Access Supply Chain fits out Crosby Kitchens for 20% growth

Emley, UK - 25th September 2006 - A new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution has helped Crosby Kitchens to achieve 20% growth in a fiercely competitive marketplace where businesses are vying for single-digit expansion. 

Sheffield-based Crosby Kitchens Limited has a history that goes back 70 years.  The business in its current guise was set up in 1996 and the 65-employee company now has two divisions:  Athena, the manufacturing business; and Crosby which acts as the sales and marketing operation. Last year the company decided to overhaul its IT systems to provide a solid base for future growth.

Crosby implemented Access Supply Chain gaining instant visibility and control of the business, and eliminating the errors inherent in the manual processes associated with its previous system.

A rapid and straightforward implementation plan eased the transition from the old system to the new and the Access solution went live inside six months, with staff quickly buying-in to the new software as they recognised the benefits of a more controlled way of working. The company has achieved 20% growth since then, with no increase in staffing levels.

Mike Atkin, Crosby's managing director, says the company has taken the increase in its stride and there is no longer any fire-fighting to get work processed:

"People used to work late into the night and early in the mornings just to create the documentation for deliveries.  Now sales order processing is much faster and more accurate - and we have information on how we can pick orders and consolidate them into one picking sheet.  A 20% increase in business means 20% more orders to be picked, 20% more products to be delivered - and without a doubt, the new system has helped us to achieve this."

Crosby's routes to market are not straightforward - some of its products go to high street kitchen retailers via two main distributors in England, to which it sells in bulk; others go to house builders in Scotland through a distribution arrangement with builders' merchants.

The company can now work to a three or four week lead time, with the purchasing department able to see clearly what components are required, and Crosby is currently using the system to compile a bill of materials for all 1,500 of its products which will deliver more efficiencies.

Atkin:

"It's not a static business; kitchens are very much a fashion item and that means we have to launch five or six new ranges a year - the Access system will allow us to do that without having to establish a new bill of materials every time.  That will help us cut down on inventory and improve lead times still further."