Audio speaker maker overhauls ERP

Replacement of a speaker manufacturer's existing manufacturing, distribution and accounts system, with a global ERP solution, brought immediate business efficiencies and cost savings.

When US car audio specialist Maxxsonics acquired German speaker manufacturer MB Quart, it replaced the company's existing manufacturing, distribution and accounts system, with a global Syspro ERP solution, bringing immediate business efficiencies and cost savings.

Maxxsonics is a Chicago-based supplier of high quality car audio systems.

Its brands include Autotek, Crunch and Hifonics, top of the range systems, popular with enthusiasts.

The company is renowned for its technical expertise and 'empathy with the vehicle and its owner'.

Maxxsonics Europe acquired MB Quart, based in Obrigheim in Germany in September 2005.

Also operating at the top end of the market, MB Quart manufactures speakers for home and marine use, as well as for vehicles.

It also makes headphones for private users and for professional studio applications.

The acquisition of the German company is providing a launch pad for Maxxsonics into home, multi-media and personal audio markets.

In order to reduce complexity between the USA and Europe entities following the merger, Maxxsonics wanted to harmonise its ERP systems, so the company - already using a Syspro system for distribution and accounting in Chicago - approached UK-based Syspro distributor, K3, to provide an integrated Syspro solution for its new European manufacturing arm.

The system is due to go live in December and will provide Maxxsonics complete visibility of its manufacturing and distribution operations worldwide.

Maxxsonics' sales are seasonal to a degree and it has to manufacture in plenty of time for goods to reach retail stores around the world in time for peak sales periods.

The new Syspro system will allow Maxxsonics to fully integrate its global forecasting, manufacturing and distribution processes, thus controlling output directly from sales order entry and bringing product availability in line with demand.

The company expects significant efficiency improvements in its sales and production planning processes as well as the establishment of a more effective management reporting system Bill Koza, vice president of Operations at Maxxsonics says, "With the Syspro system, we will be able to manufacture strictly to forecast, and forecasting itself will become much more accurate.

One of the first things the improved visibility will allow us to do immediately is identify opportunities to run promotions on existing stocks.".

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