Stourgarden are an Importer and Distributor of onions dealing exclusively with the largest supermarket chain in the UK.

When Stourgarden contacted us they were in a very common situation amongst produce providers. They wanted a quicker and easier way to identify the quantities and location of their stock and ensure mistakes on ordering and delivering were eradicated.

Stourgarden are very happy with the system they now have in place!

• 
• 

We met with Kevin Chapman (General Manager - pictured below) and Bill Rix (Owner) and surveyed their current operations.

It was predominately a paper based system with a few excel spreadsheets to help record orders and staff hours. We all agreed that while their current systems worked they could be greatly improved with a dedicated computer system tailored around their business practises.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

We closely watched the way things were working and made suggestions on where a computer could be installed to manage or, in some circumstances, replace the current process.

Along every step of the way Stourgarden were consulted and agreed on each phase of the project we planned.

It was imperative that what was delivered to their customer was what was ordered and no mistakes were made. This could be best achieved by using a computer system that double checked the order against the product using a simple bar coding system.

• 
• 
• 
• 

When PackStar was installed we ensured that it caused minimal disruption to the existing way of working. To this end, the installation was done over several weeks, section by section.

We started by getting the orders in by EDI and recoding them into PackStar, then moving on to controlling the production lines. During the next stage we implemented the bar coding of onion bins and started to record the grading and QC results.  Finally we installed the part of the system that handled despatch and loading of lorries.

The bespoke nature of the system means that it’s grown over time. Periodically Stourgarden have requested more options with the most recent being to conform with the latest of their customers initiatives being SSCC’s and ASN’s.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

SEF Ltd are based in Cornwall, they are one of the leading producers or cauliflower, courgettes and broccoli in the UK.

SEF had a very good idea of what requirements they wanted from a system. They looked into many existing solutions within the market place but were unable to find any that would fulfil all of their needs.

Woodstar’s systems satisfied this need.

SEF like all of our other clients are delighted with the system they now have.

• 
• 

Durring our site visits with Tim Wigram (Commercial Manager) at SEFs processing plant. We closely observed their existing operational processes and discussed how using Woodstar’s systems would greatly benefit them.

• 
• 

After our initial onsite visits we suggested a structured way to move forward with the implementation. This involved step by step phases to reduce disruption whilst maximising the operational content of each phase.

Along every step of the way SEF were consulted and agreed on each phase of the project we planned.

• 
• 
• 

After installing our Harvest Manager system, SEF could see the instant benefits and the control of their business, not only from a HR perspective but as importantly from a financial control aspect.

We then continued the business flow by installing our PackStar system which uniquely links the farm to the packhouse. PackStar controls ALL of the operations required within the packhouse from Intake and Production to Despatch and Invoicing.

Due to the bespoke nature of our systems we are perpetually fulfilling requirements in today’s ever changing environment, an example of this is our new automated ASN module.

• 
• 
• 
• 
•