Horizon Technology's Innovative Approach to Powder Metal Manufacturing with Plex ERP
Customer Company Size
Mid-size Company
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Plex
- JobBOSS
- QuickBooks
- Impact
Tech Stack
- Cloud Technology
- ERP System
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Customer Satisfaction
- Innovation Output
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Applicable Industries
- Automotive
Applicable Functions
- Quality Assurance
- Business Operation
Use Cases
- Factory Operations Visibility & Intelligence
- Predictive Maintenance
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- Training
About The Customer
Horizon Technology, headquartered in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, has been a leader in developing complex, cost-effective solutions for powder metal products since 2001. The company leverages its extensive experience in powder metallurgy to enable customers to convert their components to powder metal or enhance their current designs. Horizon's innovative technology allows for the production of components previously thought impossible, making it a key player in the automotive industry. The company focuses on reducing porosity and increasing density, which supports the automotive industry's need for smaller car components, especially as electric vehicles become more prevalent. Horizon's technology can reduce the size of an electric motor by up to one-third, and the company anticipates its materials will find applications in a wide range of everyday products.
The Challenge
Horizon Technology faced several challenges as a growing company in the complex powder metal industry. Operating on three disparate software platforms, the company struggled with product quality control and traceability, which were crucial for innovation. The aging AS/400 system made product traceability difficult, and the lack of a dedicated IT staff limited options for on-premises software installations. Additionally, Horizon's small size relative to competitors forced it to work smarter to prove itself to prospective customers. The company needed a more sophisticated, fully integrated platform to manage its complex business and support its growth plans.
The Solution
To address its challenges, Horizon Technology implemented Plex, a cloud-based ERP system, to replace its disparate software solutions. The company first rolled out the quality module, followed by other functionalities, to create an integrated, unified system of record. This approach allowed Horizon to meet quality management system (QMS) and automotive requirements while empowering shop floor employees to complete multiple activities on one screen. The error-proof quality activities and increased traceability provided by Plex were key to reducing waste and non-value activities. Horizon also implemented Plex's accounting and financials functionality, with support and training from Plex's team to maximize the module's benefits. The cloud technology was appealing due to the company's lack of a dedicated IT department, and some employees' prior experience with Plex facilitated the transition.
Operational Impact
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