Endeavour’s expertise in transforming operations for building products and services businesses
We’ve worked with organisations across the manufacturing and distribution building products industry, and we understand that running a business in across this sector is not without its challenges. You're dealing with tight deadlines, ever-changing material costs, and a market that's more competitive than ever before.
Amidst these challenges, more companies are recognising the necessity of upgrading their technology to maintain a competitive edge. This is where cloud-based ERP solutions step in. They act as a versatile toolset for businesses, streamlining operations ranging from inventory and production schedules to financial management and customer relationships.
In the manufacturing and distribution building products sector, the need for efficient ERP solutions has never been greater. With rising material costs, complex supply chains, and increasing customer demands, businesses can't afford to rely on outdated systems or manual processes anymore. They need a solution that can keep up with the pace of modern manufacturing – and that's where we come in.
With over 30 years of experience under our belts, we're experts when it comes to implementing ERP solutions that are tailor-made for businesses like yours. Over those years we have worked with many leading manufacturers and distributers of building materials and products. Our ERP solutions - MYOB Advanced Manufacturing and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – are the ERP solutions that have been the driving force of technology innovation for these businesses.
We have built up expertise by helping numerous building products businesses ‘join the dots’. We’ll work with you every step of the way, making sure you’re set up for success and ready to tackle whatever challenges come your way. But don’t take our word for it, take a look at some of the businesses below that we have helped over the years.
Common challenges and pain points when you are manufacturing and distributing building products in New Zealand.
With literally hundreds of successful ERP implementations under our belt, we've learned a thing or two about the challenges faced by businesses in this complex sector, and how an ERP solution can help overcome them.
Inventory and stock management
Managing large inventories of raw materials, components, and finished products is a common challenge for businesses in this industry. ERP systems offer solutions by providing real-time visibility into stock levels, tracking inventory movements, and automating replenishment processes. This enhances efficiency, reduces carrying costs, minimises stockouts, and optimises warehouse space utilisation., especially if you have multiple branches and factories.
Supply chain management
Coordinating with suppliers, managing multiple vendors, and ensuring timely delivery of materials are important aspects of manufacturing operations. ERP systems streamline supply chain processes by automating procurement, managing supplier relationships, and tracking deliveries. This improves transparency, reduces lead times, and mitigates the risk of disruptions.
Project management
Manufacturing projects often involve intricate workflows, schedules, and budgets. ERP systems equipped with project management modules facilitate effective planning, execution, and monitoring of projects. They enable resource allocation, progress tracking, budget management, and stakeholder collaboration, leading to improved project outcomes and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Cost control
Maintaining profitability amidst competition is essential for your business. ERP systems offer comprehensive cost tracking capabilities, allowing companies to monitor expenses across departments and activities. Real-time cost analysis enables identification of inefficiencies, implementation of cost-saving measures, and enhancement of overall financial performance.
Regulatory compliance
Adhering to regulatory standards and industry requirements, such as building codes and safety regulations, is essential for manufacturing businesses. ERP systems integrate regulatory compliance into business processes, automate compliance reporting, and provide audit trails. This ensures adherence to standards, reduces the risk of penalties, and mitigates legal issues.
Quality management
Upholding product quality is critical for meeting customer expectations and maintaining reputation. ERP systems with quality management modules enable businesses to establish and enforce quality standards throughout the production process. They facilitate inspections, track quality metrics, and manage non-conformances, enabling timely resolution of quality issues.
Data integration and analytics
Managing disparate systems and data sources across departments leads to inefficiencies and data silos. ERP systems integrate data into a centralised platform, providing a single source of truth for decision-making. Advanced analytics capabilities offer insights into performance metrics, trends, and improvement opportunities, supporting data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.
Sales teams
Many of our customers have found that one of the main drivers of the ERP project is helping the sales teams., by providing them with easy access to information when out and about. If the technology your business runs on is not integrated and fit for purpose, it’s very hard for the sales team to do their job. They won’t have accurate information at their fingertips when talking to customers, taking orders and checking the status of the orders. If there is an issue with stock and distribution, they won’t know and won’t be able to front foot the issue also.
Finance teams
Also affected by older systems that are not fit for purpose are the finance teams. Many of our customers found that their old systems were not able to provide accurate financial data and lacked reporting capability. This meant the finance teams were forced to spend time providing reports and using manual workarounds which takes up valuable time.
Let's get into the detail here with a closer look at four businesses in the manufacturing building sector that have faced these challenges and overcome them by partnering with Endeavour.
Efficiency boost: PIL's streamlined operations with Endeavour and MYOB Advanced
PIL Group, a manufacturing and distribution company specialising in insulation
solutions, faced significant challenges with their outdated ERP system. James Hutt, Head of Finance, highlighted the inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and lack of reporting capabilities plaguing their day-to-day operations. With Endeavour's guidance, PIL Group transitioned to MYOB Advanced, a tailored ERP solution designed for scalability and efficiency.
Our team's expertise in implementing MYOB Advanced proved pivotal for PIL Group's transformation. The system's integrated manufacturing modules aligned perfectly with PIL's operational needs, offering robust financial management, customer relationship management, and enterprise-grade security. Partnering with Endeavour ensured a smooth transition, with James acknowledging their adeptness in understanding PIL's business requirements.
The migration to MYOB Advanced took around six months, during which PIL witnessed a significant shift in their operations. Real-time reporting capabilities empowered upper management with precise insights, reducing the need for manual reporting and enabling proactive decision-making. The system's daily reporting functions streamlined customer communication, ensuring prompt issue resolution and enhancing customer satisfaction.
"They knew their craft and they quickly worked out our business as well, which was crucial," James said. "It was a great experience. They made it very easy."
