Microfiltrex is the first of four divisions in its organisation to introduce a new manufacturing and accounting IT solution; as the most complex of the four businesses, it is paving the way for company to integrate its business systems.
Based in Fareham in Hampshire, Microfiltrex is a division of Porvair Filtration Group Limited (PFG), part of the 45-million-turnover Porvair plc group of companies. Microfiltrex manufactures filters for a range of industries including aerospace, energy, chemical, and food and drink.
Each division of PFG has its own separate manufacturing IT system and the company wanted to introduce a fully-integrated solution at Microfiltrex, which could then be rolled out to support all four divisions in the company. Because of the complexity and diversity of its products (and its diverse range of customers), Microfiltrex needed a business system with extensive manufacturing capability - from product-based, make-to-stock, to fully bespoke.
After a thorough evaluation of the market, Microfiltrex shortlisted two systems, eventually opting for SYSPRO from K3. The implementation begins in February and the 30-user system is expected to go live by the end of the summer. The company is anticipating increased efficiency and performance in its customer service, engineering and manufacturing operations.
John King, group IT manager, says the new system is also prompting the company to review its procedures and processes. Our IT people are experienced in migrating systems and they also have a good understanding of the business - this implementation gives us the opportunity to take a closer look at how and why we do the things we do; K3 has very good consultancy skills, which will be a great help to us in that process.
Microfiltrex has up to 4,000 different order lines a month with significant variation in value and volume and John King believes the visibility the system delivers, will prove to be its most valuable asset. Because of the highly complex nature of the business, its often difficult to predict whats going to happen next and we need to have visibility to be able to exert control; SYSPRO will give us that through superior, more sophisticated and flexible reporting.
As a supplier to the aerospace sector, the robust system of traceability, delivered by SYSPRO is particularly important, as are the improved, cost management and work flow within the companys sub-contract operation, which the company expects will enhance its relationships with suppliers and customers.
John King, It was important to us that the system was UK-centric (especially in accounting terms) and that we could rely on the stability and pedigree of the supplier; SYSPRO and K3 give us functionality and fit we need, and fully meet our requirements for multi-company consolidation."
Roll out at the second site begins at the end of the year.
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