Sheffield Insulations Group (SIG) is a leading distributor of specialist building products in Europe, specifically in the product areas of insulation and interiors, roofing and exteriors, and air handling. As such, the company plays an integral role in the construction supply chain — ensuring that customers receive the right product, in the right place, and at the right time.

Against the backdrop of challenging trading conditions, SIG was focused on initiatives to improve cash generation. SIG recognized the potential gains from transforming their systems to receive electronic orders, but they didn’t want to implement any new technologies without demonstrable proof that they would improve processes and provide greater value to both the company and their customers.

With a hugely fragmented buyer market, they needed to explore solutions that would connect their supply chain and dramatically improve their customer relations.

20-30%	585	Improved
reduction in time spent  on branch sales activities	branches integrated	access to information

As a supplier of specialist products across several countries, SIG plays a crucial role in the building products supply chain by ensuring that contractors can obtain products in rapid time-frames to meet the demands of a fast-moving construction site.

The first step of Asite’s engagement with SIG was to undertake a detailed analysis of the company’s processes from receiving orders and handling invoices. The result of this review confirmed that Asite’s Supply Chain Management solution could be implemented to receive electronic orders with minimal disruption.

To generate the evidence needed to support the integration of a new system, they conducted a pilot study; this entailed using an Asite hosted supply order application to receive the orders from one of their regular customers — Fireclad.

A Fireclad specific catalog was created from the SIG order management system and hosted by Asite on their behalf. This electronic Supplier Catalog Management solution allowed Fireclad to raise purchase orders on Asite, SIG could then access these orders. Furthermore, Fireclad could check order statuses and access updates via the Asite portal.

SIG saw a 20-30% reduction in time spent on branch sales activity, specifically taking orders and order queries. The Supply Chain Management solution also saw SIG make saving in routine sales through direct order integration into SIG’s back office ‘distribution’ system.

Asite’s solution provided a centralized model where all information regarding an order could be accessed — all parties receive relevant notifications when an order had been accepted, approved, and delivered. Additionally, choosing products from a pre-populated catalog, rather than placing orders over the phone, significantly reduced errors.

Over 54,000 companies use Asite to help them build better.