Fresh Produce Group

Work faster and smarter with NetSuite

A few details

Starting Point

Fresh Produce Group operated for decades with a DOS-based financial solution, heavily relying on numerous Excel spreadsheets. This outdated setup led to recurring problems, including a lack of insight and overview at both financial and inventory levels. Manual forecasting and stock control processes were time-consuming and prone to errors. Employees spent countless hours each week locating pallets in the warehouse, and many products reached or exceeded their shelf-life dates, resulting in significant losses.

Process definition

The approach

Fresh Produce Group initially adopted NetSuite for bookkeeping, inventory management, order management, and CRM. Later, they developed a customized NetSuite module for pallet movements, integrated with an RFID scanning solution. This transition significantly improved operational efficiency, financial planning, and inventory management, resulting in an annual saving of $1 million through enhanced efficiency and real-time insights into perishable inventory.

Optimized Operations

Transitioned to NetSuite for bookkeeping, inventory, order management, and CRM, streamlining processes and improving efficiency.

Innovative Pallet Management

Developed a custom NetSuite module with RF barcode scanning, reducing manual effort and boosting inventory accuracy.

Significant Savings

Achieved $1 million in annual savings through reduced shrinkage and improved resource allocation.

Scalable Growth

Enabled rapid expansion with minimal increases in administrative staff, supporting new locations and higher inventory volumes seamlessly.

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The full story

Transforming Operations with NetSuite

Fresh Produce Group, one of Australia’s most progressive fruit and vegetable specialists, made a significant leap in operational efficiency with NetSuite, resulting in reduced costs, optimized processes, and improved insights through advanced reporting.

Former Situation

For decades, Fresh Produce Group relied on a DOS-based financial solution and numerous Excel spreadsheets, leading to persistent issues like a lack of financial and inventory visibility. Manual forecasting and stock control were time-consuming and error-prone, causing weekly losses in warehouse efficiency and frequent product spoilage.

“NetSuite significantly boosted our operational efficiency and inventory control, resulting in annual savings of $1 million.”

– Robert Nugan (Executive Chairman – Fresh Produce Group)

Working with NetSuite

Initially, Fresh Produce Group implemented NetSuite for bookkeeping, inventory management, order management, and CRM. They later developed a customized NetSuite module for pallet movement, integrated with radio frequency barcode scanning. This transition significantly enhanced operational efficiency, financial planning, and inventory control, resulting in annual savings of $1 million due to reduced shrinkage and fewer required FTEs.

Scalable Platform for Rapid Expansion

NetSuite’s ability to handle higher inventory volumes allowed Fresh Produce Group to expand while only slightly increasing administrative staff. The platform’s quick deployment for new locations and users supports exponential growth without the typical delays and costs associated with on-premise technology.

About Fresh Produce Group

For over 25 years, Fresh Produce Group has been dedicated to providing families, in Australia and beyond, with the freshest quality produce. Recognised as one of Australia’s largest and most innovative produce suppliers we continue to grow their investment in Australian farms. From wholly owned farms to joint ventures a continued vertical integration strategy underpins their approach.