Firstronic's Strategic Growth and Reshoring Success with Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform
Customer Company Size
Mid-size Company
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform
- Epicor
- SAP
Tech Stack
- Cloud ERP
- Kanban
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Applicable Industries
- Electronics
- Automotive
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Predictive Maintenance
- Manufacturing System Automation
- Supply Chain Visibility
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
Firstronic LLC is a leading provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company specializes in turnkey electronic assembly and materials management services for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the electronics industry. Firstronic serves a diverse range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, commercial, and industrial sectors. The company is ISO 9001:2008 and ISO/TS16949 registered, ensuring high-quality standards in its operations. Firstronic's services primarily involve the manufacture of complex printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) using advanced technologies such as through-hole and surface mount technology (SMT). The company is committed to optimizing time-to-market, providing premium quality workmanship, and minimizing costs. Firstronic's vision is to achieve controlled growth while maintaining service and quality levels comparable with tier-one suppliers.
The Challenge
Firstronic faced the challenge of managing rapid growth and reshoring business in the competitive electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry. The company needed to optimize its infrastructure and information system capabilities to handle a record number of new project launches. Firstronic recognized that its existing proprietary program management automation and MRP tools were insufficient for managing the expected growth. The company needed a more robust, integrated ERP system to enhance its operations and maintain high-quality service at a competitive cost. Additionally, Firstronic aimed to improve its time-to-market, quality, and cost-effectiveness to attract new customers and win back business that had been offshored.
The Solution
Firstronic selected the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform as its ERP solution to address its growth and reshoring challenges. The company evaluated several cloud ERP solutions, including Plex, Epicor, and SAP, and chose Plex for its robust capabilities and scalability. The implementation of Plex allowed Firstronic to manage its complex product lines with hundreds of part numbers and sub-part numbers efficiently. The platform's sophisticated BOM capabilities and support for Kanban releases enabled Firstronic to streamline its operations. Plex's checksheets and control plans ensured correct setup of Firstronic's part reels, preventing quality issues and production delays. The platform also facilitated tight integration with component suppliers, allowing Firstronic to handle engineering change requests and EDI releasing efficiently. The web-based portals provided real-time monitoring of plans and operations, reducing the need for manual communication. Firstronic's successful implementation of Plex contributed to its ability to reshore business and attract new customers.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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