Nowak Machined Products ERP Case Study
Industry
Machine Shop
Challenge
Nowak Machined Products faced significant limitations with their legacy ERP system, which led to data inaccuracies and a lack of trust in production information. The outdated software was unable to reliably support traceability requirements or provide accurate inventory management, creating operational inefficiencies and hindering quality control. The organization required a dependable, user-friendly ERP solution capable of delivering robust traceability, accurate data and operational improvements across their 60,000 sq. ft. facility with over 50 CNC machining centers.
Results
With Global Shop Solutions ERP, Nowak Machined Products achieved precise traceability from material receipt to shipment, reducing inbound freight costs by 65% and virtually eliminating stockouts. The ERP system enhanced production efficiency, improved quality control and enabled real-time access to trustworthy data for informed decision-making. Employees benefited from simplified maintenance tracking, comprehensive business insights and the ability to analyze sales and operational performance at both detailed and high-level views.
Key Applications
Inventory, Shop Floor Data Collection, Quality Control, CRM, Dashboards, Paperless, Preventative Maintenance, Sales
Global Shop Solutions has simplified our entire business and fundamentally changed the way we evaluate jobs, employees and processes for the better.
Kyle Baker
Global Shop Solutions Administrator
About Nowak Machined Products
Nowak Machined Products, founded in 1982 and headquartered in Muskegon, Michigan, is an ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified CNC machine shop. Operating out of a 60,000 sq. ft. facility with over 50 CNC machining centers, the family-owned business serves industries such as agriculture, automotive, recreational vehicles and materials handling.The Challenge
Before adopting Global Shop Solutions ERP, Nowak Machined Products operated with an outdated ERP system that failed to provide accurate, trustworthy production data. Data errors and system shortcuts undermined traceability and made it difficult to monitor inventory, leading to operational inefficiencies, potential stockouts and increased costs. As an ISO/TS 16949:2009 certified CNC shop serving demanding sectors, Nowak needed a robust, reliable software platform to support its growth and maintain high standards of quality and compliance.
The Solution
Seeking a comprehensive solution, Nowak Machined Products evaluated ERP options that could deliver traceability, ease of use and strong customer support. According to Kyle Baker, Global Shop Solutions Administrator, "It’s easy to use, easy to customize, and it offers great support – both online and on the phone. We also liked the fact it’s made by a family-owned business. But the main selling point was the system’s comprehensive ability to handle everything we wanted to do and more." Global Shop Solutions ERP was selected for its depth of manufacturing functionality, intuitive design and proven reliability. Implementation enabled Nowak to leverage integrated inventory management, shop floor data collection, traceability features and customizable dashboards, providing a single source of truth across the business.
The Results
The impact of Global Shop Solutions ERP was immediate and measurable. Nowak Machined Products achieved a 65% reduction in inbound freight charges, virtually eliminated stockouts and experienced significant improvements in production efficiency and quality control. The ERP's traceability tools allowed the team to track every part from receipt through machining to shipment, building trust in the accuracy of their data. As Kyle Baker noted, "Using the lot serial number, Global Shop Solutions makes it easy to track the part from beginning to end. From one screen, we can see when a part came in, when it was machined and by whom and when we shipped it out. More important, we know we can trust the data, which we couldn’t do before." Additionally, enhanced reporting and sales analysis empowered the sales team. Jillian Nowak shared, "I use it for detailed sales analysis of individual customers and their sales history. From one screen, I can get a quick snapshot of our business with each customer. I can run sales reports and review sales history or shipping reports to see the value of a specific customer." Global Shop Solutions ERP provided Nowak Machined Products with real-time operational visibility, robust process controls and the agility to adapt and grow in competitive manufacturing markets.