Norbar torques up its lean manufacturing ERP system

Norbar finance manager and project leader Ann Marie Paddock says the company selected Access Supply Chain because it was not complicated yet was able to handle its range of production operations, including make-to-order, engineer-to-order and assemble-to-order – as well as the company’s new lean manufacturing processes. “Access Supply Chain took such a thorough, consultative sales approach, that it almost felt like ‘try before you buy’. They gave us the confidence that their system did indeed meet our requirements,” says Paddock. “Their professional and balanced sales approach also gave us confidence, while their implementation team have continued to give excellent support as we configure the system,” she adds. Meanwhile, operations manager Graham Daniels confirms: “The software allows much better visibility of work-in-progress, so will help us promise shorter delivery times with a high confidence level.” Paddock says the five month implementation project is running to schedule and that Norbar’s 50-user system will go live at the start of January 2009. Norbar was the first company to commercially manufacture a torque wrench when, in 1942, it was asked to develop a means of accurately tightening the gasket-less cylinder head for the Rolls Royce Merlin, used in the Spitfire.