CCL (Computer Consultants) Limited

Linread Northbridge Redditch - Aerospace Fastener Manufacturer

Linread Northbridge is a subsidiary of the McKechnie Group located in Redditch.  Linread Northbridge is very successful and is well known in the Aerospace business as a leading manufacturer of specialised fasteners.

CCL were asked to undertake an IT Options review and advise on the selection of a replacement system.

But not just any system!  The new system had to satisfy Linread's internal requirements but also the strict requirement of its Aerospace customers - quite a challenge!

CCL followed its structured methodology with the generation of a detailed Specification of Requirements and the issue of an Invitation to Tender to potential suppliers.

From the supplier responses, a short-list of suppliers was agreed with the client and detailed demonstrations of the potential new ERP packages were undertaken.

Following comprehensive negotiations, a software supply contract was signed in April 1999 on a fixed price basis and with a target go-live date of October 1999.

The system went live a month ahead of the original schedule, under budget and the customer didn't even notice!

McKechnie - Hartwell Aerospace

Hartwell Aeropsace is a subsidiary of the McKechnie Group with manufacturing plants in Placentia and Cucamonga, California.  Hartwell are a leading manufacturer of aeroplane components (latches, hinges, etc) to the aerospace industry in the USA.

Following the acquisition of the company by McKechnie, CCL were tasked with undertaking a Review of their existing systems.  A CCL team was set up with a Projects Controller and a Managing Consultant to undertake this review on site in the USA.

The Key aspects were to examine the suitability of the systems from both an operational (IT technology) and functional perspective.

Following in depth interviews with key staff, a high level Statement of Requirements was developed during the visit as the first step in the process of exploring the software marketplace.

A detailed route map and project plan was developed to assist Hartwell in planning an IT acquisition strategy.  This established a series of key activities and tasks with assigned responsibilities.

McKechnie - Linread Northbridge Leicester

Linread Northbridge Leicester manufactures studs, bolts and tie rods, to a high specification, for the aerospace, motor sport and power generation industries.

The company was running a highly bespoke set of software that had been developed over many years, and management were questioning the system's ability to support the company's future business objectives.

CCL was asked to evaluate the various IT options, and to recommend a way forward.  This included the production of a detailed Specification of Requirements that was compared to the functionality of the ERP system used elsewhere in the group, in order to ascertain whether that package would be a viable option for Leicester in the future.

McKechnie Plasitc Components Division

The division consisted of seven autonomous business units, five in the UK and two in the United States.  CCL was asked to carry out a divisional IT audit in order to ascertain what IT was being used, and how well it supported each of the businesses.

Once the current usage of IT was understood, CCL was asked to make recommendations as to how the division might gain benefit either from economies of scale and/or better sharing of information across the division.

As a result of this work, CCL was asked to assist several of these business units in assessing their future IT requirements.

McKechnie - Paxton

Paxton designs, makes and sells material handling systems (containers) utilising either injection or rotational moulding processes.

CCL was asked to assist Paxton's Management team in developing an IT strategy that would support the company's future business objectives.  As part of this brief, CCL developed a presentation to the board that reviewed current developments in the IT industry, including new ways of doing business and what was possible using today's technology.

McKechnie - PSM Europe

PSM International is a world-wide manufacturer and supplier of fasteners.

For many years the company has operated on an integrated, world-wide basis, and several years ago it selected a major ERP system to support its global operations.

To date, the system has been installed at several locations but senior management's perception is that the system has not yielded the expected benefits.  More recently the business has changed focus and CCL has been asked to specify and select a replacement software application, more in tune with the business' current aims and objectives.

A pre-qualification exercise has been carried out and Invitation to Tenders issued to interested parties.  The short-listed suppliers have been subjected to detailed scrutiny and, at the time of going to press, PSM is poised to make a decision as to preferred supplier.

McKechnie - PSM USA

PSM is represented in the USA by three autonomous companies, all of who sell a range of fasteners to the aerospace, automotive, it and general market sectors.

One company uses a modern ERP packaged on a local server, while the other two companies are remote users of the IT system based at PSM in the UK.  Since the UK based systems was to be replaced, CCL was asked to evaluate the IT options for all three US companies, including the option for them to share the existing local ERP implementation.

The current and future detailed requirements of the three companies were compared to the functionality of the existing ERP package to determine its applicability.  Other options for the number and location of servers and support staff were also considered.

CCL has also created a detailed implementation project plan for each location.

McKechnie - Tyee Aircraft

Tyee Aircraft and its sister company Technical Airborne Components (TAC) are subsidiaries of the aerospace division of the McKechnie Group.  Tyee is based in Washington State, USA close to one of Boeing's main aircraft plants at Everett, whilst TAC suppliers the European aircraft industry from their site near Liege, Belgium.

They are manufacturers of machined steel flight control rods, structural tubes and engine braces.

Prior to their acquisition my McKechnie, the Tyee management had recognised that support for their existing systems, which had been in place for some considerable time, was dependent on a few individuals and that the technology could not support their future system aspirations and needs.  They had therefore initiated a project to seek a replacement system.

Following the acquisition, CCL were tasked with assisting in the selection process.  A CCL team was set up with a Projects Controller and a Managing Consultant to undertake this work.

A key aspect was to ensure that differences in business practices in the USA and Europe were fully understood and incorporated into the Statement of Requirements that had already been generated by Tyee's Information Systems Manager.  This involved workshops in both the USA and Belgium.  From these, a final version of the Statement of Requirements was written for incorporation into the Contract.

Based on CCL's experience with other McKechnie aerospace companies, potential alternative suppliers were introduced into the selection process.  It was agreed that detailed workshops with two selected suppliers would be undertaken by the Tyee/TAC Project Team against a pre-defined script.  This script was developed in conjunction with the client and was designed to explore identified and likely gaps in software functionality.

The key output from these workshops was a more accurate understanding by the Tyee/TAC Project Team of the strengths and weaknesses of both packages and a defined list of medications to ensure that a valid cost comparison could be made between the two suppliers.  It is also important to understand the level of modification required as this can have a direct impact on the implementation time-scales.

In parallel, contractual negotiations were commenced against defined Contractual Heads of Agreement drawn up by CCL's Legal Services department.  One of the suppliers offered considerable cost benefits and an advantage in functionality was selected for detailed negotiations, which culminated in a contract being signed.

CCL was subsequently engaged to assist the Tyee Implementation Project Manager, and they produced a detailed Project Plan that was used as a primary control document for the implementation project.

Regular reviews ensured that the implementation proceeded according to the detailed plan, and the new system went live on time and within budget.