Bob the Builder manufacturer RC2, which also designs and makes Thomas the Tank Engine and Johnny Lightning, has ordered the SAP Smartstart ERP system from Chelford SAP Solutions to manage wholesale and distribution functions in Europe and the Middle East.
RC2 says the SAP solution will consolidate, centralise and improve these operations as it expands throughout the regions. It also points to the system’s multi-lingual capabilities, which will improve support, including at its existing offices in France, Germany and Holland.
“With the new growth targets we have, we felt the need to look at new options for the management of our expanding operations,” says Carol Newman, Operations Director of RC2’s European and Middle Eastern Division.
“SAP gives us a multi-lingual solution, so that we will have no inhibitions about going into new countries, because we know we will be able to process sales and stock information right away. The centralisation that SAP offers will also give us some operational advantages.”
Specifically, the system will provide time-saving shortcuts to RC2’s processes, for example in sales data entry, while building a central repository of information on customer orders, progress reports and stock and inventory levels. Beyond that, RC2 says it expects Chelford SAP to ensure that the system provides scalability and future-proofing for its continuing global expansion.
“The SAP Smartstart solution also gives us a straightforward avenue to scale the operation up as and when we need to,” continues Newman. “We perceive an extended period of growth as we look to consolidate in new countries, and a major factor in our decision to go with Chelford SAP was the assurance that the solution would have no problems accommodating that.”