Epicor® Vantage® / Vista™ - L.L. Brown, Inc. Case Study
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At a Glance: L.L. Brown, Inc. Industry: Manufacturing, Machining and Thermo Tooling Headquarters: Enola, Pennsylvania Solution: Epicor Vista Employees: 25 Employees
Business Challenge As the company grew, its proprietary software system was no longer adequate - it was time to move to an integrated software system
Solution An easy to learn, user-friendly integrated manufacturing enterprise resource planning solution
Business Benefits
Immediately determine the job’s profitability at its conclusion
Complete control over the manufacturing process
Return on Investment
Accurate, up-to-date feedback on job performance
Integration between accounting and shop floor eliminated double entry
"We embrace state-of-the-art technology like Epicor Vista throughout our company, which distinguishes us from many shops our size," says Tara Brown, vice president of operations with L.L. Brown, Inc. Located in Enola, Penn., L.L. Brown is a manufacturing corporation employing approximately 30 people.
"For example, we support all popular CAD/CAM software, making it easier for customers to work with us," notes Brown, whose grandfather, Lawrence L. Brown, started the business in 1969. "My father, Lawrence W. Brown, joined the company as president in 1984 and brought more than 20 years of experience working for IBM in management and computer programming," explains Brown.
Less than a year later, Lawrence W. Brown had computerized the entire plant, including writing custom software for time accounting, job tracking and statistical process control (SPC). He also developed a proprietary SPC system, marketed under the name IN-SPEC that provides an additional means for machinists to inspect critical part dimensions on the shop floor. By 1985, the plant employed seven people and occupied 4,250 square feet.
Over the next ten years, the company grew to employ 20 people and the plant size increased to more than 14,000 square feet. "By 1996, our old software couldn’t control day-to-day activities adequately," explains Brown. "Also, it was too difficult and time-consuming to maintain three or four different software packages." Given the company's strong history of using technology, selecting an integrated software system was a logical next step.
"We decided to purchase Vista after reviewing many different business management software programs," adds Brown. "We needed something that was easy to learn and user-friendly, because not many employees were computer-literate at the time. Vista fit the bill, and we started running it in November 1996." Since Lawrence W. Brown arrived in 1984, L.L. Brown had specialized in government contracting and machining replacement parts. "Our customer base has grown to span a large number of different industries, including canning, printing, automotive, and energy," says Brown. "Along with machining, we provide complete range of services, such as research and development, CAD/CAM and inventory control."
Parts are produced to precise customer specifications, and Brown says L.L. Brown often serves as an extension of its customers’ in-house capabilities. "Our machining customers are primarily local and most business comes from word of mouth," explains Brown. "Even when a customer changes jobs, they often recommend us to their new company."
In 1990, L.L. Brown expanded its services to include thermoform tooling. Five years later, the company created two divisions - machining and thermoform tooling. "Separating the businesses helped us improve our customer service and keep better track of each operation," notes Brown.
Brown says customer demands are increasing, particularly in thermoform tooling. "Customers today want twice as much in half the time," comments Brown. To keep up with growing demand, the thermoform tooling division has added seven new employees and four machines since 1995.
The tooling L.L. Brown produces is used to make a variety of thermoform plastic packaging for items such as cosmetics, kitchen and bath accessories, power tools, computer hardware and medical devices. Unlike replacement parts, L.L. Brown's thermoform customer base is nationwide. "Our marketing efforts consist of attending one national trade show each year, where we’ve always received a good response," says Brown.
"We’ve been able to expand our services because our manufacturing process is now totally under control, thanks to Vista functions like job entry, scheduling and inventory control," says Brown. "Production inquiry reports give us accurate, up-to-date feedback on our job performance." In 1998, L.L. Brown expanded into new office and manufacturing space, increasing the total size to almost 24,000 square feet across three buildings.
"Before Vista, our job history information was often incomplete or vague," explains Brown. "With Vista, historical data is readily available and easy to understand. We can easily check the status of a job in progress and immediately determine the job's profitability at its conclusion." "In the past, our accounting function was separate from job tracking, which required a lot of double entries. It was also easy for things to be overlooked," says Brown. "With the integrated Vista system, accounting is much cleaner. Invoicing is a snap - the data is imported by simply entering a shipping number."
"Ninety percent of our employees are using Vista, including 100 percent of plant personnel," concludes Brown. "We have a greater knowledge of plant activities - far beyond what our previous software could accomplish. Vista has met our expectations and greatly simplified many daily activities."
Epicor® Vantage® / Vista™ - L.L. Brown, Inc. Case Study
