The Company
American Standard Building Systems (ASBS) is a leading manufacturer of panelized home packages for builders. Panelized construction - the process of engineering and building wall sections in a factory, which are then delivered to the job site and erected - is the fastest growing segment of home building today. Product line includes prepackaged panelized "kit" homes and a complete custom home program. ASBS is known for its flexibility in design and quality of materials and workmanship.

The Situation
James A. Lester, CEO, contacted VPMEP for an objective, overall assessment of the company. ASBS employees believed that not following industry trends or meeting the product and market demand of their customers had hurt the company's position in the marketplace. In general, ASBS lacked a primary focus.

The Response
VPMEP conducted an overall assessment and identified several opportunities for improvement. Project Manager James Tate was called in to implement a master scheduling program. He computerized and streamlined the job tracking process to coordinate departments and to make sure capacity matched demand. As the company's position improved, VPMEP's role evolved into that of a marketing partner. Working with management, VPMEP Project Manager Dave Evans developed a telemarketing program, marketing strategies, and materials to increase sales.

The Results
ASBS has made great strides in rebounding. A clearer communication chain was established within the company, which has radically improved customer service and reduced inventory. Although the 145,000-square-foot facility is operating at only one-third of capacity, Lester anticipates moving to full capacity within a five-year period. And as fortunes change, he sees new roles for VPMEP.

Management’s Comment
"The master scheduling system makes it 100% easier to keep up with what's going on in the company," Director of Operations Mike Young said. "I can predict more realistic lead times and know when materials are available. The value that I see in VPMEP is the variety of services and the comprehensive nature of those services," said Lester. "I am impressed with the willingness of VPMEP project managers to invest the time in understanding the business."

Visit Their Site!

Facing A Similar Challenge? Let Us Help!