Elmer Candy
Elmer Candy
About Elmer Candy
Elmer Candy Corporation is one of the most successful chocolatiers in the United States. Its sweet confections, primarily boxed chocolates, are sold at retailers across the country, including Walmart, Costco, Kroger and Target.
The majority of Elmer Candy’s sales occur during the Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Christmas holidays. In order to adequately meet the demand of each season, Elmer Candy must accurately forecast sales, ensure adequate supplies of raw ingredients, and then efficiently craft, package and distribute its goods. Miscalculations and inefficiencies are costly, and to avoid them Elmer Candy chooses to invest in its technology infrastructure.
Key Results
Full return on investment in just one season
Comprehensive lot tracking capabilities
Real-time data facilitates rapid decision making
Main functionalities
NexTec implemented a full suite of tightly integrated business management solutions, including: Sage X3 financial, distribution, and manufacturing suites; Sage HRMS; Cyber Recruiter; Insperity TimeStar™; Sage Payment Solutions; True Commerce EDI; Solver BI360; and a complete RFID system.
“Think of Elmer Candy as the homeowner, and of NexTec as our general contractor—they locate the best-of-breed solutions, coordinate their implementation, and ensure they meet our business objectives,” explains Wiley. “Throughout the process, they’ve listened to us, and responded to our concerns.”
Inventory accuracy, order allocation, production tracking, and efficiency are four areas where Elmer Candy is seeing significant improvements. “We’ve gone from a centralized to a decentralized model of data collection,” Wiley explains. “Before, everything was written down and passed up the chain to be entered into the software. Now, we have an RFID network throughout the facility, so we capture data at the source. Not only is that more accurate, but it gives us real-time data for rapid decision making.”
Lot tracking, an essential function in the food manufacturing industry, is another area benefiting from technology. It is now possible for Elmer Candy to generate a complete lot traceability report in a matter of seconds. “We can quickly and easily trace raw ingredients from initial receipt through final sale,” says Wiley.
“The entire system will pay for itself within one season,” says Wiley. “The savings are visible and measurable. Through labor savings, quicker turnaround, improved accuracy, strategic purchasing, and streamlined processes, we are in a position to grow the business 10 to 15 percent without adding additional resources.”
While Elmer Candy is already realizing significant benefits of its modern ERP solution, Wiley insists that the best is yet to come. “We are positioned to fully transform our business, and NexTec Group is leading the way. We have additional initiatives in the works that we are confident will allow us to continue to grow and improve while remaining lean and efficient.”
He concludes, “Selecting an ERP solution and a partner is a bit like a courtship and marriage—you have to be careful to pick a partner that you like to dance with. You look for a partner who will stick with you through good times and bad. We have found that in Sage X3 and NexTec.”
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