Rathburn Company Background
Based in Indiana, Rathburn is a manufacturer of precision machined parts tailored specifically for other manufacturers. With their own custom automated machines and robots, Rathburn’s creative teams use this machinery to manufacture the exact missing piece their client needs with precision and consistency in production. While their cutting-edge robotics are impressive, it is their dedication to collaboration and customer care that truly sets them apart. With a motto like, “deliver value, not product”, Rathburn is clearly a company that works closely with the people they serve and maintains long-term relationships with their clients.
Rathburn’s Challenge
As Rathburn has grown over the years, the system they had always relied on was no longer supporting the production demand. While their custom machinery is still efficient, Rathburn’s workflows and data collection needed to be revamped to keep up with production. Manual processes became overwhelming burdens, highlighting the need for a modern solution. Rathburn found themselves in need of a major upgrade, but deciding what system to select went beyond their area of expertise.
Fortunately for Rathburn, TSVMap specializes in assisting companies in finding, selecting, and implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to suit their specific needs. We have the expertise Rathburn needed to help them make an informed decision on what functions and features they needed and how to implement them efficiently.
The Solution
TSVMap joined forces with Rathburn to help them select an ERP system through a meticulously thought-out approach. Our process utilized the following steps:
1. Define the Vision
TSVMap worked closely with Rathburn’s leadership and employees to create a Request for Proposal (RFP) document that encapsulates Rathburn’s specific production needs. The purpose of this document is to clearly demonstrate Rathburn’s exhaustive requirements to ERP vendors. TSVMap lent their expertise to pinpoint the specific areas for improvement in Rathburn’s process, while also translating them into criteria for ERP providers.
2. Find the Perfect Fit
With a finalized RFP, TSVMap selected ERP providers they felt would align with Rathburn’s current needs and long-term growth and sent the document to them. TSVMap then meticulously catalogued the vendor responses and presented them to Rathburn in an accessible way, allowing for straightforward evaluation based on costs, features, and benefits. After deliberating over the offerings, Rathburn selected Plex Systems to serve as their ERP solution.
3. Implementation and Training
During implementation, TSVMap provided oversight and guidance to Rathburn as they worked with Plex-experts Cumulus Consulting, LLC, continually advocating to keep Rathburn’s best interests at the forefront of the implementation. The process included assistance with data migration, documentation, testing, and training to ensure the success of the program after its implementation.
Rathburn’s Results
The new system has streamlined Rathburn’s workflows, automation, and data collection, allowing them to save time and money and reduce production waste. Furthermore, the Plex ERP can be scaled up with Rathburn as their business grows and expands. With Plex in place, Rathburn can focus more of their valuable time and energy on working with the people and clients they serve.
Lessons Learned for TSV and Rathburn
The collaboration between these two companies shows how modern technology can work in harmony with expert guidance from companies like TSVMap. The implementation of Plex ERP has truly improved Rathburn’s ability to deliver the value they seek to provide for their clients. TSVMap and Rathburn are both client-centered companies that focus on the people they work with rather than the products they offer. TSVMap’s partnership with Rathburn will allow Rathburn to form better partnerships with their own clients as they continue to grow their business moving forward.