Builders’ Merchants Group E.A. Smith Improves Its Store Forecasting and Replenishment with RELEX Solutions

E.A. Smith, which operates construction supplies stores under both its own name and the Bygger’n brand in Norway, is partnering with RELEX Solutions to optimize its supply chain. The group is looking to sharpen its forecasting and replenishment processes while also improving its supply chain transparency through better forecast-sharing with its suppliers and partners.

The new system will support 45 Bygger’n stores as well as 12 Smith Stål outlets across Norway. By more efficient planning, the group hopes to raise availability, cut inventory and help its employees to work more efficiently.

Prior to choosing RELEX, the group had been using M3 for forecasting and replenishment. Even though the ERP software functioned excellent for its purpose, E.A. Smith and its customer needed a system specialized in the field of retail planning. The company wanted a system that was quick and easy to use so its staff members could spend more time on value adding activities such as customer support.

“The system itself is impressive, but equally the support we receive from our local RELEX-experts makes us even more confident that we’ve made the right choice.”

“RELEX quickly showed itself to be the right solution for us,” says Anthony Leroyer, Category Manager at E.A. Smith. “The system itself is impressive, but equally the support we receive from our local RELEX-experts makes us even more confident that we’ve made the right choice.”

“With RELEX we can reach our goals of reducing inventory levels and increasing inventory turnover,” Leroyer says. “Because the software is so user-friendly, our colleagues will be able to spend less time on replenishment related tasks and more time with our customers – adding value for both our customers as well as our staff.”

The project started in August 2019 and the new system is expected to be fully rolled out by the end of December.

Mikko Hartikainen, Senior Solution Consultant at RELEX Solutions, has been impressed with how the project has been progressing. “E.A. Smith is a one of those customers that is simply a pleasure to work with,” he says. “From day one they have demonstrated great change management skills and commitment in developing their retail processes. The chemistry between our teams has been great and we’re excited to be working as a single unit to make sure that E.A. Smith gets the results that has been set.”

About E.A. Smith
E.A. Smith AS (EAS) is one of Norway’s leading players in the sale of construction products and timber through the “Bygger’n” chain and, additionally, steel, reinforcement, and metals through “Smith Stål.” Established in Trondheim in 1869, EAS now has 60 locations throughout Norway, operated by over 570 talented and committed employees, with a turnover of approximately NOK 3.2 billion.

More information: www.smith.no