Leading global toy manufacturer orders specialist Chelford SAP solution to centralise warehouse and distribution operations, RC2 will use multi-lingual functionality to support its rapid international growth

RC2, the leading multinational designer, producer and marketer of toys such as Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine and Johnny Lightning has ordered the SAP Smartstart ERP solution from Chelford SAP Solutions, a Chelford Group company and specialist provider of SAP solutions and support services.

RC2 selected the SAP solution so it can consolidate and centralise its wholesale and distribution operations as it expands throughout Europe and the Middle East. Multi-Lingual systems will give RC2 the functionality it needs to enhance operations across these regions, and support existing offices in France, Germany and Holland.

The SAP system will provide time-saving shortcuts to RC2's processes, by enhancing the entry of sales data, while retaining a central repository of information on customer orders, progress reports and stock & inventory levels. The implementation will be carried out with both current and future needs in mind, and Chelford SAP will help ensure that the system provides the level of scalability that RC2 needs in order to continue its impressive global expansion.

"We have served customers across Europe for several years, and we have been able to function effectively throughout that time with the systems we had," commented Carol Newman, Operations Director of RC2's European and Middle Eastern Division.

"With the new growth targets that we have, we felt the need to look at new options for the management of our expanding operations. SAP gives us a multi-lingual solution, so that we will have no inhibitions about going into new countries, because we know we will be able to process sales and stock information right away. The centralisation that SAP offers will also give us some operational advantages because it provides some short-cuts on the manual side of some of our processes.

"The SAP Smartstart solution also gives us a straight-forward avenue to scale the operation up as and when we need to. We perceive an extended period of growth as we look to consolidate in new countries, and a major factor in our decision to go with Chelford SAP was the assurance that the solution would have no problems accommodating that," Carol Newman continued.