The Kirkpatrick Group, a Texas-based industrial manufacturer specializing in high-performance wire rope lubrication systems, reduced order fulfillment times by up to 90% after modernizing its production and inventory management system. 

A global industrial manufacturer with a 40-year engineering legacy 

Founded more than four decades ago in Richardson, Texas, The Kirkpatrick Group, Inc. (TKG) has evolved from a field-driven innovation into a globally recognized lubrication systems manufacturer serving: 

• U.S. Navy 
• U.S. Coast Guard 
• Defense contractors 
• Offshore operators 
• Mining and industrial companies across six continents 

TKG’s product reliability, engineering consistency, and deep technical expertise have made its Kirkpatrick Wire Rope Lubrication Systems and Dynagard™ lubricants the industry benchmark for mission-critical environments. 

This operational strength laid the foundation for TKG’s next phase – leveraging modern digital systems to support scalable global growth. 

Modernizing operations for the next stage of growth 

When Kevin Blair joined TKG, he recognized that while the company had exceptionally strong operational processes, many of its supporting systems still relied on older, non-cloud workflows. 

Blair led a company-wide modernization initiative aimed at: 

• Increasing real-time operational visibility 
• Enhancing production planning accuracy 
• Streamlining purchasing and inventory control 
• Reducing lead times and variability 
• Creating a scalable digital framework for future expansion 

“We weren’t looking to replace what already worked,” Blair explains. “We were looking to elevate it. Modern tools give us the clarity and capacity required for the next decade of growth.” 

After evaluating multiple ERP solutions, TKG selected MRPeasy for its balance of capability, scalability, and seamless integration with QuickBooks Online and adjacent cloud software. 

Internal-led ERP deployment with zero disruption 

Blair served as project lead, leveraging his operational background and MRPeasy’s training resources to implement the system without outside consultants. 

“MRPeasy’s documentation and training tools allowed us to execute internally and rapidly,” he says. “We built digital versions of our bills of materials, routings, and inventory architecture – translating nearly 40 years of production expertise into a modern, scalable system.” 

This approach ensured: 

• No production downtime 
• Smooth transition for the warehouse and operations teams 
• Immediate visibility into material movement and production stages 

Order fulfillment times reduced from weeks to days 

With real-time insight into inventory and production, TKG now operates with: 

• Lean, accurately maintained inventory 
• Precise reorder points 
• Fewer stockouts and bottlenecks 
• Stronger vendor alignment 

The result is dramatically improved lead time reliability across all product categories. 

“Most standard orders ship within one to three days now,” Blair says. “And for complex configurations, the improvement has been equally meaningful.” 

Improved cost visibility and predictable production planning 

Before MRPeasy, cost analysis required labor-intensive manual reconciliation. The new system provides real-time clarity into: 

• Material and labor costs 
• Margins 
• Production efficiency 
• Purchasing cycles 

This visibility has allowed TKG to shift from reactive ordering to proactive monthly production planning, improving internal coordination and supplier relationships. 

Enhanced traceability and quality assurance 

While many TKG formulations have long lifespans, certain specialty blends require controlled traceability. MRPeasy now automatically assigns lot identifiers and tracks them through every stage of production. 

“Everything now moves through a structured, traceable process,” Blair explains. “If a batch ever needed to be isolated, we could identify it immediately.”  

Building a scalable foundation for global growth 

Blair views modern systems as critical infrastructure for any advanced manufacturer. 

“Customers expect reliability, professional execution, and fast lead times,” he says. “Modernizing operations isn’t optional – it’s an operational safeguard and a growth catalyst.” 

In addition to his work with TKG, Blair and his business partner operate Chairside Partners, an advisory firm serving industrial companies evaluating operational technologies. Blair frequently recommends MRPeasy to firms seeking a right-sized ERP that avoids enterprise-level complexity. 

“MRPeasy hits the sweet spot,” he notes. “It’s powerful, flexible, and accessible. For a scaling manufacturer, that combination is ideal.” 

Key improvements after MRPeasy implementation 

Operational Area	Before	After
Standard Order Lead Time	Up to 30 Days	1-3 Business Days
Production Planning	Manual, reactive	Real-time, proactive
Inventory Control	Frequent stockouts	Lean, accurate, automated
Cost Visibility	Manual reconciliation	Real-time cost clarity
Traceability	Partially manual	End-to-end digital tracking

You may also like: Small Chocolate Manufacturer Thrives During Busy Season Thanks to ERP