Whitchem makes the transition to K8 Manufacturing
Customer: WhitChem
Site link: whitchem.co.uk
WhitChem is a successful, specialist distributor of chemicals, minerals and polymers representing a number of leading European manufacturers. WhitChem's extensive range includes products for the adhesives, construction, coatings, filtration, plastics, rubber, textiles and textile coatings industries. The company, which employs around 30 staff, including qualified technical specialists, serves around 1,000 customers throughout the UK from its central warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent.
Prior to implementing K8 Manufacturing, WhitChem were using a bespoke, largely in-house developed system, which although functionally well-suited to the business, was based on old, green screen technology. There were issues regarding future support and development, which, if not addressed, might have exposed the business to risks. A new, flexible, fully integrated system was required, which first and foremost, had to be a very good fit with WhitChem's proven and familiar business processes.
WhitChem's management team recognised that they needed a partner which had a proven track record of working in the chemicals sector. Charles Hawley, WhitChem finance director said, "Flexibility and a willingness to go the 'extra mile' to meet specific business requirements were high on our list of must-haves. In addition to stock control, purchasing and trading facilities, our new system also needed to accommodate the requirements for handling and transporting chemicals."
After evaluating a number of systems and suppliers, WhitChem chose K8 Manufacturing and placed the order for a 25 user system. After a period of parallel running which was considered to be an appropriate introduction for the new system, K8 Manufacturing went live in January 2013.
K8 Manufacturing has certainly given WhitChem greater visibility of trading activities and Charles talked about being able to access information more efficiently. "With our previous system, users had become so used to its functionality that there was a sense of carrying out tasks without giving a moment's thought. Now, particularly at management level, we are developing a much more questioning style, not so much knowing the how to do something but why. And that's a big plus."
Secure and stable platform for the future
Tight business controls
More visibility of trading activities
Faster, more accessible information
Queries resolved more efficiently
Facilitates a 'questioning' management style
Increasing business knowledge and understanding
Easier to maximise sales opportunities
A set of tools to help grow the business
Task-driven CRM facilities
With its modern, windows-style graphical interface we are certainly able to resolve queries quicker, which is good for us, as well as improving the service we give to our customers.
- Charles Hawley, Finance Director