Case Studies > Customer Case Study: Dunlop Systems & Components

Customer Case Study: Dunlop Systems & Components

Customer Company Size

SME

Region

Europe

Country

United Kingdom

Product

Priority ERP
ECAS (Electronically Controlled Air Suspension)
Air Springs

Tech Stack

ERP
Business Intelligence
Data Cleansing

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Productivity Improvements
Customer Satisfaction
Cost Savings

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration

Applicable Industries

Automotive

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Inventory Management

Services

System Integration
Data Science Services
Software Design & Engineering Services

About The Customer

Dunlop Systems & Components, headquartered in Coventry, UK, specializes in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic control systems and air suspension components for the automotive and ancillary industries. Established in 2007 after a management buyout of the Dunlop Coventry suspension division from Trelleborg AB, the company operates from a state-of-the-art facility. Dunlop's product range includes air springs, electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS), air suspension conversions, mobility systems, testing services, and electronic design. The company employs close to 100 people and has an annual turnover of approximately £10 million. They have sold over a quarter of a million ECAS systems worldwide and over 10 million air springs since production began in the 1950s.

The Challenge

The senior management team at Dunlop Systems & Components identified the need for a more robust and efficient ERP system to replace their outdated and costly legacy system. The legacy system had several issues, including data accuracy problems related to BOM's routings and core part data, and a poor MRP mechanism that resulted in operational inefficiency. Dunlop aimed to implement a comprehensive ERP package focusing on production, logistics, and project management. Their future plans included extensive use of shop floor data collection, PDA’s, barcoding, and live reporting of production.

The Solution

Dunlop Systems & Components partnered with Medatech UK to implement the Priority ERP system. Priority provided a standard system with modifications tailored to Dunlop's business processes. The implementation included extensive data cleansing before migrating to the new system, ensuring accurate results across various data analyzers. The new ERP system facilitated smooth and efficient workflows in the challenging environment of a manufacturing platform within a multi-company setup. The project management module was integrated into the system, enhancing transparency and collaboration across departments. The business intelligence module allowed for executive dashboards and drill-down capabilities, providing management with a comprehensive view of business processes and performance.

Operational Impact

Enhanced Project Management: The project management module is now an integral part of the system, allowing for greater transparency and collaboration across departments.
Executive Reporting: The business intelligence module provides executive dashboards and drill-down capabilities, offering management a comprehensive view of business processes and performance.
Production Efficiency: Accurate product prices are now available through the Priority ERP system, thanks to a thorough review and input of BOMs and timed operations.
Operations: There is a growing trust in the data from the new system, leading to constant strategy reviews on the shop floor.
Inventory Management: Both final products and raw materials are now effectively managed using FIFO and Lot control, with manufacturing and raw material procurement closely monitored and managed through the Priority ERP and purchase planning modules.

Quantitative Benefit