In the world of manufacturing, efficiency, organization, and seamless workflows are the keys to success. For BTM Industries, a third-generation family-owned machine shop in Woodstock, Illinois, the journey to finding the right ERP system was a transformative one. In this article, we explore the ERP transformation that BTM Industries experienced as a result of switching to ProShop ERP.
In our recent webinar, Same Team, Same Machines—More Profit: How One Shop Increased Revenue by 30%, Kyra Tillman, the owner of BTM Industries, shared her experience with ProSho. Her story is a testament to how the right tools can revolutionize a business, improve cash flow, streamline operations, and even make audits a breeze.
From Index Cards to Digital ERP Transformation
BTM Industries, founded in 1963, had been using a manual system of index cards and paper job travelers to manage their shop floor operations. When Kyra returned to the family business in 2013, she was determined to modernize their processes. In 2014, they implemented their first ERP system, but it came with its own set of challenges. Purchasing materials was still a cumbersome process, and the paper-based system created bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
“We had paper travelers that literally had to physically flow from one person to the next,” Kyra explained. “It created a mountain of travelers that would end up on my desk for purchasing. I would end up ordering all the materials right away, even if the job wasn’t due for months, just because I didn’t want them to get lost in the process.”
This approach led to cash flow issues, as materials were often purchased well in advance, tying up capital and taking up valuable space in their facility. The need for a better solution was clear.
Enter ProShop: A Game-Changer for BTM Industries
When BTM Industries implemented ProShop, the impact was immediate and profound. One of the most significant improvements was in cash flow management. With ProShop’s purchasing dashboard, Kyra could see in real-time which jobs needed materials and when they were due. This allowed her to prioritize purchases and avoid tying up cash in unnecessary inventory.
“Now the purchasing dashboard is my best friend,” Kyra said. “I can see in real-time what jobs need material ordered and when they’re due. I can prioritize and avoid purchasing material for jobs that aren’t due for months. It’s been such a savings for us.”
Scheduling and On-Time Delivery: A New Era of Efficiency
Before ProShop, BTM Industries relied on an Excel spreadsheet for shop floor scheduling, which was only updated once a day. In a fast-paced machine shop, where information changes by the minute, this system was far from ideal. With ProShop, the entire team now has access to real-time scheduling information, whether they prefer Gantt charts, open order queries, or other views.
“Now with ProShop, we can see the schedule in whatever view we want,” Kyra explained. “We’re all seeing the same information, and we can get things out of here faster.”
The improvements in scheduling and workflow efficiency have not gone unnoticed by BTM’s customers.
Since implementing ProShop, Kyra has received feedback from customers who have noticed faster turnaround times and have even increased their orders as a result.
Capturing Tribal Knowledge: A Lifesaver for Job Shops
One of the biggest challenges in any manufacturing environment is capturing and retaining tribal knowledge—the expertise and know-how that employees accumulate over years of experience. For BTM Industries, ProShop has become the repository for this critical information.
“With ProShop, we have a place to put all of that information,” Kyra said. “We can have pictures of the setup, written descriptions, tools, and even special fixtures linked to the part. It’s all there, and we don’t have to recreate it every time.”
This has not only improved efficiency but also reduced errors and setup times. When a part comes through the shop, the team knows exactly how to set it up, what tools to use, and where to find everything they need.
The Transition of Going Paperless: A Smooth ERP Transformation
Transitioning from a paper-based system to a digital one can be daunting, but for BTM Industries, the move to ProShop was surprisingly smooth. Initially, there was some apprehension among the team about giving up their paper travelers, but within a week, everyone was on board with a paperless integration.
“Within the first week of digital travelers being out on the shop floor, the same people who said, ‘Don’t take away my paper,’ were asking, ‘Can you just put all this into ProShop?’” Kyra recalled. “It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.”
The benefits of going paperless were immediately apparent. Travelers no longer got lost, coffee-stained, or ripped. The ERP transformation to ProShop means that changes to drawings or work orders could be made instantly, without the need to chase down physical documents.
Audits Made Easy
For ISO-certified shops like BTM Industries, audits can be a stressful and time-consuming process. But with ProShop, Kyra found that preparing for audits became much simpler.
“We just had our reassessment audit last year, and the auditor sat down in my office and said, ‘Oh, thank God you use ProShop. This is going to be easy,’” Kyra shared. “Everything is readily accessible, and we had no findings. It was a great audit.”
In the past, Kyra would spend weeks preparing for audits, going through paper files to ensure everything was in order. With ProShop, that preparation time has been drastically reduced, freeing up valuable time to focus on other aspects of the business.
ERP Transformation: A Bright Future with ProShop
For BTM Industries, ProShop has been more than just an ERP system—it’s been a catalyst for growth and efficiency. The improvements in cash flow, scheduling, workflow efficiency, and knowledge management have had a ripple effect throughout the entire company. Kyra and her team are now able to focus on strategic planning and continuous improvement, rather than getting bogged down in the day-to-day challenges of running a machine shop.
“It’s amazing,” Kyra said. “It’s making a difference and helping us, helping the makers of the world.”
For any job shop looking to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and love their ERP system, BTM Industries’ journey with ProShop is a shining example of what’s possible. With the right tools and a commitment to continuous improvement, the future is bright for manufacturers everywhere.
If you’re interested in learning more about how ProShop can transform your shop, watch the full webinar or reach out to us for a demo. Let’s make your shop more efficient, organized, and ready for the future.
