CG Electrodes sparks better lean manufacturing with ERP and APS

Carolyn Hockman, who manages business systems at CGs, explains that Infor's APS (advanced planning and scheduling) is an essential part of the company's drive to strengthen its lean manufacturing practices. "As the only wholly American-owned manufacturer of graphite electrodes [used in the electric arc furnace steel making process], we required an ERP system with a wide range of functionality for production planning, shop floor control, and product costing," says Hockman. "We selected Infor because it is sharply in tune with the requirements of mid-sized manufacturers and took the time to get to know and understand our business," she adds. Hockman also believes that the new system will shortening time-to-market by providing greater accuracy, detail and speed of information across its processes for hybrid manufacturing. And she points to the solution's analytic and reporting capabilities. "This functionality will enable primary decision makers to make the choices they need to be more competitive and enhances workforce productivity,2 she says. As for the APS functionality, the expectation is a new ability to coordinate orders with production planning to improve customer service. Hockman says that, due to the nature of the graphite electrode manufacturing industry, CG needed a planning module capable of synchronizing inventory and material flow to customer demand.