IFS Applications Puts Holland Co. On The Right Track For Success
Holland Co. is a pioneer in the railway supply industry for freight car components. The Crete, Illinois-based company is also the world leader in the market for electric flash-butt welding systems and track testing using efficient road rail vehicles. Holland's range of welding expertise includes rail welding plants throughout North America, Porta Plant movable welding plants, and the in-track MobileWelder that travels by rail or highway.
TrackSTAR, a unit designed to analyze track strength, geometry, and rail profile, was introduced in 1995 and is currently used by Class 1 railroads, short lines, and mining operations.
Holland's freight car component division, the Transportation Technology Group (HoTT), provides diverse products, including the Hollube line of freight car wear-resistant products; Automatic Twist-Locks, which secure loads for container shipments; Holland's Load Snugger, an engineered strap system for coil and paper shipments that protects loads from damage; door edge protection for automobiles carried in auto rack cars; and composite materials for tank and intermodal cars.
The Challenge
Looking for ways to improve efficiency and profitability, Holland Co. hired a consultant to perform a top-to-bottom assessment of the business. The consultant's findings made it clear that an integrated business solution should be a part of Holland's strategic plans.
"The report listed 14 points for improvement," said Jim Tieri, Holland Co.'s IT Director. "And of those, nine had to do with the lack of an integrated ERP system."
Holland first considered upgrading its legacy systems but quickly realized that its existing software could not provide the integrated solution that it needed.