CSB ERP solution provides cost savings and informed business decisions
Coherent data capture throughout the production process and detailed analyses , using an ERP solution devised by leading specialist CSB-System , has enabled US meat producer Courage Production to maximise yields and efficiencies throughout its operation , enhance data collection and planning processes , and deliver valuable cost savings .
Courage , based in California , specialises in hot dogs , beef jerky , poultry and delicatessen products . To better support government regulations and the increasing documentation requirements for its business , the company introduced ERP software from CSB , which greatly simplified the processes .
“ In the past , everything was rather complicated with some 50 pages of paper being passed onto production , such as bills of material , recipes and work instructions ,” explained Courage Production ’ s president , Rob Engelhart . “ We have now digitised and streamlined this to a great extent . At the same time , we have really intensified our data capturing .”
One particular example of this is the efficiency gains that have been achieved in the company ’ s four smoke houses . Around 350 different items go through the smoke houses , where they each lose part of their weight . By weighing every smoking cart before and after smoking , using PC racks specifically set up for this purpose , the ERP system was able to aggregate the data to provide a precise overview . This enabled Courage managers to identify in which smoke house specific products had the lowest loss . 38 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk
The availability of such information has allowed optimal planning and distribution of the raw materials to the different positions in the chambers . The numerous minor improvements achieved , such as a two per cent increase in hot dog yields and one per cent less water for beef jerky , has translated into a major cost saving . “ This allows us to optimise the yields of every item in every smoke house , and to reduce our losses to an absolute minimum ,” said Engelhart .
As well as high levels of efficiency , digital optimisation has also enhanced planning and control , with predictive machine planning helping to ensure the best possible utilisation of the production lines , while providing the
flexibility to respond quickly to shortnotice orders .
As part of this , the CSB Advanced Planning and Scheduling ( APS ) module takes the five most important factors into account for planning - product group , label , wrapping films , allergens and set-up changes . This provides an optimised planning proposal , which can be adapted dynamically and in detail by managers .
Several additional optimisation measures have further increased transparency . Overall , the ERP system and its data on purchase orders , order entries , invoices , calculations , production orders and inventory movements will become the ‘ workhouse ’ and growth driver for all Courage Production ’ s business decisions .
“ We want to double our production and expand our products throughout the United States over the next five years ,” said Rob Engelhart .
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