Bedford, MA December 11, 2002 SupplyWorks Inc., a supplier relationship management (SRM) software provider, said it completed the installation of SupplyWorks MAX, its Web-based SRM software, at Plasti-Line Inc., which engineers, manufacturers and installs a wide range of exterior and interior signage.
Plasti-Line said it should realize immediate and significant cost reductions through the use of what it calls a "light's out" environment for the company's direct procurement processes. The project is on track to achieve the full 5 percent savings in annual direct material spend that was planned when the project was given the go-ahead.
SupplyWorks MAX is a SRM solution with supply chain execution capabilities, supplier collaboration facilities, and tools for strategic sourcing and supply management.
Plasti-Line explained that its focus is on improving the management of its supply base, and SupplyWorks MAX is automating over 25 percent of the purchasing group's line volume. Using SupplyWorks MAX, Plasti-Line's production buyers and planners will coordinate purchases and inventory across multiple locations to maximize the efficiency of direct materials usage and further improve cycle times and internal scheduling accuracy.
By moving to a "lights-out/manage by exception" purchasing model, Plasti-Line's resources are freed up to focus on other activities aimed at improving their relationships with suppliers and reducing costs.
"By channeling all of our direct material spend through SupplyWorks, we are improving the purchasing process and enabling easier management of our corporate spend. Now time is spent managing the supply instead of expediting replenishment," said Nathan Bretscher, Plasti-Line's director of process improvement. He added that the efficiency is enabling the company to spend more time increasing the percentage of spend under contract, consolidating item and supplier master, and negotiating win-win relationships.
Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Plasti-Line is the country's largest manufacturer of signage and retail identity solutions for companies such as McDonald's, Ford, General Motors and YUM! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, etc.).
