When you outgrow your existing solution, implementing Sage 200 offers the flexibility a rubber manufacturer needs.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, EBS were able to help Four D plan for growth with a new ERP solution and infrastructure that reduced risk and increased traceability.
‘EBS were flexible to allow us to meet all our deadlines. When there were challenges getting lines into the new building because of pandemic delays with Open Reach, EBS put in a 4G temporary solution to allow the training and installation to take place. The project was very well run by the whole EBS team’.
David Bodin, Finance Director
KEY OUTCOMES
- Project implemented within timeframe, despite COVID restrictions
- Reduced risk by moving to a digital stock traceability system
Four D is a leading manufacturer of natural and synthetic precision latex rubber sheeting and products for numerous industries. Its products have a wide variety of uses stretching from fashion brands like Yves Saint Laurent, in medical grade products like dental dams and physio bands and industrial processes such as conveyor belts. Headquartered in Heanor, Derbyshire, and with a processing site in Sri Lanka, Four D provides rubber to a global market.
Four D had been successfully running Sage 50 for many years. As a system, it provided most of what the company needed but, over time, they found that they needed additional functionality to run the business operation successfully.
As is often the case, Four D developed their own internal processes and tools to support the day to day running. When you are producing and shipping products across the globe, information and traceability of stock items is crucial. And when you have an international reputation to protect, maintaining and assessing quality control is vital. In the end, Four D concluded that they were developing these internal solutions to get around limitations of Sage 50 instead of working with an ERP solution that was more suitable to their size and manufacturing needs.
Enter EBS
EBS was recommended to Four D by their auditors.
David Bodin, Finance Director at Four D, says the EBS team understood the situation immediately:
‘EBS spotted the challenges around Sage 50 and could see how its limitations might hinder our company’s growth plans. We were happy with Sage so they recommended Sage 200 with Manufacturing to ensure we had the tools and systems in place for our future.’
The solution
Paper-based stock systems were replaced by Sage 200 with Manufacturing to provide an all-round ERP solution for Four D’s growing business. Four D was in the process of moving offices and so, early in the project, we were able to make recommendations for a new infrastructure setup that would complement their plans.
There was a major obstacle in the way: COVID-19.
The pandemic added uncertainty. Four D were keen to go ahead but needed to know what the landscape looked like. There was also a tight deadline, with a desire to run both Sage 200 and the new infrastructure projects in parallel and completed before Four D’s financial year end and the opening of a new office.
Taking a staggered approach worked well for Four D. There are plans to extend the use of Sage 200 in the next couple of years including greater automation of the warehouse. This is all possible by making the
transition to a more scalable ERP solution.
The introduction of traceability has improved stock accuracy and the process of despatch as well as reduced the risk that is inevitable with a paper-based system.
‘From sales through to the go live, EBS had a great grasp of our business. We received incredible
support throughout a difficult time, which helped us meet our objectives and minimised business disruption.’
