Argent International Achieves Near-100% On-Time Delivery with Plex Manufacturing Cloud
Customer Company Size
Mid-size Company
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Plex Manufacturing Cloud
- QAD ERP System
Tech Stack
- Cloud Delivery Model
- Bluetooth Scanners
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Data Management Platforms
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Applicable Industries
- Automotive
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Inventory Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Argent International is a 3M Preferred Converter with over 40 years of experience in the fabrication and distribution of unique adhesive and die-cut solutions. The company is based in Plymouth, Michigan, and specializes in manufacturing more than 20 million individual parts per month with 350 unique part numbers, offering unlimited part configurations. Argent is TS 16949 and ISO 14001 certified, emphasizing quality as its top priority across a diverse range of products, from simple die-cut tapes, seals, and gaskets to fully assembled sub-components. The company has built a reputation for its commitment to quality and efficiency, serving the automotive industry with precision and reliability.
The Challenge
Argent International faced significant challenges with its existing ERP system from QAD, which was cumbersome for end users and introduced process disruptions with every upgrade. The system failed to provide critical visibility into capacity and inventory, leading to scheduling problems, missed delivery deadlines, and a reliance on error-prone and time-consuming manual inventory processes. These issues were particularly problematic for Argent, a company that competes on quality, as they hindered its ability to maintain high standards and efficient operations.
The Solution
To address the challenges posed by its previous ERP system, Argent International implemented the Plex Manufacturing Cloud. This cloud-based solution eliminated the need for costly hardware and provided seamless upgrades, significantly reducing the $60,000 annual expenses associated with the QAD system. Plex's real-time data capabilities allowed every employee to access critical business information, supporting Argent's open-book management philosophy. Employees were empowered to contribute to business performance, with data-driven insights helping them understand their impact on the bottom line. Plex also streamlined quality audits, providing auditors with easy access to operational data. The system's cycle count feature improved inventory accuracy, while Bluetooth scanners facilitated efficient inventory management. Additionally, the implementation of Andon lights and automated alerts minimized downtime and optimized machine performance, contributing to Argent's operational efficiency.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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