by Natalie Edwards

Fruehauf, Auckland – Success Story

 

‘Before QUICKSTOCK we used to make 60 purchase orders a month. And that is a lot of admin for people to process. With this QUICKSTOCK cabinet it made our life so much easier.’

 

Werner and the team at Fruehauf Auckland tell us how QUICKSTOCK has helped in the improved productivity and profitability for their customers…

Tell us a bit about Fruehauf…

 

‘Fruehauf's been a long established name in the New Zealand transport world. We manufacture truck and trailers. Things that we specialise in particularly is solutions. When the customer comes to us they'll present us with a set of problems or a particular path or route or cargo they  want to carry, and our engineering team will review the best solution for them. So it is very much a solution based company.’

Mark Madelin, GM Commercial

 

‘Fruehauf nationwide has got about 161 staff members. Auckland branch is looking at 51 production guys using the QUICKSTOCK system.’

Werner Theunissen, Purchasing Manager

How did you manage consumable inventory before QUICKSTOCK?

 

Werner: ‘Before QUICKSTOCK our life was a nightmare. There used to be purchase orders left, right and centre. We used to run around trying to find what purchase order belongs to which line. Quantities was wrong. Things were missed, and it just took so much time.

Fruehauf already had like our own KanBan system going on. But it was not working out. It was still last minute. Guys didn't check it. It was empty, and it would be a real pain in the butt if I can put it that way. 

Trying to get somebody to leave production, running around, coming back, usually it would take about 30 to 40 minutes depending on the traffic. And you know these days in Auckland traffic is not the best.'

How does the QUICKSTOCK system work with your operations?

 

Werner: ‘So how the QUICKSTOCK works for Fruehauf is one of the production guys, in this case we've got Chase, Chase would ring the bell.

“What do you require Chase?”

Chase: “Hey mate, could I please grab some disposable gloves?”

Werner: “Yeah sure.”

So Chase requires some disposable gloves. So come walk with me. I'll show you the cabinet.

Alright to here's the two beautiful blue QUICKSTOCK cabinets which is controlled by our inventory team. I'll open these up. Grab the gloves. Ah and I see some bikkies for morning tea. Close these bad boys. Now I walk over to Chase who is waiting at the door.

Right so I've got the product from the cabinet which I'll give to Chase who has been waiting patiently. “Here you go Chase, thanks mate.”

Simple and easy.'

Why did you decide to use QUICKSTOCK?

 

Werner: ‘So we just had enough pulling out our hair every month. Then Terry from Euromarc approached us saying "Hey we're got this QUICKSTOCK are you guys interested?" and we said "Hell yeah"’

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE COSTS INVOLVED IN ORDERING BEFORE QUICKSTOCK?

 

Werner: ‘Before QUICKSTOCK we used to make 60 purchase orders a month. And that is a lot of admin for people to process. With this QUICKSTOCK cabinet it made our life so much easier.’

 

Would you say QUICKSTOCK has improved your business?

 

Mark: ‘QUICKSTOCK has improved our business quite significantly to make it more efficient, and virtually administration free from our side. It saves a lot of time for everybody. It means that they have to do less purchase orders, and that we don't have to worry about a single thing about consumables.’ 

WERE THERE ANY HURDLES GETTING USED TO THE QUICKSTOCK SYSTEM?

 

Mark: ‘I think initially it was probably that fear of letting go. It's a very disconcerting approach just to allow someone else to be monitoring your stock, but I think that was dispelled very quickly once we came to realise that with Euromarc coming in they grew to know us. And that meant that we could have the confidence to get what we want.’

 

Werner: I think maybe the only issue there was is finding space where we can put those cabinets. Like are we going to put it there? Are we going to put it there? Oh no, it doesn't fit there. Is it too long for the guys to walk? Besides that, no. QUICKSTOCK is the way to go.

 

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THE QUICKSTOCK SOLUTION TO OTHER ENGINEERING COMPANIES?

 

Mark: ‘I would recommend the QUICKSTOCK solution to other engineering companies. It's meant that with a trusted partner such as Euromarc we've been able to focus on other aspects of the business and know that the stock we need, particularly consumables is there, when we want it.’

 

Werner: ‘Giving QUICKSTOCK a go was a no-brainer. Having the facts on the table, it made this whole process so much easier for everybody and till today we have no issues.’

 

Mark: ‘One of the benefits with the replenishers is building those relationships. It's almost like they're part of our Fruehauf team now. They're regular visitors to us and yeah I think it's worked very well.’