Hawkins-Salmon gets decked out with Kerridge Commercial Systems

Hawkins-Salmon Ltd, a leading manufacturer and distributor of fencing materials, gates and general timber supplies, has recently signed a contract with Kerridge Commercial Systems to replace their outdated software and update working practices accordingly.

Hawkins-Salmon Ltd is based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, and has been supplying timber fencing and related products for over 15 years to its core markets which include principally landscape, fencing and equestrian contractors as well as a highly successful local retail business. The company has grown largely as a result of its reputation for service and reliability plus the versatility in providing specialist manufactured products from their highly skilled workshop. With 40+ staff, the company has outgrown its basic accounting package and decided to seek a totally integrated business solution from an alternative supplier.

Dean Fisher, General Manager of Hawkins-Salmon, explains, "basically, we had an old DOS accounting package that was unable to provide the business with the information necessary to undertake our planned strategic growth. A new system was also essential to enable us to better control our operations. Precise real time business information will enhance the already enviable service we provide to our customers by being even quicker, more accurate and more aware of stock availability, lead times and prices."

David Ladley, Financial Controller, adds, "we decided to explore 12 potential solution providers, either specialising in timber or in distribution with a timber bias, coupled with a few more general well known branded software options for comparison. The key requirements were to implement a system that would provide fast and easy access to all business information, whether the user works at the front line or in the back-office. Furthermore, the fact that screens mirror our existing paperwork will greatly help with familiarity and possibly then help with the inevitable fear of exploiting computers in day-to-day operational roles."

"Obviously, we felt it important that our staff across the business were aware of the steps being taken. This was done through regular briefings for various managers and ad hoc updates for anybody requesting them. In addition, a team comprising 15% of the workforce actually assessed the short-listed options. At the same time, over 60% of our staff were involved in discussing how our working practices were going to change to eliminate the obvious historical flaws and exploit what the technology would bring. We felt they needed to be comfortable with contributing to how a system could make roles much simpler and provide easier and wider access to crucial operational information like stock, orders and customer details," continues David.

Hawkins-Salmon was looking for a totally integrated system that would address anything a timber merchant would do in the day-to-day running of its operations, whilst providing the strategic information to understand how it is performing and where it could improve. The whole core team concluded Kerridge Commercial Systems was the best solution and, in the words of David Ladley, "the 6 of us assessing the options felt the Kerridge Commercial Systems' solution for us was significantly better than its rivals in every respect. The decision to go with Kerridge Commercial Systems was therefore totally unanimous." Kerridge Commercial Systems has been working with merchants for over 25 years to provide them with successful systems built on the business logic it has built-in collaboration with their merchant customers.

"We all felt that Kerridge Commercial Systems had the solution to move Hawkins-Salmon forward to become a more IT driven and customer focused organisation, addressing the key areas of the business that would definitely benefit from computerisation," declares Pat Hallam, Business Administrator, who has been with the company for 10 years and overseen many changes. She acknowledges that, "with truly integrated accounting and reporting functionality, this should add knowledge and control to our company as it moves forward. We have not really had this at any time before in the company's history. I am sure that our users will be pleased with the benefits this integrated system will provide saving countless hours, speeding up communication, reducing mistakes and speeding up customer service in our retail yard and shop."

Mike Dorward, Commercial Director of Kerridge Commercial Systems, says, "we feel confident that with all the functionality in the Kerridge Commercial Systems' system, coupled with the redefined business processes Hawkins Salmon have already examined with the majority of their workforce, our system can support the improvements they seek."

"We are very pleased to be working with Hawkins-Salmon and look forward to a long and successful partnership with them," concludes Mike Dorward.

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