Getting ERP Right for Custom Wood Flooring manufacturer

Selecting the right ERP platform for custom wood flooring manufacturer enables complex order entry, robust inventory controls, and a path to national expansion.

Essex Finishing (Essex) is a wood flooring manufacturer that maintains one of the broadest inventories of custom high-end, unfinished engineered wood flooring on the East Coast. Raw materials are sourced primarily from Europe, and Essex manufactures flooring to exact specifications and finishes, serving high-end retailers and real estate developers primarily along the East Coast, with a growing national reach.

The business, acquired by a private equity firm, had evolved from a lean, founder-led operation into a more complex organization with thousands of manufacturing configurations. After the acquisition, the day-one strategy was clear: Essex needed a true ERP system. Their existing platform, QuickBooks, could not support long-term growth, proper inventory management, or production planning.

While the new leadership team at Essex focused on learning the business, they sought ERP advisory consulting to fast-track the selection of a new ERP solution. Based on a recommendation, they engaged John Hannan LLC to help them select an ERP solution in just a few short months.

Making ERP Visions a Reality

Expansive ERP vendor knowledge

Fast-tracked ERP
Software Selection

Hands-on Vendor Management and negotiation

Challenge

Need to quickly select and implement a scalable ERP platform without the internal expertise on the current ERP market and options
Transition a family-run business, recently acquired by private equity, off QuickBooks, which they knew could not support future growth, inventory complexity, or production planning
Support highly customized, engineered wood flooring with thousands of combinations of thickness, widths, grades, bundle size, and finishes—making order entry and configuration the biggest pain point

Solution

Engaged John Hannan LLC in a structured, fast-tracked ERP Software Selection process within two months, tailored to Essex’s unique business model
Helped the leadership team articulate critical requirements, especially front-end order configuration, and made that a focal point of vendor evaluations
Shortlisted three ERP platforms, guided focused demos, and challenged vendors to show exactly how they would handle Essex’s complex order-entry needs
Advised on and negotiated a five-year contract with the chosen ERP software vendor, ensuring competitive pricing, favorable terms, and a scalable foundation
Re-engaged at contract renewal to advocate for Essex when the vendor’s approach shifted, protecting the economic value of the original deal

Without John’s guidance on ERP selection and negotiations, we simply couldn’t run the business we have today. He helped us translate our high-level requirements into specific selection criteria, zero in on our real pain points, guide us through focused demos, and structure a strong contract.

Jim Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer at Essex Finishing

Outcome

Selected an ERP solution with robust capabilities for complex order entry, sophisticated inventory management, and production planning—giving leadership confidence in their decision
Operate on a platform that now supports future growth: Essex has more than doubled the breadth of standard stocked inventory, expanded to a second warehouse, and improved order accuracy and internal communication, all managed within the solution
Gained a long-term trusted ERP advisor—from initial software selection through ongoing contract negotiations
Secured an advocate during contract renewal with the ERP vendor to protect the spirit and value of the original agreement