Timber Merchants
Customer: Barlow’s Woodyard
What we did: Implemented K8
Site link: www.barlowswoodyard.co.uk
Challenge
Barlow’s Woodyard specialises in supplying high quality timber products. Its branches in Newbury and Witney stock a huge range of fencing, gates, decking and garden features, many of which are machined or manufactured in the company’s own workshops.
Martha Barlow, an ancestor of the current owner, Peter Barlow, established the company in 1867. “Most of our business is repeat business or comes from customer referrals,” said Peter. “We focus on quality and our products are built to last.”
Until 2008, the company used a basic accounting package but, as the business grew, it became essential to control stock more accurately and, in particular, for the sales team at one branch to see what stock was held at the other. “We looked at several systems,” Peter remembered, “and were impressed by the quality of the KCS sales person as well as the functionality of the system. He took the time to answer all our questions and showed us everything we needed to know. Together the price, the product and the sales pitch nailed it!
“The immediate benefits we saw were at the trade counter. It’s a far better environment for our customers now and it has made life easier for us. We can instantly tell customers if what they want is in stock and the way K8 handles inter-branch transfers is brilliant – we simply process the sale and let the customer know when he can expect the stock to come in.”
Gains and benefits
- Full visibility of stock held across both branches
- Enhanced customer service at the trade counter
- Seamless processing of inter- branch transfers and specials
- Highly accurate sales forecasting
- Tighter margin control
- All the team can now price up works orders
- Quick and easy import of supplier price lists
- Real time overview of business performance at any time
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The main benefit of using K8 is that I always know where we are – all the business information I need is at my fingertips. I really can’t fault it.
- Peter Barlow, Managing Director, Barlow’s Woodyard
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