From Timber to Tech: Appletree Joinery’s Path to Efficiency with E-Max ERP

Appletree Joinery Products Limited is a well-established bespoke joinery manufacturer based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. With a history spanning 40 years, Appletree has built a solid reputation for supplying tailored joinery products to leading kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) suppliers across the UK. The company specialises in manufacturing made-to-order products, ranging from panels and canopies to wine racks and feature cabinets, for this sector and is actively expanding into new markets, including commercial furniture.

With a team committed to craftsmanship and innovation, Appletree has become a trusted partner in the KBB sector, recognised for its tailored solutions and dedication to growth. The company combines traditional skills with modern manufacturing techniques to meet customer needs across the UK.

Before implementing an ERP system, Appletree Joinery faced significant operational limitations. The company relied heavily on paper-based systems, which led to a lack of visibility, inefficiencies, and difficulty managing processes.

Team members often had to walk around the factory to locate customer orders or gather production updates manually. This lack of visibility hindered both productivity and decision-making. Andrew Davison, Appletree’s Head of Operations, explained, the business needed to move forward:

“I used to watch customers email for product order updates, and someone would have to get up and go round the factory to look for the product and see where it was. That just wasn’t sustainable.”

Following a devastating factory fire in 2019, that destroyed a large portion of their manufacturing space, and the onset of COVID-19 shortly after, the business was under significant pressure to modernise its operations.

Although Appletree used Sage for finance, they had no digital visibility over their manufacturing. This meant that production ran with no defined job timings, routings, or bills of materials. Orders were processed manually and stored in files, making it difficult to retrieve information and monitor job progress.

“We didn't have any systematic approaches to manufacturing. We had job cards that used to go on the shop floor, which were pretty well controlled, but there was no visibility. I think if I was going to strike with the broad brush, we could say we didn't have any control.”

Appletree Joinery chose E-Max ERP after reviewing several systems. Although not the cheapest option, E-Max stood out for its flexibility, local presence, and collaborative approach. Their local North East office provided a geographic advantage, allowing for a closer working relationship.

More importantly, E-Max demonstrated a commitment to partnership, not just implementation. Their willingness to engage in ongoing dialogue, offer training days, and adapt the system to Appletree’s evolving needs proved crucial. Andrew explained:

“I knew from day one it was going to be difficult to get the ERP off the ground and I didn't want to get into this with a company that was not going to be fully invested with us. And what I was getting from E-Max was ‘we'll work with you’. And to be honest, that's exactly how it’s worked.”

Since implementing E-Max ERP in May 2021, Appletree Joinery has experienced significant benefits across every area of its operations. The most immediate and valuable gain has been visibility. Managers can now see, in real time, what jobs are in progress, which orders have been delivered, and how much value has been invoiced—without needing to leave their desks. Andrew noted:

“We went from zero visibility to being able to click on my computer and within a minute I can see who’s doing which job. I can also see how much work, how many sales orders we’ve taken in today, how many purchase orders have been placed, how much, value-wise, that we’ve delivered. In the past that would cost me 2-3 hours of the day to get all of that information.”

This visibility has directly supported better decision-making, particularly important for Appletree, who operate within a very short-term order book. By having reliable, real-time data, the team can act with agility and confidence.

In addition, the time savings E-Max ERP has enabled have been considerable, with what once took several hours now being done in minutes. These hidden efficiencies have streamlined operations and freed up staff to focus on more strategic work.

The system has also enabled KPI tracking and performance measurement, allowing Appletree to monitor credit values, sales, and operational metrics more effectively. Andrew recognised,

“E-Max ERP has provided the base and the platform for us to have KPI measures in our business planning, which is immeasurable.”

E-Max’s dashboards feature has proven particularly valuable, allowing staff to access critical information on one screen. This has cut down on the time spent chasing paperwork or manually compiling reports. Operational efficiency has also improved, with team members empowered to raise queries and implement dashboard changes without needing to go through management.

While some results are hard to quantify, the introduction of E-Max ERP laid a solid foundation for continuous improvement at Appletree. The system now enables KPI tracking, efficient planning, and a more agile response to business demands. Appletree has transformed from a paper-heavy operation to a digitally enabled, data-driven manufacturer.

The company is now capable of extracting valuable business insights quickly. This data visibility supports planning, quality control, and future growth strategies.

Team members are engaged with the system, adapting processes proactively and working collaboratively with the E-Max support team. This has fostered a culture of innovation and responsiveness, with E-Max ERP now seen as an integral part of the business – a platform Appletree relies on daily. Plans are in motion to transition to E-Max’s cloud version, improving accessibility and reducing reliance on on-site servers. Andrew concluded with what E-Max means to their business:

“E-Max is now like another arm or leg to Appletree. We can’t function day-to-day now without it – and that’s how it’s got to be.”

And for others considering an ERP system, Andrew offers some sage advice on the importance of understanding that implementation is not a quick fix—it’s a long-term, evolving process that requires commitment and collaboration. He stresses the importance of viewing ERP as a partnership rather than a product, noting that

“You have to work in partnership and collaborate together to make it work.”

Andrew also encourages businesses to be adaptable and open to continuous improvement. While going live can feel daunting, he believes success comes from being responsive and willing to adjust.

“There’s nothing wrong with going live—as long as you can react to change. If there’s a problem, fix it and move to the next bit because inevitably there’s going to be bumps in the road.”

For Appletree, embracing this mindset has meant transformative results, leading to a stronger, more agile business now seeking new expansion opportunities.