3 Examples of Process Automation Making a Big Impact for OEM Suppliers

One of the biggest areas of focus for OEM suppliers has always been working to automate manual processes. Automation can help suppliers gain efficiency and improve employee productivity. But now, it is more critical than ever to enable some remote work and retain employees in a now highly competitive hiring market.

At SharpQuest we have over a decade of experience helping OEM suppliers automate manual processes and modernize their legacy applications. The impact of these projects is incredible. We’ve seen cost reductions and revenue generating improvements. But there is no question that employees are loving process improvements that make their jobs easier or enable them to work remotely as needed. Here are some examples of projects that OEM suppliers have been doing to automate manual processes—and the corresponding value they are experiencing.

Plastic Omnium Automates Drawing Approval Process

Plastic Omnium, a global leader in automotive equipment manufacturing, had a manual process for fuel tank engineering drawing approvals that was slow and laborious. Drawings had to be sent in the mail for signature approvals. And changes required multiple mailings that could span months. We worked with Plastic Omnium to completely automate this process, including digitizing signatures that brought the process from months down to a same-day response.

Automating this one process is saving them thousands of dollars in labor, paper ​and mailing costs annually per location. Even more important, they’ve dramatically improved their relationship with suppliers and their employees that are involved in the process. Read their full story here.

TKS Industrial Automates POs, Quotes, and Supplier Onboarding

TKS Industrial, a world leader in installing automotive paint systems and HVAC systems, had manual business processes that were causing wasted effort. Projecting cost, budget, purchasing and sales were all managed using Excel spreadsheets and email. They knew they were wasting effort and frustrating employees. We worked with TKS Industrial to create a mini-ERP system in the cloud so it was accessible wherever employees worked, while taking measures to ensure data accuracy and security.

Automating these business processes resulted in purchase orders doubling over 3 years. Sales proposals doubled in the first year with sales able to handle more inquiries. They also expanded their supplier base with the ability to onboard 70-90 more suppliers each year. Read their full story here.

American MSC Automates Inventory, Forecasting and Supplier Ordering

American MSC, a spring manufacturer for the automotive industry, had an outdated, home-grown MRP system that was in desperate need of modernization. Additionally, they had manual processes they wanted to automate and add as new modules. We worked with American MSC to bring their systems to the cloud while improving capabilities and user experience. Ordering, forecasting, reporting and packing systems were all modernized or automated from manual processes.

Automating these processes also included centralizing their data, which greatly improved access and accuracy. Overall, American MSC is seeing a 10-20% cost savings thanks to better employee productivity and fewer mistakes. The improvements have also reduced the shipment processing time between the US and Japan. Yet their VP of Ops will tell you that one of the best outcomes has been employee satisfaction and that onboarding new employees is now a much faster process. Read their full story and watch a video from their VP of Ops here.

What Processes Are You Still Doing Manually?

There are so many benefits to process automation that make the investment worthwhile. SharpQuest understands manufacturing workflows and how to automate them efficiently—and that experience means less time and money spent to make it happen. Check out some of our manufacturing projects and watch videos from our satisfied clients here. You can also contact us to schedule a consultation with our Manufacturing Project Lead here. We get it, there is never time to automate. We promise it can happen with little to no disruption and that it will be worth the investment.