Case Study: Industrial cleaning equipment manufacturer sees ‘huge improvements’ after implementing ERP software

After a disastrous experience with its first software choice, Arcus Cleaning Systems found the perfect solution for managing its operations. “MRPeasy has been brilliant for us,” says Ryan Brogan, Director.

Industrial cleaning solutions for niche markets

Arcus Cleaning Systems is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial cleaning equipment, based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Established in 2019 by brothers Ryan and Conor Brogan, the company focuses on creating tailored solutions for industries with specific cleaning needs. Their portfolio includes tank and container cleaning systems designed to handle anything from 25-litre drums to 1,000-litre intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).

In the early years, the brothers relied on manual systems to manage the operation. Excel spreadsheets were used to track BOMs and inventory levels while flagged emails served as a makeshift procurement system. However, as the company expanded, these manual processes became cumbersome and prone to errors. “We knew from the start that we wanted an MRP system,” Ryan shares. “But finding one that suited our company size and budget was a challenge.”

Disastrous experience with the wrong system

Arcus first implemented a system renowned for its simplicity and affordability, but it fell short in key areas. “Its functionality was too rigid,” Ryan recalls. “We assumed it would adapt to our operations, but it was quite the opposite.”

The tipping point came when a stock system update wiped out months of data, leaving the team frustrated and without recourse. “We spent weeks trying to recover the information,” Ryan says. “It was a costly and stressful experience.”

Finding the right solution

After the debacle, Ryan and his team found an alternative: MRPeasy. The software’s positive reviews and modular design convinced them to try it. “MRPeasy stood out because it was scalable and straightforward,” Ryan notes. “It had all the core functionalities we needed without the unnecessary complexity of larger systems.”

The implementation process, which included data migration, SOP development, and staff training, took five to six months. Despite balancing the setup with day-to-day operations, the team found the process straightforward. “Compared to our previous experience, MRPeasy was night and day,” Ryan remarks. “The support team was responsive and genuinely helpful. Every issue we raised was resolved quickly and accurately.”

Huge improvements in purchasing and inventory tracking

Since adopting MRPeasy, the company has seen dramatic improvements across multiple areas of their business. “Our purchasing is completely transformed,” Ryan explains. “We no longer rely on flagged emails or manual updates. Requirements come up at the right time based on supplier lead times, and we can create purchase orders directly from those requirements. We review pending POs each week, check if deliveries have arrived on time, and follow up with suppliers if needed. It’s a huge improvement.”

MRPeasy has also eliminated the reliance on spreadsheets for inventory tracking. The system’s real-time updates ensure that stock levels are always accurate and aging stock is identified and prioritized for sales. “It’s easy to manage FIFO stock rotation now, ensuring we use the oldest inventory first,” Ryan says.

Software has given the company confidence

From a wider perspective, the system provides Arcus with comprehensive insights into their operations, from project profitability to lead time accuracy. “We can track every project stage, see our profit per project, identify delays, and adjust processes as needed. The ability to track profitability has been especially important, allowing us to make incremental improvements and increase margins,” Ryan explains.

According to Ryan, MRPeasy has given their team confidence in their processes: “It’s streamlined everything from purchasing to production, allowing us to focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.”