Harwin makes the right connections with ERP software

Customer Story

To maximize the opportunity for success in a competitive global market requires positive, constant change to the operations and processes of a business. For Harwin, a world-leading supplier of inter-connector solutions to major electrical and electronic equipment manufacturers, managing change is essential to meet the demands of a rapidly globalizing, volatile industry. Implementing IBS Enterprise ERP software has given Harwin the flexibility to deliver this change and maintain its reputation for innovative design and quality manufacturing backed by service and delivery.

Continuous investment in its staff, technology and manufacturing lies at the heart of Harwin’s growth and success. Harwin designs and manufactures world-class electrical and electronic interconnect solutions, from standard and high-reliability connectors through to custom products. Harwin delivers total interconnect solutions for product designers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a range of more than 20,000 products and a distribution network that spans the globe.

Harwin’s turnover is growing at rate of 10 percent a year, standing at about 17 million euros in 2005. In addition to its U.K. headquarters, Harwin has sales and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Singapore and Taiwan with an international customer base. Today the company has a strong market in both standard and special connectors for the OEMs, and a range of more than 20,000 connectors. Recent years have seen the significant globalization of Harwin’s market, resulting in an important shift in emphasis from standard interconnect solutions to specialized products.

Meeting this demand requires increased investment and commitment to deliver solutions to technical challenges, but has the rewards of being able to supply higher value products with improved margin. Harwin’s open, complementary management team drives the constant change required within the organization to succeed in a hugely competitive market.

Unique skills

While the company sees its standard connectors as an important part of the business, Paul McGuinness, Director of Harwin, says that the company’s growth is due, in no small part, to its ability to innovate. “We develop connectors that no one else can build. This ability is founded on the fact that we have expertise in all the fields we need, so we can offer a total solution – from research and design to making the tooling and all the manufacturing steps to the final product, including the design and build of our own production equipment.”

Expert design skills and quality production processes are key to Harwin’s business. Utilizing skills is of paramount importance, and employees are encouraged to view the complete business process when acting and taking decisions within the constraints of their roles. To achieve this, Harwin has implemented IBS Enterprise integrated ERP software, which provides visibility throughout the organization and delivers the flexibility needed to respond accordingly.

Technology investment

Harwin has invested heavily in technology, both in manufacturing facilities and IT. Having originally purchased the IBS ERP system in 1997, the company is fully committed to exploiting the full potential of IBS Enterprise and has implemented most of the integrated IBS modules, including Financial software, Distribution software, Manufacturing software, Warehouse Management system, Inventory Control software and Analyzer.

Further specialist modules, such as IBS Planner View, deliver real value to the business by enabling Harwin to monitor the manufacturing process, ensuring quality and minimizing production waste and machine downtime. Paul McGuinness says, “The ERP software closes the loop for us. It is integrated factory-wide, allowing key staff to look at all aspects of the business and optimize processes accordingly.”

Improved business processes

Harwin is continually looking to improve business processes and works closely with IBS to develop the ERP system in all areas of the business.

For example, an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capability helps streamline the relationships between Harwin and its trading partners, improving forecasting and reducing operational costs. This increased supply chain visibility will help to enhance customer service by generating more accurate lead-time information and improving delivery performance.

A further challenge for Harwin is to share key manufacturing and supply chain information with manufacturing and distribution sites based throughout the world. Sites such as Singapore, which have also implemented IBS ERP solutions, enjoy complete visibility between the ERP systems. IBS is working with Harwin to increase the level of integration between international sites. This will help deliver more accurate information for demand planning and supply chain visibility, which will, in turn, have a significant, positive impact on global inventory costs.

Mutual benefits

As well as delivering a system that greatly improves the overall productivity and efficiency of the company, IBS places heavy emphasis on the support it gives to Harwin. “Response and service are crucial,” says Paul McGuinness, adding, “and IBS appreciates our situation and understands our business.” This understanding is crucial to the relationship that has developed between IBS and Harwin. The companies have gained mutual benefits from working on aspects of the manufacturing software.

Paul McGuinness concludes, “IBS Enterprise software makes the business smarter and more effective. It is all part of Harwin’s armory to help us conquer new markets.”

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