For contract manufacturers
Orders, plans and materials that stay in step
In made-to-order work, customers revise quantities and dates, materials arrive late and the plan changes daily. We help small and contract manufacturers keep orders, production plans and materials connected, so the shop floor always works from the latest version.
In short
Propel helps small and contract manufacturers connect the office and the shop floor. Order changes carry through to the production plan, planners can see materials and stock, and the floor has a current view of what to make next. Customers can get updates without anyone having to go and find out.
Sound familiar?
Moments that eat into the day
Examples rather than a diagnosis. Every business runs differently, which is why we start by looking at how yours works.
A customer changes the quantity
Sales has the new number. The plan and the materials order don’t, yet.
What could help: Order changes that update the plan and flag the materials affected.
The floor is working to yesterday’s schedule
The printed plan was right when it was printed.
What could help: A current list of what to make next, on a screen or a printout that’s always up to date.
“Is that material in stock?”
Someone walks over to look, or rings the supplier.
What could help: Stock and materials recorded where planners can see them.
Customers chase for delivery dates
Every enquiry means checking the plan, the floor and dispatch.
What could help: Order status that’s easy to check, with updates customers can receive automatically.
Where we’d usually start
How we help contract manufacturers
We always start with how your work actually runs. These are the areas that most often make the biggest difference.
- Orders and production planningOrder changes that carry through to the plan, materials and the shop floor.
- Connecting your business softwareQuoting, jobs, CRM and accounts passing details to each other, so nobody re-keys them.
- Internal tools and custom softwareA small, focused tool built around how you work, when off-the-shelf software doesn’t fit.
How it works
Understand first, then do the work
We talk
A 30-minute call about how your operation works and what you’d like to be easier.
We look at how the work runs
We spend time with you and the people doing the work, and look at the tools, sheets and messages you use day to day.
We agree what to change
We suggest what would help most, in plain terms, with what’s involved and what it would cost, before anything starts.
We put it in place
We set things up, connect and build what’s needed, show your team how it works and adjust it once it’s in daily use.
We’re too small for an ERP system. Can you still help?
Yes. Most small manufacturers don’t need a full ERP. Connecting the tools you already use, or a focused planning tool, is often enough to keep orders and production in step.
Can you work alongside our existing systems?
Usually. We check what your order, stock and accounts systems support, and connect them where we can, so orders aren’t re-keyed.
Can you help with traceability and batch records?
Where your work needs it, we can set up records that capture batch, material and job details as work progresses, so they’re easy to find later.
Making things to order? Let’s talk.
Book a 30-minute introductory call. Bring an example of something that takes more effort than it should, or just tell us how a normal week goes.