**United Kingdom**: Progressive Technology, a key player in Formula 1 manufacturing, is revolutionising its operations through digital solutions, including the adoption of Epicor ERP. This transformation is enhancing efficiency and quality, positioning the company for continued growth in diverse sectors like aerospace and medical.
In a significant transformation of technology within the manufacturing sector, Progressive Technology, an established manufacturer and supplier to Formula 1, has successfully harnessed digital solutions to enhance its operations. Based in the United Kingdom and founded in 1977, the company has built a strong reputation for producing precision components critical to motorsport and has expanded its reach to industries such as aerospace, space, defence, and medical.
Progressive Technology operates in a highly demanding environment, where teams in Formula 1 strive for marginal performance improvements within the stringent regulations set by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). Each Formula 1 car consists of over 14,000 precision components, necessitating top-quality outputs within tight timeframes. As noted by Alex Ridge, ERP Developer at Progressive Technology, the company invests substantially in new technologies to continually enhance its service to customers, reflecting its commitment to being a leader in the sector.
The shift towards digital transformation was significantly influenced in 2015, when Progressive Technology was introduced to Epicor, an advanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, through an established client. This recommendation highlighted the ERP’s potential to streamline internal processes and enhance customer relationships, prompting Progressive Technology’s senior management to adopt Epicor as a key operational tool.
The integration of Epicor Kinetic has swiftly yielded improvements in operational efficiency by ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, thus allowing management to monitor workshop outputs with reduced physical oversight. Ridge described this change as a drastic enhancement, stating, “The transformation of having someone running around the shop floor…was a quantum leap in efficiency improvement.”
This digital adoption has enabled Progressive Technology to enhance its data-sharing capabilities with clients, facilitating quicker responses to inquiries and operational adjustments. For example, an improvement in data connectivity has allowed a client to transform their manual processes into an automated system, significantly improving operational efficiency.
Progressive Technology operates under the constant pressure of supply chain dynamics and aggressive production schedules, demanding a flexible approach. Ridge explained that Epicor Kinetic facilitates a comprehensive inter-departmental workflow supported by real-time data, enabling the company to conduct in-depth analyses essential for informed decision-making. He noted that insights gained from this data have influenced investments in integrating various production functions, which have led to notable improvements in lead times and quality control.
The integration of additive manufacturing, particularly metal 3D printing, has also played a pivotal role in Progressive Technology’s operational strategy. They pioneered the commercial printing of magnesium components in the UK, which not only reduces fuel consumption in the aerospace sector but aligns with the company’s sustainability objectives. Additionally, the company is working on improving powder recycling processes through collaboration with other industry leaders.
Ridge emphasised the differentiation offered by Epicor’s flexibility, noting that the system’s adaptability allows for custom processes to meet specific internal or client requirements, which is crucial in a dynamic industry landscape. Since the implementation of the ERP solution, Progressive Technology has experienced significant growth, expanding from 80 to over 240 employees and increasing annual revenue from approximately £8 million to £25 million between 2016 and today.
As Progressive Technology continues to leverage advanced manufacturing technologies and smart factory innovations, Ridge expressed enthusiasm for the future, stating, “I’m quite excited about where we are going together, and what the future holds.”
The advancements made by Progressive Technology exemplify the impact of digital transformation in enabling manufacturers to meet the evolving demands of high-stakes industries such as motorsport and aerospace, while also positioning themselves for sustained growth and innovation.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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