With a new business system that allows faster product development and shorter lead times Nudie's goal is set on a wider range of products and global growth.
Nudie's passion for jeans has had great success in Sweden and the world. In 2015 it was therefore time to gear up for an ERP system that could better meet the demands of the fashion industry and the growing needs of the company. Infor M3 was the system they decided would best suit their needs. Thanks to good system and industry knowledge together with experience from many other similar installations in the fashion industry, Columbus was trusted with the project of implementing the system in 2015 and with the upgrade in 2017.
Three challenges
Nudie Jeans had three main challenges which they share with many other businesses in the fashion industry.
1. Growing internationally demands a flexible system
To be able to smoothly manage new markets, suppliers, and partners is a necessity for any company growing globally. When an order is made from Sweden to a supplier in another country, and the products must be delivered to a third, you need a business system that also functions globally. It must have support for managing value added tax and keep functioning today and tomorrow, regardless how the organization and its logistics change.
2. The volume of products challenges the organization and its procedures
One of the more characteristic challenges for the fashion industry is the variation of models, colors, and sizes – so huge volumes of products must be handled. Without the right business system, maintaining and monitoring data for production, stock, logistics, and sales is nearly impossible.
3. Short seasons demand proper planning
Another fashion-specific factor is their short product life cycles. Short seasons demand efficient management of entire product groups. Small errors can have a negative impact on profitability and cause dissatisfaction among both retailers and their customers.
The solution: A business system built for the needs of the fashion industry
Nudie Jeans installed the Infor M3 Fashion ERP, an industry-specific M3 configuration, and they created integrations with their existing store system and third party logistics systems – a flexible solution that could be easily expanded when the organization grows. As Eva-Maria Lundquist, System Coordinator at Nudie Jeans, states: "Now, Nudie could close the books faster, and increase transparency. Seasonal management is a built-in function, with positive effects and greater control over production, stocks, and logistics."
The complex product assortment is managed using attributes that are added to each item. This facilitates following how many jeans of every size is actually out in the stores.
Next Step: Infor M3 13.4 Upgrading Project
Nudie Jeans has upgraded the system following available new versions and using the additional features to Version 13.4, since in the meantime they run users in about 30 in stores and 8 divisions in Europe, USA and Australia. The servers they own are hosted by an external technology provider.
M3 and Cloud Suite Strategic Roadmap
Nudie Jeans sees this upgrade as a good opportunity to switch to a supported version until at least 2019. If other functions, such as workflow, are needed Nudie Jeans is prepared to connect to Infor's own technical platform XI. There are at present no plans to upgrade to the Cloud Suite.
What was learned during the project?
- A clear internal project team with clear milestones has to be nominated
with documenting what is expected of project participants.
- Reconciliation meetings have to take place internally every other week with instructions what will be done next time.
- Have gradually introduced reconciliation meetings with Columbus consultants to optimize the work on open issues.
- Early contact with external suppliers to ensure resources
Company and products
The company Nudie Jeans was founded 2001 in Götheborg by Maria Erixon Levin and owned by Maria Erixon Levin, Joakim Levin and Palle Stenberg.
Today the head office is in Göteborg with 65 employees and covers all aspects of the business of selling textile products, all the way from design to distribution. Nudie Jeans products are high quality, made in a fair way. That includes the offer of free repair services in Repair Shops, and they as well sell Nudie Jeans as second hand products and recycle worn out products. They run their own online shop and the products are sold in 1500 multi brand retailer doors worldwide. Products are made with 100% organic cotton denim since 2012, with social responsibility and transparent production. It is a premium denim brand for the everyday user. Nudie Jeans has succeeded with their passion in Sweden and the world.