved to 92%. Epicor provided the ability to track where suppliers weare not performing and where Europlan’s delivery expectations were incorrect
Reports that previously could take days to produce now take seconds.
Previously airfreight in was six to seven product consignments per month, now there’s one delivery per month by sea since they know what is required in advance. Epicor’s MRP module is accurately estimating purchase requirements ahead of time.
Europlan has provided a subcontractor with screen access to Epicor saving a day in processing and turnaround time.
One of Europlan’s subsidiaries increased efficiency by 50% and reduced staff by 10% through the use of the Shop Floor Data Capture module.
Another subsidiary reduced their stockholding by $100,000 within 18 months of going live.
Whilst people always play a big part in improvements like these, Europlan state that without Epicor ERP these improvements were not possible.
