As part of an ongoing transformation journey, contract and private label manufacturer for cleaning products, McBride Plc, has made a significant investment in a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
Partnering with digital transformation specialists, SAP and systems integrators NTT DATA Business Solutions, the introduction of the new ERP system is the Company’s largest critical project in terms of cost investment and scale. It will enable McBride to react quicker to its retail and contract manufacturing customer demands, produce at higher volumes and improve internal efficiencies.
Retailers require new product development at pace to remain competitive and the five-year project will allow McBride to adapt quickly to customers’ needs. Designed to add consistency to thinking and processes, the SAP S/4HANA system will be harmonised across the entire McBride estate, seeing all departments working with one data source.
The introduction of standard and cohesive business processes will enable McBride’s 12 European manufacturing sites to all work in the same way. This agile approach will realise greater efficiencies, whether that’s a future adaption to the internal system, or changes to adapt to market pressures.
Other benefits for customers include improved order processing, supply chain visibility, quality control and compliance and reliable product availability. Easy integration, including the sharing of essential and beneficial data to customers, will also enable more accurate production planning.
Commenting on the new ERP system, Group IT Director at McBride, Paul Boardman said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform McBride’s system landscape and improve its capability for staff and customers.
“We currently have seven streams of transformation of which ERP is one. The ERP system is critical to our transformation journey at McBride, as it underpins all our programmes and goals. Every transaction, every department, and every factory at McBride goes through ERP, so it really drives the heart of the organisation.
“It is essential to have a system that will grow with McBride and support our ambitions as a company. A huge amount of time has been invested upfront to get the principles correct before deployment. As well as improving our service to our customers and staff productivity now, it is vital that the ERP system is scalable and will futureproof McBride.
“There is excitement and appetite for the new system across McBride; employees will benefit from working with the latest technology and be able to deliver a better service to their customers. This is one of the many reasons why McBride is committed to this significant investment in technology and people.”
This significant investment from McBride is not only a sign of its future ambitions but will play a vital role in optimising manufacturing operations, enhancing efficiency and driving overall business success. This will provide McBride and its customers with the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complexities of modern manufacturing and maintain a competitive edge in the retail market.
