Flexible packaging supplier Kendall Packaging, Mequon, WI, has added the PECAS Vision enterprise resource planning (ERP) package from Radius Solutions Ltd. to operations across all of its facilities. Serving a variety of consumer product manufacturers, Kendall custom-produces barrier pouch and package structures, rollstock, premade bags and striped-metallized film at facilities in Jefferson, WI, and Pittsburg, KS.

Positioned to meet nationwide distribution, Kendall serves customers in personal care, confectionery, baking, cheese and pasta market sectors. Providing quality packaging and exceptional service at competitive prices is its credo. Thus, Kendall consistently invests in technology that can help generate the latest packaging capabilities with shorter leadtimes, prime printing quality and on-time delivery to customers.

Recently, management saw the chance to replace an outdated management information system (MIS) with new software and underwent a rigorous five-month evaluation process. Kendall considered 10 companies before selecting six for product demonstrations. Two finalists were chosen for visits before the company decided on vision suites from Radius Solutions.

“We were very comfortable with Radius Solutions,” says Mike Sallmann, Kendall's CFO. “We felt they understood our business, had a very detailed implementation plan and were a sizeable and financially sound organization. We were also confident that their vision system would fit our needs right out of the box.”

Kendall is implementing Radius' entire PECAS vision suite, which comprises estimating, order management, scheduling, costing, production management, production-floor data collection, customer relationship management, materials movement, quality management and reporting.

Enhancing customer service

Kendall says the new system should generate a fast return on the investment through “the marriage of disparate systems,” which will eliminate manual record keeping and eliminate the need for maintaining separate spreadsheets and databases.

The new system will also enable Kendall to quickly compare cost estimates against actual costs. “The PECAS Vision system will help us enhance customer service and improve estimating and scheduling processes,” Sallmann says. “In short, it will provide the foundation for significant business growth, without the need to increase the staff.”