Australian Manufacturer B&R Enclosures Prepares for Growth with Manhattan Associates

Logistics Asia - Industry News, 2/5/2008

Supply chain optimisation provider Manhattan Associateshas announced that B&R Enclosures, Australia's largest manufacturer of electrical enclosures, has selected Manhattan ILS: Integrated Logistics Solutions, built on Microsoft.NET, to run its six distribution facilities across Australia. Manhattan ILS will complement B&R's existing IT systems, equipping warehouse staff with unique supply chain optimisation capabilities that are not provided via the standard supply chain modules of leading ERP and manufacturing software systems.

Rapid and consistent growth, coupled with a lack of system-facilitated warehouse management and supply chain optimisation capabilities, led to B&R's existing warehouse facilities becoming over-stretched, making warehouse and distribution efficiency difficult to maintain.

"Moving from an entirely manual system to a comprehensive software solution was obviously a big step for us," said Brad Eckert, manufacturing and operations manager for B&R Enclosures. "Rather than invest in a new distribution centre to give us additional floor space to support the anticipated expansion of our business, we calculated that the increased efficiency we would gain by introducing narrow aisles and a powerful supply chain optimisation solution would better manage the space we have now — increasing the distribution capacity of the existing facility and at the same time bringing discipline and simplicity to our operational processes."

"Manhattan ILS provides us with best practice functionality and can scale with us as we grow," continued Eckert. "The familiar look and feel of the system — which echoes the Microsoft Windows environment — also was a key factor, as it will make it easier to train our staff who do not have prior experience working with technology in the warehouse."

Manhattan Associates, www.manh.com