Buoyant Upholstery – ERP System Selection Support

Helping a heritage furniture brand select an ERP system to support growth.

The client

Founded in 1909, Buoyant Upholstery has grown to become one of the UK’s largest and most respected sofa and chair manufacturers. From its purpose-built factory in Nelson, Lancashire, the company combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design and technology to produce a wide range of high-quality upholstered furniture.

With more than a century of experience and a commitment to innovation, Buoyant Upholstery supplies leading furniture retailers across the UK and Ireland. Their reputation is built on design, comfort, and reliability, underpinned by continual investment in people, processes, and sustainable manufacturing.

Service: ERP Requirements & SOR, ERP Selection

Industry: manufacturing

Location: UK and Ireland

Website: buoyant-upholstery.co.uk

The challenge

When Gradient was engaged, Buoyant Upholstery was running its operations on a 15-year-old 'green screen' legacy system. This created significant risks for a business with ambitious expansion plans:

  • Heavy reliance on spreadsheets to fill system gaps.
  • Processes dependent on a handful of key individuals.
  • Limited functionality to support growing product complexity.
  • Lack of vendor support for the outdated system.

Buoyant Upholstery needed a modern, integrated ERP system to:

  • Manage product design and configuration.
  • Support make-to-order scheduling and shop floor planning.
  • Streamline dispatch, transport, and customer service.
  • Provide field access for agents and customer order tracking.
  • Deliver full integration from design through to accounts.

The solution

Gradient carried out a full business analysis across all departments, capturing system strengths, weaknesses, and future requirements. This led to the development of a detailed Statement of Requirements and structured evaluation process.

“Gradient greatly assisted and sped up our process to find a suitable partner to work with. They had extensive knowledge of the marketplace within our given field and helped enormously in pulling together our scoping document and running the selection process with our steering committee. We believe we’ve found the right partner to work with going forward and it was only by using their input where we able to get to this solution so quickly. They were able to map their knowledge of the systems available onto our knowledge of our process.”

Joel Rosenblatt, Chairman, Buoyant Upholstery

“As a fast-growing business, we benefited from Gradient’s ability to provide step-by-step support along the way, allowing us to focus our attention on our day-to-day activities. Gradient has sound knowledge and experience in ERP selection and implementation and were able to assist in delivering a successful solution, within a short timeline.”

Buoyant Upholstery

The approach

Gradient’s structured methodology included:

  • Forming a steering committee with representation from all areas of the business.
  • Defining success criteria to measure project outcomes.
  • Issuing the Statement of Requirements to multiple ERP vendors.
  • Assessing vendor responses to filter out unsuitable options early.
  • Hosting on-site demonstrations and workshops with shortlisted vendors.
  • Managing an in-depth proof-of-concept workshop with the preferred supplier to confirm fit.

The result

Buoyant quickly identified the right ERP partner through Gradient’s structured process, avoiding wasted time on unsuitable vendors. Benefits included:

  • Objective vendor evaluation, tailored to Buoyant’s operational needs.
  • A clear selection process that aligned technology with future business goals.
  • Contract negotiations supported by Gradient’s industry insight, securing a robust solution within budget.

The new ERP system provided a foundation for Buoyant Upholstery to modernise operations, reduce risk, and support its long-term growth as one of the UK’s leading furniture manufacturers.