Auto Marine Cables – ERP System Selection

Selecting the right ERP system to drive growth in manufacturing and distribution.

The client

Auto Marine Cables (AMC) has been ‘making quality cables to power projects across the globe, from land to sea, for 60 years.’

Celebrating six decades in business, AMC is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of low-voltage electrical cables and a distributor of wiring accessories, connectors, and electrical components. From its origins in the 1960s as a Bolton-based car accessories retailer, the company has grown into a trusted supplier to the automotive, marine, and industrial sectors, operating from its Worsley headquarters.

Service: ERP Requirements & SOR, ERP Selection, ERP Strategy & Road Mapping

Industry: manufacturing, distribution

Location: UK, North America, Europe, Middle East & APAC

Website: https://www.amc-tcg.com/

The challenge

AMC first implemented an ERP system in 2008. Over time, as business needs evolved, gaps emerged in its functionality. This led to:

  • Heavy reliance on spreadsheets.
  • Development of in-house systems to patch limitations.
  • Manual workarounds across key processes.

Following new investment in 2019, AMC prepared for its next phase of growth, but quickly recognised its existing ERP could not support that ambition. They needed to modern ERP solution capable of:

  • Managing a high volume of product varieties.
  • Handling complex price lists while protecting margins.
  • Improving visibility of components for kitting.
  • Delivering accurate inventory management.
  • Streamlining purchasing processes.
  • Supporting growth within tight project timelines.

“We highly recommend Gradient to any company that may be daunted by the thought of making a significant investment in an ERP system and perhaps making the wrong decision. Gradient helped Auto Marine make the right decision.”

Amy Bryant, Financial Director, Auto Marine Cables Ltd

The solution

To reduce operational risk, cut costs, better serve their customers and provide a foundation for growth, AMC engaged Gradient to lead a structured ERP selection process. The new platform needed to consolidate data and standardise processes across manufacturing and distribution operations.

The approach

Gradient worked closely with AMC to confirm their requirements and evaluate potential solutions through a disciplined process:

  • Discovery meetings: An intensive programme across all departments, completed within the first month.
  • Statement of Requirements (SoR): Detailed document produced by the second month.
  • Vendor longlisting and shortlisting: Three vendors shortlisted by month three.
  • Demonstrations and validation: Vendor demos completed in month four, followed by site visits and reference calls in month five.
  • Final selection: Preferred vendor selected and contract signed by the end of the fifth month.

The result

Gradient delivered a clear, structured selection process that:

  • Met AMC’s tight deadlines.
  • Delivered the project on time and under budget.
  • Ensured AMC selected an ERP solution aligned to its growth strategy.

The chosen ERP system provided AMC with a robust platform to manage complexity, improve efficiency, and support long-term expansion in the manufacturing and distribution markets.