Victrex to solve growth problem with new planner

High performance materials maker Victrex is to implement an Optimiza planning system from ERP systems developer SSI to help ensure product supply commitments as it expands fast. The system, which recently passed piloting at Victrex’s Lancashire site, covers demand planning and analysis, and will optimise the firm’s stock and manufacturing requirements across three world regions, according to predicted demand. Its installation is aimed at handling what has been huge growth for Victrex with its Peek high performance thermoplastic premium product – 26% in the six months to March alone. Optimiza will gather data from the plant, the firm’s three global regions and its ERP system, taking sales and supply history and consolidating that with sales, distributor and customer forecasts, plus production capability information. It will then model future demand and manufacturing requirements, with ‘what if’ capability for decision support. IT manager John Cafferty says the system is essential to ensure that production capacity continues to exceed demand. “Our customers are buying premium products, and they expect us to meet their demand from stock within a few days, rather than buying and storing more than they need,” he explains. “Now we are manufacturing 20 product lines and have doubled capacity, we need much more control over the variables and pinch points in the supply chain.” The full system has now been ordered, along with SSI implementation, consultancy, technical and application training and support. It will be live by the end of this year.