Aldridge Security, the largest wholesaler of security and locking products in the UK and Ireland, has transformed its operations by implementing Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.
The adoption of Orderwise has enabled Aldridge Security to significantly enhance productivity and efficiency, leading to notable improvements in e-commerce, customer service, and inventory management.
Aldridge Security partners with organisations such as locksmiths, architectural ironmongers, builders’ merchants, and DIY shops, offering over 25,000 different products from its branches in Birmingham and Manchester. The company is a staunch supporter of independent businesses, pledging not to supply large DIY chains, but it was also facing the challenge of meeting the evolving demands of a market that increasingly seeks faster and more efficient services.
Aldridge Security’s switch to Orderwise represented a significant turning point for the business.
“Orderwise has genuinely helped us to grow, and we’re still scratching the surface of where it can go next,” said Patrick Cook, Managing Director of Aldridge Security. “We knew we needed to be faster, more efficient, and to deliver even better customer service, and Orderwise has helped on all counts.”
Aldridge’s previous approach to customer service, particularly in handling returns, involved navigating a complex array of third-party systems. Orderwise has streamlined this into a seamless, integrated process, providing a single source of truth for the organisation’s data.
E-commerce has also made considerable strides. Previously, updating the website with product changes was a manual, time-consuming task. With Orderwise, these updates are now automated, saving three hours each day. This allows the team to focus more on delivering higher-quality customer service, resulting in a 9.5% increase in web order value and a 48% growth in the average goods received per operator rate.
Distribution and inventory management have also seen significant improvements. The old system often required employees to work beyond the 8pm cutoff, leading to logistical challenges and excessive overtime. Orderwise introduced new levels of efficiency, enabling operations to be completed within the designated hours.
The once daunting task of inventory management has now become manageable. Full visibility and control over every stock item have shifted the focus from guesswork to strategic planning.
“Aldridge Security is one of a kind, known throughout the industry as a business of integrity, and of service and product excellence,” said Jon Roberts, Director at Forterro. “It also knew that it needed to modernise, and we are delighted that it chose Forterro to do so. Orderwise is a compelling ERP solution and one that helps users with digital transformation and accelerating growth.”
Orderwise is an ERP solution that provides wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and manufacturers with a platform for growth. It is used by stock-focused businesses across the UK to automate order management, stock management, warehouse management, e-commerce, point of sale, business intelligence, transport management, financials, and more.