Unifying manufacturing operations for growth and innovation

Akita worked with a leading designer and manufacturer of architectural, space-defining furniture, blending California cool with London design.

With nearly three decades of experience, it has become a key innovator in workspace furniture and design thinking, serving global clients and operating manufacturing and design centres in both the UK and the USA.

At time of engagement, the company’s growth was constrained by legacy systems, such as Sage 50, which could not keep pace with evolving business needs. Data was fragmented across multiple platforms and spreadsheets, making it difficult to achieve a single source of truth.

This lack of integration led to slow, manual processes, limited visibility across UK and US operations, and cumbersome global reporting. The business struggled to align best practices internationally, and decision-making was hampered by delays in accessing accurate data.

Manufacturing operations, inventory management, and procurement were all affected by these inefficiencies, and the company’s ability to scale and deliver a seamless customer experience was at risk.

Unifying Systems With Business Central

To address these issues, we guided the company through a comprehensive digital transformation, implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central as a unified manufacturing ERP platform.

This solution was rolled out across both UK and US operations, replacing legacy systems and integrating all core business functions.

Central aspects of the solution included:

• Automation and Integration: Automated workflows were introduced for approvals, procurement, and expense management, reducing manual intervention and streamlining day-to-day operations. Integration with third-party tools such as Continia (for document capture and expenses), Yavrio (for open banking and payments), and Power BI (for advanced reporting) provided a seamless, end-to-end business process.
• Manufacturing and Inventory Control: Advanced manufacturing modules were deployed, including production BOMs, routings, work centres, and shop calendars. The system now supports multi-level BOMs, real-time inventory tracking, automated stock adjustments, and barcode-enabled warehousing. Material requirements planning (MRP) and production scheduling are now managed centrally, with APIs connecting CRM and production systems.
• Global Data Management and Reporting:
  

  Structured data migration templates ensured accurate transfer of financial, inventory, and manufacturing data. The unified platform supports consolidated reporting across all business units, with standardised chart of accounts and dimensions for consistent analysis.

System architecture was designed to support future growth, allowing new companies, locations, and modules to be added as needed. A template company approach ensures consistency and simplifies future expansion.

A “train the trainer” model empowered super users to support ongoing adoption, with comprehensive documentation and version control to manage changes and maintain alignment with business needs.

Benefits Realised

Following the successful implementation of the new ERP platform, including time spent in both London and California, the organisation has experienced a profound transformation in its day-to-day operations and strategic capabilities.

Automation has replaced many of the manual processes that previously consumed valuable staff time, allowing teams to focus on higher-value activities and innovation. The integration of all core business functions into a single, cloud-based system has provided real-time visibility across the entire organisation, enabling leaders to make faster, more informed decisions.

Manufacturing operations have become more efficient. The company now benefits from accurate, real-time inventory tracking, streamlined production scheduling, and automated stock adjustments, all of which have reduced the risk of stockouts and production delays. The adoption of barcode-enabled warehousing and advanced material requirements planning has further optimised the flow of goods and information throughout the business.

Global reporting has been standardised and greatly simplified. With consolidated data from both UK and US operations, management can now access comprehensive reports that support both daily management and long-term strategic planning. This unified approach has also made it easier to align best practices across international teams and ensure consistency in financial controls and compliance.

Customer experience has improved. Orders are processed more quickly, service delivery is more reliable, and the business is able to respond to client needs with greater agility.

The new Business Central system’s scalability and flexibility mean that the organisation is now well-positioned to support future growth, adapt to changing market demands, and maintain its reputation as a leader in workspace manufacturing and design.