James' familiarity with ERP systems facilitated a smooth transition for PIL's team, highlighting MYOB Advanced's user-friendly interface and tailored functionalities. With an affordable and sophisticated ERP solution in place, PIL Group can now focus on their future growth initiatives, confident in Endeavour and MYOB's ongoing support and expertise.
Direct Scaffolding Supplies soars with Microsoft Business Central's dynamic support framework
Direct Scaffolding Supplies (DSS) is a key player in the scaffolding supplies and
consumables market, ensuring high stock levels across three branches to meet market demands. However, as their business expanded, their existing tech couldn't keep up. The challenges were twofold: limitations in scalability and cumbersome workarounds.
Endeavour and Microsoft Business Central emerged as the solution. With a scalable framework capable of integrating with current systems, Business Central played a pivotal role. They needed to get information to their sales team more efficiently, especially when they're out and about. Microsoft Business Central can be easily accessed on mobile devices, and they can get the information they need instantly.
The advantages were immediate. With greater visibility over inventory and operational efficiency, DSS experienced significant improvements. From a stock management point of view, they have not only experienced efficiency gains, but they have much greater visibility over their inventory. Additionally, the system's user-friendliness streamlined transactions, providing the sales team with essential information at their fingertips.
The partnership with Endeavour proved invaluable. "Based on their knowledge and experience, and all the research they've done, they've been able to recommend certain packages," said Cliff Davis, DSS's Head of Engineering. "Plus they've provided training, and they worked really hard to ensure we achieved what we needed with the software. They've been great to work with."
Atlas Concrete's journey from legacy systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Founded over 70 years ago, Atlas Concrete is one of Auckland’s enduring pillars in
the concrete manufacturing industry. With a workforce of over 280 employees and a fleet of over 120 concrete delivery trucks, the company has long been a cornerstone in the construction sector.
In late 2019, Atlas Concrete found itself grappling with the limitations of an outdated and unsupported Microsoft legacy system. They were trying to maintain a very old infrastructure which was difficult to support. They didn’t have the flexibility to integrate with other software applications that they needed to effectively run their business. Recognising the urgent need for change, the Atlas Group sought to transition away from rigid on-premises systems, eyeing the cloud as a solution.
After deciding on Microsoft Business Central for its adaptability and integration capabilities, the company turned to Endeavour for implementation. The collaborative effort between the Atlas Group and Endeavour facilitated a swift transition. By January 2020, plans were in place, setting the stage for a smooth migration.
Despite unforeseen challenges such as Covid-19, our proactive approach and planning meant continued, steady progress. By March 2020, a sandbox environment was ready for Atlas Concrete to trial, providing hands-on experience prior to the lockdown.
With the implementation of Dynamics 365 Business Central, Atlas Concrete began to benefit from improved flexibility and efficiency. The cloud-based hub offers centralised data management, streamlining processes and providing real-time insights.
"We have gone from a very paper-based operation to a better managed electronic one," said CFO, Greg Stewart. "They key benefit there being the depth of data and the ease of use in getting it."
As Atlas Concrete continues to uncover the full potential of Dynamics 365 Business Central, the company looks ahead to further automation and optimisation. With the ability to work from anywhere and harness the power of cloud-based solutions, Atlas Concrete stands poised for continued growth and success in the ever-evolving construction landscape.
Scaling heights: Ross Roof Group's ERP transformation story
Ross Roof Group (RRG) has been a stalwart in the roofing industry since the 1940s,
earning a reputation for quality and innovation. As the company expanded its operations and product lines, managing growth efficiently became paramount. As the company grew, so did the paperwork and complexities associated with managing multiple entities across different regions. Their existing ERP, while reliable in its time, struggled to keep pace with the company's evolving needs. Multiple data entries led to inaccuracies, hindering inventory control and financial management. The system's limitations became apparent as RRG grappled with consolidating financial data, managing growing volumes of orders and invoices, and streamlining approval processes.
RRG partnered with Endeavour to adapt their ERP to their unique manufacturing demands. Leveraging the distribution module, our team enabled single data entry and provided visibility across all companies within the RRG group. This customisation streamlined workflows, reduced manual processes, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The expertise of our team extended beyond customisation to the integration of the ERP across RRG's manufacturing operations. Orders placed in the Manufacturing module were instantly visible throughout the factory, facilitating real-time processing and eliminating paperwork delays. Our customisations within the Distribution module ensured simultaneous database updates, saving time and mitigating the risk of errors.
The project brought about transformative outcomes for RRG. Live visibility across the organisation streamlined approval processes and replaced cumbersome paper trails with electronic approvals. The adoption of eDocs further enhanced efficiencies, reducing paperwork by 70% and saving significant time in month-end processes.
The ERP’s IQ empowered RRG's management with insightful reporting capabilities, enabling informed decision-making and optimising resource allocation. RRG achieved operational efficiencies without the need for additional staff.
"Endeavour understands our business very well and they always have new ideas," said Commercial Manager George Khoury. "We’ve saved about five days’ work a month on the month-end process and cut paperwork by around 70%."
With a clearer view of their operations and enhanced forecasting capabilities, RRG is poised for further growth and innovation. Plans to leverage the ERP’s CRM and Job Costing systems underscore RRG's commitment to continuous improvement and leveraging technology to work smarter, not harder.
Elevating manufacturing efficiency with Endeavour
Our expertise lies in understanding the complex needs of manufacturing businesses, and tailoring ERP systems to address the specific requirements of each of our clients. Our collaborative approach, coupled with our track record of delivering results, establishes Endeavour as a trusted partner for manufacturing businesses seeking to leverage technology for growth and innovation.
Keen to find out what a partnership with Endeavour can do for your manufacturing business? Let's talk.
