SYSPRO Fits the Mould for Plastics Firm

Injection moulding plastics company, DLS Plastics, has joined an increasing number of SME businesses to introduce an integrated CRM/ERP system to meet the challenges of a growing order book, new customers and expanding product range.

DLS, whose primary markets are in the leisure vehicle, holiday home, catering and marine sector, design and manufacture over 250 off-the-shelf and custom-made moulded plastic components, including ventilation covers, sink wastes, fixing products, and water connectors for caravans.  In recent years the company has broken into new markets by providing a complete service from design to delivery.  With each product available in a variety of different colours, the company found that tracking stock, in particular, was becoming increasingly difficult with its ageing Datafile management information and accounting software.

The selection of a SYSPRO ERP system from McGuffie Brunton will mean DLS is better placed to tailor manufacturing resources to specific customer demand. The company fully expects to see improvements in the management of stock and manufacturing processes, particularly in the ordering of stock, and the maintenance of inventory levels and sales forecasts. DLS believes that increased stock awareness will create greater flexibility within the manufacturing processes, as well as shortening turnaround of orders.

The Lincolnshire-based company will introduce the manufacturing and distribution modules as the first part of a two-phased implementation process, due to go live in March 2006.  In phase two, DLS is planning to introduce CRM for the first time within the company, to manage and further improve communications with customers.

George Brewis, Managing Director of DLS Plastics, commented: The SYSPRO implementation is aimed at enabling us to manage our existing business more efficiently, thereby allowing us the time and resources to pursue new market areas and products. We will use SYSPRO CRM for mailshot purposes, and to centrally record customer communications so that customer information is available throughout the company.  We plan to use CRM to help with the process of business development and ensure that all customers are aware of new products as they become available. 

He added It is all too easy to pay more attention to high maintenance customers with large order books.  In the search for sales growth we need to ensure that we leverage all our existing customer contacts through ordered communication and personal contact before expensive expeditionary sales drives into new areas.

CRM will also play a crucial role in DLS Plastics innovation process, as they are planning to use SYSPRO to record new orders, as well as direct the company towards the design and build of new injection moulded products, to further diversify products and help broaden its customer base.