Syspro Hammers Down Warehouse Costs for Select Hardware

Customer Profile

Select Hardware is a leading manufacturer and wholesaler of consumer goods into UK, Ireland and European retailers. The company supplies a wide variety of general hardware product categories including wheels and castors, surface protection, ventilation and coat hooks. With more than 40 years’ experience, Select Hardware provides customers with a choice of more than 3,000 products.

Prior to implementing Syspro, Select Hardware’s manual processes required reports to be run from the accounting system to obtain an average number for each stock item sold and then identify each stock item that needed replenishing. The outdated stock system meant pallets were booked onto locations using a spreadsheet, leading to inaccuracies. 

Syspro revolutionized this by bringing in accurate reporting and the ability to drill down to the information needed for sales and stock turns. Together with the ability to tighten up warehousing and track bin locations and stock with barcode scanners, this resulted in a major boost in efficiency. 

Select Hardware’s annual stocktake necessitated bringing the entire business to a standstill while the arduous manual process was completed. With Syspro, a weekly stocktake is performed, enabling every discrepancy to be picked up and rectified promptly. 

Between 60% and 70% of Select Hardware’s orders come via the handheld devices used by its sales force. The employee scans the items on the shelf and enters the required number. The orders are transferred electronically directly to the sales office and into Syspro. 

EDI is used for some larger customers such as Homebase, Morrisons and Screwfix. These EDI orders are fed directly into the system, enabling Select Hardware to slash order entry time. 

Looking ahead, Select Hardware plans to introduce barcode picking to close the automatic identification loop. As an importer of manufactured goods, there is also a requirement to monitor landed costs. With Syspro, Select Hardware will be able to implement automated procedures for both of these functions. The company is also looking at implementing batch traceability with Syspro. 

More from the Customer

“Syspro was a leap forward for us; how we managed without it is a puzzle. Syspro brought in accurate reporting and enabled us to drill down to the information we needed for sales and stock turns. Thanks to Syspro, we have enjoyed a major boost in efficiency.” 

— Steve Killworth, Operations Manager, Select Hardware 

The Outcome

The majority of Select Hardware’s warehousing and distribution, as well as its sales functions, are now automated. Syspro’s integrated MRP and Forecasting modules have enabled Select Hardware to reduce its stock overhead by 25% through improved visibility of products. Weekly stocktakes ensure every discrepancy is picked up and rectified, eliminating the risk of stock write-offs.

“Syspro automated our standard procedures, and has the added advantage of full visibility of information. Syspro has also allowed us to automate the vast majority of our orders via wireless mobile computers equipped with scanners or EDI.” 

— Steve Killworth, Operations Manager, Select Hardware