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Stitching Together Success Seamlessly
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
Applicable Industries
- Apparel
- Consumer Goods
Applicable Functions
- Discrete Manufacturing
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Manufacturing System Automation
- Inventory Management
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- Data Science Services
The Challenge
Merrow Sewing Machine Company, a small family-owned business, has been a pioneer in the textile industry since 1838. The company invented the overlock stitch, which is still used in most garments today. However, the company faced challenges due to the high levels of complexity and costs of customization. They were continually building custom sewing machines for a variety of customers and applications, which was becoming economically challenging. Additionally, their recent innovation, ActiveSeam, a new stitch and business model, required seamless order tracking, robust reporting, and tight inventory control. Their prior on-premise ERP systems were limiting and unwieldy, unable to support their growth and innovation.
About The Customer
Merrow Sewing Machine Company is a small, family-owned business based in Fall River, Massachusetts. The company has a rich history dating back to 1838 when it began as Merrow Mills, the country's first manufacturer of knitted cotton goods. A few years later, the company invented the overlock stitch and the sewing machines to mass produce it. This stitch is still used in most of the garments we wear in the 21st century. Today, Merrow is run by the sixth generation of Merrows, CEO Charlie Merrow and his brother Owen. The company manufactures thousands of different sewing machine parts that are distributed in 65 countries. They also build custom sewing machines for a variety of customers and applications.
The Solution
Merrow Sewing Machine Company partnered with Kenandy for all its ERP needs. Kenandy's cloud-based ERP system provided the necessary functionality for Merrow to manage its innovative business model for ActiveSeam. The system allowed for seamless order tracking, robust reporting, and tight inventory control. Kenandy's system also allowed Merrow to customize the system themselves without the need for programmers. This enabled Merrow to see their data more clearly and react quickly to changes. The success with Kenandy has been a significant factor in Merrow's decision to invest in other business opportunities under the Merrow Global banner, such as HydeStore.com, Boston Thread, and Patch Light. Kenandy's system allowed Merrow to leverage information and resources seamlessly, enabling the company to grow and prosper.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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