Many “Make to Order” (MTO) companies like Aerospace and Defense contractors, contract manufacturers, and job shops often do not realize all of the benefits that their MRP/ERP systems can afford. These companies spend a great deal of their time and energy managing past due backlogs, excess raw material and WIP inventories, shortages, and unhappy, frustrated customers and suppliers.

Even though they have an MRP system, they use manual systems for planning and controlling production, and “hot lists” to control priorities and promise orders. And, they totally ignore capacity planning at any level. Managers in these companies, don’t trust the system and therefore encourage the use of manual systems and workarounds. The MRP system is used merely to launch and expedite orders. Top management sees ERP as a financial management system and does not use it to manage the company or make critical decisions regarding the use of resources, new product introductions, and long range business planning. 

Your speaker Jim Strong, has had years of experience operating day-to-day operations with hot lists and expediting. On the other hand, Jim has been fortunate enough to work with companies who understood how to use their system as a tool for managing and controlling priorities and capacity, across the entire company.   

In his presentation Jim will identify root causes and risks of operating MRP/ERP systems informally without the involvement, support and understanding of top management before, during, and after implementation. 

If you are having trouble making MRP work in a Make to Order environment, please come and enjoy an evening with us and share your experiences and ideas on how to make your MRP/ERP system work for you. 

About the speaker

Jim Strong, CPIM, CSCP, APICS Master Instructor

Jim Strong, is a consultant and trainer with over 30 years management and consulting experience. Jim has a wealth of knowledge and experience with implementing MRP/ERP systems in a variety of manufacturing environments including: aerospace, pharmaceuticals, plastic and rubber molding, and metal fabrication and machining industries. He held key positions in these companies as Supply Chain Manager, Materials Manager, and Director of Purchasing and was a senior associate with a Big 5 consulting firm.  

Jim is a member of The ACA Group, a Southern California based consulting alliance. The ACA Group provides its clients with consulting services for ERP systems, Lean Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Training. 

Jim is a long time member of APICS, currently serving as VP, Membership for the San Fernando Valley Chapter, and is a past president of APICS Ventura County. Jim is certified as CPIM and CSCP, and is an APICS Master instructor. He teaches APICS courses and at local colleges and universities, and is a speaker at professional society events and seminars. Jim holds a MS degree in Systems Management from West Coast University, LA, and a BBA from Texas Christian