Case Study: Lantech achieves Lean Manufacturing with WinMan ERP

WinMan Enables Lean Manufacturing for Lantech

Lantech, a Louisville-based manufacturer profiled in the book Lean Thinking, faced a major challenge when its legacy information systems could not support the company’s transition to single-piece flow and other Lean Manufacturing processes. After re-engineering its business processes, Lantech selected the WinMan ERP advanced information system to provide an ERP platform aligned with Lean Thinking and its redesigned production model.

WinMan ERP delivered a Lean-focused solution—including multi-level MRP/MPS planning, internal and external Kanban, point-of-use inventory/location control, automated backflush and receiving-to-AP, product configuration, and web/EDI capabilities—to enable cell manufacturing and a push/pull procurement model. The results were dramatic: sales +250%, factory space reduced 40%, inventory turns increased from 2.3x to 20+x (≈87% inventory reduction), over 10,000 items (80%+) on external Kanban, monthly purchase orders cut from >5,000 to <1,700, early-payment discounts >$20,000/month, order fulfillment time down 67%, and substantial quality and profitability improvements—achieved through the WinMan ERP implementation.

Lantech