Plex Systems > Case Studies > Hatch Stamping Company Enhances Efficiency with Plex ERP and MES Solutions

Hatch Stamping Company Enhances Efficiency with Plex ERP and MES Solutions

Customer Company Size

Mid-size Company

Region

America

Country

Mexico
United States

Product

Plex
QAD
SAP

Tech Stack

Cloud Model
ERP
MES
CRM

Implementation Scale

Enterprise-wide Deployment

Impact Metrics

Productivity Improvements
Cost Savings
Waste Reduction

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems

Applicable Industries

Automotive
Metals

Applicable Functions

Process Manufacturing
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Predictive Maintenance
Inventory Management
Machine Condition Monitoring

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services
System Integration

About The Customer

Hatch Stamping Company, headquartered in Chelsea, Michigan, is a metal stampings manufacturer specializing in design, prototype construction, progressive die construction, stampings, and assemblies for the automotive industry. The company operates plants in the United States and Mexico, focusing on delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. Hatch Stamping has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by its strong values of quality, customer service, and integrity. As a mid-size company, Hatch Stamping is committed to continuous improvement and innovation, seeking to enhance its operational efficiency and maintain its competitive edge in the automotive industry.

The Challenge

Hatch Stamping Company faced challenges in achieving efficiency and accuracy due to its reliance on manual processes and an outdated technology infrastructure. The company needed to manage operations across the United States and Mexico and integrate information from various disparate systems and databases. The existing DOS-based ERP system was not robust enough to handle the company's demands and goals, prompting the need for a more advanced solution. Hatch evaluated several ERP solutions, including QAD and SAP, before choosing Plex to integrate information from disparate databases into a user-friendly, simplified, and accessible solution across the enterprise.

The Solution

Hatch Stamping Company implemented Plex, a cloud-based ERP solution, to address its operational challenges and enhance efficiency. Plex combines ERP, MES, quality management, CRM, and shop-floor integration capabilities, providing a comprehensive solution for managing operations. The cloud model of Plex eliminates the need for costly and disruptive version upgrades, as enhancements are made in real-time at no additional cost. Plex enables complete integration of real-time operational data from the shop floor to the top floor, facilitating effective preventative maintenance, cost savings, and lean manufacturing operations. Employees can input and retrieve real-time data, allowing for informed decision-making and efficient resource management. The multi-plant feature of Plex enables Hatch to monitor and manage accounts and inventories for each plant, ensuring maximum transparency and performance traceability. Additionally, Plex's built-in barcode features simplify inventory tracking, making the process more accurate and paperless.

Operational Impact

Hatch Stamping Company manages data for operations spanning the United States and Mexico, isolating performance metrics and financial data by plant.
Plex's barcoding capabilities enable more accurate parts tracking, supporting inventory tracking, shipping/receiving, tool tracking, gage tracking, labor time and attendance, and other areas.
The integration of real-time operational data with Plex facilitates effective preventative maintenance, cost savings, and lean manufacturing operations.
Employees can create reports within minutes, allowing management to avoid unnecessary costs, redirect resources to higher-value tasks, and proactively address production issues.
Plex's ease of use is exemplified in the company's Mexico plant, where 90% of shop-floor employees speak Spanish, yet continue to use the system in English.

Quantitative Benefit

Plex's multi-plant feature allows Hatch to monitor and manage accounts and inventories for each plant, enhancing transparency and performance traceability.
The barcode labeling feature of Plex establishes inventory transparency, supporting hundreds of standard and specialized barcode formats for accurate tracking.
Plex's customized function for measuring OEE provides powerful yet simple-to-use tools to maximize uptime and productivity, focusing on downtime, performance-to-rate, and quality metrics.