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Posted on Friday, October 6, 2006 1:24:50 | Keywords: | IQMS, EnterpriseIQ |
While U.S.-based injection molders have closed shop over the years, United Southern Industries, Inc. of Forest City, North Carolina has taken an unconventional path to success. Faced with increased foreign competition brought on by the signing of NAFTA in 1994, United Southern made the strategic decision to invest in people, technology and innovation, rather than make cutbacks to remain competitive. That decision spurred the company, founded in 1970, to re-invent its culture to push lean manufacturing principles from the top down, and empower employees at every level to drive profitability.
As part of its new culture, United Southern adopted an open-book management philosophy designed to drive costs out of the manufacturing process by teaching employees how to use financial information on the shop floor, keeping employees focused on results, and rewarding their successes. In the mid-nineties, the company sought to replace its manual-based and disparate ERP system with a solution that would facilitate this new philosophy. Automation, comprehensive functionality, ease-of-use, and most importantly across-the-board access to accurate and relevant data were paramount. United Southern found the perfect fit with EnterpriseIQ, the innovative, single-source enterprise software solution from IQMS. With EnterpriseIQ in place, United Southern has improved machine utilization, reduced overages, improved cash flow, tightened its production schedule, and pushed beyond what is typical in its industry to deliver better value with less cost. In fact, according to recent trade data collected by The Society of the Plastics Industry, United Southern’s labor costs are seven percent less than other molders its size, and its manufacturing costs are five percent less than the industry average.
According to Todd Bennett, president at United Southern, EnterpriseIQ enables the company to go deep into lean manufacturing. “Now everyone, from the shop floor to top management, has the same real-time data at their fingertips. Not only can we see what is happening on the shop floor as it occurs, but we can use historical metrics to empower our employees to drive greater efficiencies and make better decisions, which in turn drives greater profitability for us and our customers."
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IQMS EnterpriseIQ Intelligent Enterprise Software
e-Brochures :: IQMS's EnterpriseIQ ERP software delivers proven ROI where it matters most: profits, communication, and time.  How Successful ERP Selections Are Made
White Papers :: The paper highlights why functionality, while important, should be weighed against the backdrop of the entire ERP package, including its vendor.- How the Small Get Mighty
White Papers :: This paper sheds light on the ERP solutions being aimed at small to mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs), and shows SMMs how to make a best-choice in ERP so they can strengthen their advantage against global competition.  EnterpriseIQ Cornerstone of Success for Top Molder
Product Case Study :: United Southern Industries leverages EnterpriseIQ to deliver results that are “far from business as usual.”
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