Stoughton Trailers
Leaders in conventional and intermodal transportation equipment manufacturing.
The Challenge
To exceed increasing customer demands, the Stoughton Executive Team realized a new integrated ERP solution was necessary.
The legacy “green screen” AS400 system had been highly customized over many years and was unable to integrate with modern eCommerce capabilities.
Hundreds of spreadsheets were being used to slice-and-dice data which slowed decision making due to data integrity concerns and multiple versions of the truth.
Focus on Business Value
Bob Wahlen, President of Stoughton Trailers is a prominent business leader in the community and is a 2nd generation family owner of the company. “Ultra understands the challenges of running a manufacturing business. Their persistent focus on our business value remains a cornerstone to our long standing partnership.”
Reflecting on the earlier activities of the project, Bob recalls, “Once the technology selection was complete, we felt the internal team could manage the implementation. After several months of cost overruns and a significant delay to the project, we knew we needed Ultra’s help again. Ultra’s experience with ERP and their ability to drive resolution of issues, identify and mitigate the risks, and most importantly leverage their relationship with our chosen ERP vendor was key to getting our project back on the road to success.”
“Ultra understands the challenges of running a manufacturing business. Their persistent focus on our business value remains a cornerstone to our long-standing partnership.”
Benefits of Ultra Consultants
- Business Process Improvement Opportunities
- Focused on Stoughton’s Business Value
- A Business Case with Solid ROI and Payback
- Negotiation of Price and Vendor Services
About Stoughton Trailers
Located in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Stoughton Trailers started as a small family-owned business and is now one of the industry’s leaders in conventional and intermodal transportation equipment manufacturing.
Stoughton Trailers has come a long way since its founding in 1961 and today Stoughton Trailers can claim to be one of the largest trailer manufacturers in North America. With facilities spanning over one million square feet of manufacturing space spread out over 80 acres of property in three southern Wisconsin communities, it’s estimated that over 150,000 Stoughton trailers produced at these plants travel the highways of the United States and Canada every day.
In addition to manufacturing operations, Stoughton Trailers, LLC. also operates a service parts distribution network and an independent over the road trucking company.
All of Stoughton’s facilities have incorporated vertical integration wherever possible to enhance the entire manufacturing operation, providing us with the opportunity to optimize our quality assurance procedures and improve component inventory control. They also incorporate the latest process equipment for premier, long-life painting of steel components.
To meet increasing customer demands, Stoughton Trailers recognized a new, integrated ERP solution was necessary. The company needed a consultant that “understands the challenges of running a manufacturing business”.
Software selection and implementation processes often present challenges of their own. To steer you around trouble and help you drive success, Ultra’s experts compiled a list of pain points and solutions to be aware of as you embark on this journey.
