PFK Electronics (Pty) Ltd, established in 1985, is a multi-million Rand design and manufacturing company specialising in Auto security products. They started exporting in 1991 and now export to 23 countries world-wide, competing head-on with Japan and Asian rim producers.
Mike Parnaby (MD PFK), elaborates, "PFK is a humble yet successful manufacturing company with its corporate headquarters in Durban, PFK has expanded rapidly and now employs more than 250 people".
Dave Keightly (sales director) had this to add, "Largely a company driven by engineering rather than marketing, our initial humble approach to establishing ourselves proved to be a key to success. We relied on our innovative designs, quality and personalised service to achieve our customer base. Our customers became friends, making it more difficult for competitors, who seem to rely on the traditional marketing ploys and strategies that need to be redefined on a regular basis."
Sophisticated computer modelling is extensively used in the product development cycle as a design aid to reduce development time - efficient assembly facilities ultimately determine competitiveness and success. Quality control is of utmost importance to PFK who have an ISO 9002 listing certified by the British Standards Institute. "In line with our growth objectives certain problem areas needed to be addressed", says production director Ian Darwent. "We conducted a comprehensive study of similar businesses to ascertain the most suitable business management software, only to find that a variety of packages were used without much success.
"The new system had to have a strong emphasis on manufacturing and distribution without neglecting the financials, provide a fully integrated solution with good enterprise reporting capabilities and still represent value for money. An in depth selection process was undertaken by Dave Elmore (financial director), Ron Gilchrist (quality assurance manager) and Ian Darwent (production director) and "Macola`s Progression Series 7.5, which is a proven, stable product, was the most sensible choice," says Darwent.
"By using Macola`s Progression Series 7.5 we can pass the benefits of the technology on to our customers by providing better service and improved quotation accuracy. Macola`s software has enabled us to swing 70% of our production to export by ensuring better management of information which in turn has led to greater productivity," says Darwent.
Nick Leonard, Macola S.A. marketing and sales manager, says, "because Progression Series 7.5 is scalable and fully customisable it adapts to your business practices and helps you maximise efficiencies and productivity, as in the case of PFK."
Ian Darwent identified the following improvements, "Inventory has been optimised and the detail analysis provided by Macola MRP and other Distribution modules has really been an asset in all phases of planning. Management of supplies has been highly enhanced and has freed up buyers to concentrate on more important aspects. Because the system is fully integrated and enforces a discipline, all departments can function seamlessly with each other.
The Production Order Processing module lightens the load on production management. We will soon be implementing the Manufacturing Cost Accounting and Shop Floor Control modules, which will provide very accurate costing and exceptional work centre control. A notable and refreshing change from the norm has been the level of service and support we`ve received from East Coast Systems (ECS), supplier and installer of Macola software. Ian Bannerman, MD of ECS, ensured his team were fully briefed on our operating parameters and maintained a smooth transition to the new software."
"As part of our diversification objectives, and in conjunction with our new partner African Merchant Bank, PFK is committed to seeking suitable strategic alliances," says MD Mike Parnaby, "further to this we wish to increase our export turnover to 90% of total production by the end of 1999." ENDS
Founded in 1971, Macola is a privately owned global company headquartered in Marion, Ohio. Macola provides client/server manufacturing, distribution and financial solutions in more than 35 countries through its Business Partner Network.
Macola is a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner, offering a product line that takes full advantage of the Microsoft Windows and BackOffice environments. Macola`s signature product, Progression Series 7.5, is a client/server application designed to combine robust functionality with flexibility and scalability that businesses can leverage today and well into the future.
Macola Software`s Progression Series is an award-winning product line. Macola was named by start magazine as one of the "Hottest Companies of 1998." Macola was also included in Manufacturing Systems` list of the "Top 100 Manufacturing Software Vendors" for 1998. Accounting Today magazine named Macola`s Progression Series Distribution software as one of the "Top 100 Software Products in 1999."
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