Software Helps TriStar Strengthen Position With Saint-Gobain

TriStar Plastics Corp. recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation. TriStar becomes the exclusive master distributor for the Saint-Gobain Rulon® bearing line in Canada and the entire U.S., with the exception of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Iowa.

According to TriStar CEO Richard Cedrone, the exclusive accord was earned on past performance, as well as several other factors, including the establishment of a new TriStar sales and distribution office in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The office had to be set-up quickly but Cedrone was confident because he knew his SYSPRO software was highly scalable and that it would enable him to easily add new users in less than one day. Also, he felt the userfriendliness of the software would enable new hires to become proficient very quickly.

TriStar had been using a “home grown” computer system to handle inventory tracking as well as accounting, manufacturing and distribution. They also made yield calculations from full plastic sheets manually and more often than not never returned scraps to inventory.

In late 1999, it was apparent that their software system had become inefficient and inadequate. It could no longer handle a growing and increasingly complex operation that involves a fabrication facility, composite bearing manufacturing, inventory tracking, yield calculations and the return of remnants to stock. TriStar retained a consultant to investigate and recommend a more suitable ERP software solution. SYSPRO ERP software was one of the recommendations and was ultimately TriStar’s choice. While TriStar began to see immediate returns from the new SYSPRO software, it did not solve the company’s problem with its cut-shape operation. SYSPRO answered that need with their Material Yield System module which now enables TriStar to maximize productivity, minimize waste and return remnants to stock.

“Our return on investment on SYSPRO software is phenomenal, Cedrone said. “We’re handling 30% more business with the same number of people. And, there’s every reason to believe that we can handle new business with the same high levels of efficiency, thanks to the integrated and scalable nature of our SYSPRO solution.”

For more information, contact Stan Goodrich, SYSPRO, 959 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-437-1000, Fax: 714-437-1407, E-mail: stanley. goodrich@us.syspro.com, Web: www.syspro.com.