From Spreadsheets to Solutions: Trim-Tex’s Journey to Optimized Inventory

Manual processes slowing down Trim-Tex’s efficiency

Before investing in Netstock, Trim-Tex managed its inventory through a combination of custom reports in Sage 100 and manual spreadsheets. The company had approximately 200 finished SKUs and over 1,000 raw material SKUs to manage. This process was inefficient, leading to stock-outs and increased complexity as the business grew. The manual process also created frustrations in production scheduling and shipping coordination.

The solution

Trim-Tex transitioned from Sage 100 to Sage X3 in December 2023, needing an advanced ERP to support its growth and modernize operations. Netstock was introduced as a solution to improve inventory management, integrate with Sage X3, and increase visibility across the business.

Implementation & transition to Netstock

Netstock played a pivotal role during the ERP transition. While Netstock did not directly handle the ERP switch, the software’s easy integration with Sage X3 allowed Trim-Tex to quickly restore historical data and continue operations smoothly. According to Trim-Tex, the company had Netstock up and running within a few days of switching ERPs. Despite some initial resistance to adopting the new tool, the user-friendly nature of Netstock soon made it indispensable to Trim-Tex’s daily operations.

Streamlining Trim-Tex’s operations for smoother builds

“Netstock’s forecasting has been a game-changer. Instead of struggling with stock-outs and reactive ordering, we now have a clear, data-driven approach to our raw material management.”

• Inventory management: Netstock’s forecasting and data-driven recommendations streamlined raw material orders and helped avoid stockouts, a common issue with the manual system.
• Production scheduling: Netstock simplified the production planning process, enabling production supervisors to schedule efficiently without relying heavily on custom reports.
• Logistics & distribution: Netstock has transformed how Trim-Tex approach logistics between Lincolnwood and Orange. They are able to skip shipments where there is no need to replenish, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
• Collaboration & decision-making: Netstock facilitated better communication between the operations, finance, and revenue teams, especially during monthly forecasting meetings where sales trends and product histories are reviewed.

Trim-Tex’s Success with Netstock

• Increased visibility: Netstock’s intuitive interface gave Trim-Tex better visibility into sales trends, helping the company make informed decisions. For instance, by examining promotional item trends, the company could identify growth opportunities and reorder products instead of discontinuing them.
• Time savings: The switch from manual spreadsheets to automated forecasting resulted in significant time savings, particularly in production scheduling and trailer coordination.
• Cost savings: By using Netstock’s excess redistribution feature, Trim-Tex avoided unnecessary shipping costs and maximized inventory utilization by better redistributing their inventory between locations.
• Return on investment: Trim-Tex noted a substantial financial benefit from using Netstock. The software helped reduce excess stock, optimize inventory distribution, and streamline operations. Additionally, the company benefited from a plug-and-play implementation that minimized the need for IT support.

“We’ve seen a tangible return on investment with Netstock. Reducing excess stock, minimizing shipping costs, and saving time on production planning all contribute to our bottom line.”

Embracing the future with Netstock

Trim-Tex continues to explore additional Netstock features like the executive dashboard and report builder to further enhance visibility and decision-making. The company remains committed to using Netstock to stay agile in managing its supply chain, particularly in adapting to fluctuating lead times for raw materials, some of which can range from one week to six months.