Lightlife and Epicor Informance Optimize Operational Performance

Lightlife Foods started in 1979 when Michael Cohen sensed an opportunity to introduce the Indonesian staple, tempeh, to the American dinner plate. In 1985, Lightlife launched Tofu Pups, a healthier, veggie alternative to the hot dog and the seeds of a veggie revolution were planted. Lightlife utilizes Epicor's Informance enterprise manufacturing intelligence (EMI) system in its Turners Falls, Massachusetts manufacturing facility for collecting real-time production data automatically from seven different operating lines and eliminating inaccurate and time-consuming manual data collection. Operators on the shop floor use touchscreen technology to gauge production performance, such as downtime, cycle time and product defect rates, allowing operators to respond immediately to problems or improve performance on the spot.

Because it is a food manufacturer, Lightlife is governed by strict FDA standards. Informance provides the manufacturing intelligence Lightlife needs to effectively control product quality and safety. Informance also records product defect rates to help Lightlife understand the rate at which defects occur and put a time stamp on the event to help investigate root cause analysis.

Within the first three years of using Informance, Lightlife grew its overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) for batch processes by 50% and improved overall plant efficiency 40% by using the tools and real-time plant analytics inside Informance. The company has been able realize continuous improvements in operational performance and product throughput through real-time product information.

To read more about the Lightlife Foods Informance implementation, visit the Epicor News blog.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

  

Efraín Nuñez Selects Blue Ridge to Improve Profitability

Blue Ridge, a Cloud-based supply chain planning solutions provider to retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, recently announced that Efraín Nunez Inc. will implement Blue Ridge's demand forecasting, planning and replenishment solutions.

Efraín Nuñez is an importer, warehouser, and broad line distributor of bakery products for the manufacturing and retail sectors in Puerto Rico. The company also offers onsite technical service in the areas of baking, decorating, pastry, and other related areas. The company expects the implementation to enhance customer service levels while increasing profitability.

Efraín Nuñez saw strategic value in the ability to maintain and enhance world-class customer service levels. The distributor was also motivated to use enhanced demand planning capabilities in order to increase the efficiency and profitability of its supply chain planning operations. Blue Ridge solutions are configured to automatically fulfill demand in the most profitable way possible, taking into consideration current inventory, logistics costs, freight, and other factors thus allowing the business and sales team to focus on strategic objectives and fully take advantage promotions, trends and other business opportunities. By optimizing product availability, inventory, and logistics costs, companies such as Efraín Nunez can increase cash flow by 50% or more and improve sales by double-digits, while stabilizing or even reducing inventory up to 30%. In addition, Blue Ridge's solutions can be implemented in as little as 90 days and scaled to the most complex supply chains.

To learn more about the Blue Ridge implementation at Efraín Nunez, visit the Blue Ridge News blog.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

  

Infor M3 Supports Filippa K Expansion

Infor, a provider of business application software serving more than 73,000 customers globally, recently announced that Filippa K, a Swedish fashion label, has selected and deployed Infor M3 to support rapid business growth due to the company's shifting business model. The Infor M3 application will help Filippa K to boost productivity, drive efficiencies, and support expansion as it opens new stores and launches an international online presence.

As a dynamic fashion company, Filippa K's production and distribution processes are complex, and it had outgrown its previous system. In order to support international growth and move into a wholesale/retail business model, the fashion business required a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

After evaluating a number of applications against criteria including flexibility; scale; functionality; local presence; value for money and total cost of ownership, Infor M3 was selected. The application will serve as the backbone of the company, integrating fully with Filippa K's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), third party logistics (TPL), point of sale (POS), e-commerce, Business Intelligence (BI), and HR & Payroll systems. The efficiencies will free up staff resources to focus on identifying market opportunities and growing the business.

To learn more about the Filippa K implementation, or receive details about Infor M3 for Fashion, visit the Infor Newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: 

http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx

 

  

Shaw Industries Selects NetSuite for China Expansion

Shaw Industries, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, turned to NetSuite for its launch of a new 210,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Nantong, China designed to produce carpet tile for Asian markets.

By selecting NetSuite OneWorld, Shaw saved significant time and capital expense and gained visibility and control over the China plant and 10 international subsidiaries in countries including China, India, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. In addition, the company needed a solution that also supported the Mandarin language, spoken by employees across the manufacturing plant, and multi-currency conversion that would enable Shaw to seamlessly transact in the Chinese renminbi and Australian dollar.

Using a two-tier ERP model, Shaw was able to link OneWorld for international operations to the company's custom-developed systems at its headquarters in Dalton, Georgia. This allowed for integration of subsidiary financials with global financial consolidation, while gaining on-demand transparency into international operations.

In addition, Shaw was able to streamline production by taking advantage of NetSuite's manufacturing capabilities including work orders; work in process, lot control and standard costing. By utilizing NetSuite's Advanced Inventory, multi-location warehousing and distribution of commercial carpet tile to customers in China and across Asia received full support in positioning the Nantong plant to meet its global initiatives.

To learn more about the Shaw Industries implementation, or receive details about NetSuite's OneWorld, visit the NetSuite Manufacturing Newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2014-15 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

2014 Distribution Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Distribution_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

2014 Manufacturing Software Guide: 

http://track.websiteceo.com/r/160948/www.software4distributors.com/downloads/2014_Manufacturing_Software_Guide_From_Blog.pdf

 

Additional materials: http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_index.aspx