XL Specialized Trailers Partners With Aptean to Maximize Shop Floor Operations

Moving the things that build and sustain the world—that’s how XL Specialized Trailers describes its business of manufacturing precisely-customized products for its customers. With over 100 years of heavy haul design experience, the Iowa-based company serves customers in construction, commercial, agricultural, wind energy, infrastructure and custom transportation markets as well as oil and gas.

In addition to customizing and designing heavy haul and specialty trailers, XL’s complex operations involve maintaining an inventory of a wide range of parts for immediate shipment. The company is also known for offering expert maintenance and repair services for clients.

XL excels in tailoring heavy haul trailers with the support of industry-specific enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. Aptean’s discrete manufacturing ERP streamlines processes by managing complex bills of materials (BOMs) and ensuring real-time inventory visibility. This enables XL to optimize production planning, maintain lean inventory levels and ensure the availability of the right parts for customization. To further streamline its complex operations, XL recently integrated Aptean’s customer relationship management (CRM) software, complementing its robust ERP.

In his role as director of IT for XL Specialized Trailers, Rick Zoerner shares his experience on how an industry-specific ERP supports the company’s operations and discusses the partnership XL has with Aptean.

Inventory-Centric Software That Fits XL’s Specific Needs

Traditional, finance-focused ERPs often lack the functionalities required for complex manufacturing operations, such as those at XL. These limitations can hinder efficient management of BOMs and real-time inventory tracking across various production stages. Discrete manufacturing ERP, however, is designed to address these specific needs.

By providing functionalities such as BOM management, production planning, scheduling and robust inventory control, a discrete manufacturing ERP equips XL with the tools to optimize its trailer customization processes, increasing on-time delivery and potentially reducing production costs.

This emphasis on discrete manufacturing processes renders an industry-specific ERP a superior choice for XL compared to a general ledger (GL) centered solution.

“I believe one of the keys to success with Aptean ERP is the product itself. It was one of the early ones in honesty to become inventory-centric rather than GL-centric. And it’s grasping that concept that makes the difference between success and failure - which is more common now, lots of ERPs are getting there. It was one of the very first that focused everything around the movement of inventory.”

“If you want to be successful… you have to start thinking in terms of your inventory and inventory movement. They’re what matter.” Zoerner said.

Aptean’s Discrete Manufacturing ERP Improve XL’s Shop Floor Operations

Implementing Aptean’s discrete manufacturing ERP has elevated XL’s shop floor operations. XL only manufactures small batches, or even single units of a product that could be customized, which often leads to changes in manufacturing processes. As such, Zoerner identified scheduling and inventory management as some of the major concerns of the company’s complex production environment.

Aptean's ERP for discrete manufacturers has dynamic scheduling functionality that allows XL to build easily modified production schedules which help team members to keep up with changing customer demand. Additionally, the software automates material planning and purchase order creation with full perpetual inventory and lot tracking.

“Low volume, high variability is something that most ERP systems struggle with,” Zoerner said. “I’m a fan of the Aptean ERP system and the advanced scheduling and planning because of the way it allows me to use additional constraints, because of the way it allows me to create scenarios that can accommodate the concept of high-variability and low-volume,” he continued.

Zoerner also said that Aptean solutions allows XL to learn more about its operations. “When using the ERP product, you discover areas where you may have procedurally cut corners or overlooked something previously unimportant,” he explained.

How Aptean Solutions Support XL’s Business

The implementation of Aptean solutions has significantly bolstered XL in areas where internal expertise may have been lacking. The solutions excel in managing backend business operations, allowing the company to concentrate on its expertise—building customized trailers.

Zoerner underscores the manner in which Aptean solutions enhance business management, resulting in operational enhancements and significant benefits. This strategic use of Aptean’s software supports XL in optimizing business functions, ultimately driving better performance and efficiency across the organization.

Moreover, XL’s experience with Aptean’s customer success team has been notably positive. Zoerner highlighted the professionalism and exceptional support Aptean has provided to the XL team.

Advice for Companies Considering Aptean ERP

Zoerner strongly recommends that discrete manufacturing companies considering Aptean solutions prioritize attending the training sessions and education summits offered by Aptean. He explained the training is essential for understanding and leveraging the full capabilities of the software, including advanced scheduling, finance, inventory management and more.

The partnership and resources that Aptean provides ensure that XL can maximize its investment in Aptean software and optimize return on investment (ROI).

“The Aptean ERP does a great job of allowing the end user to create a semi-custom environment. Whether it’s report writing, whether it’s modifying screens or inputs, whether it’s doing things with Smart Hub and the web API. Using these things, allowing you to do integrations, allowing you to create the screens that your end users need to see in order to be efficient in their job,” Zoerner explained.

Elevating Processes With Seamlessly Integrated CRM Software

Aside from the implementation of Aptean’s discrete manufacturing ERP, XL’s recent Aptean CRM integration will help streamline its operations further. The software will allow the company to increase customer satisfaction by leveraging data-driven decisions based on real-time information.

This also provides accurate sales, marketing and customer service information so all departments remain in sync and organized. Having a comprehensive customer view—including order history, activity, preferences and feedback—Aptean CRM makes it difficult for XL not to impress its clients.

Aptean Solutions Empower Discrete Manufacturers

Aptean’s cloud-based solutions empower customers to enhance operational processes and adopt industry best practices—streamlining production and scheduling, improving inventory accuracy and automating repetitive tasks. With cloud-hosted solutions, your entire staff can conveniently access essential data that’s secured—whether they’re on the shop floor, in the field, or at home—as long as their devices are connected to the internet.

Our dedicated professional services and support teams help ensure you maximize the value of your Aptean solutions. We collaborate closely with you to accelerate ROI, identify success factors, overcome resistance and drive innovation throughout your organization. With Aptean as your partner, you can achieve unparalleled success.

Discover how Aptean’s discrete-manufacturing specific solutions can transform your business operations. Request a personalized demo today or send us a message.