Concentric AB: Global ERP strategy to streamline systems across 10 sites

Concentric, a global manufacturer of engine and hydraulic systems, engaged Gradient Transforming to help assess the feasibility and benefits of consolidating eight ERP systems into one modern, cloud-based platform.

The client

Concentric has a long history of providing innovative solutions for oil pumps, water pumps, fuel pumps and hydraulic systems to customers worldwide.

The group has analyst-projected sales revenues of £320 million for 2022 and employs over 1,300 people across 10 manufacturing facilities. These span both its engines and hydraulics divisions, with major sites in the USA, UK, Germany, India, and China. The group’s headquarters are located in Redditch, UK.

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

Industry: manufacturing

Location: Redditch, United Kingdom

Website: concentricab.com

The challenge

Concentric wanted to explore how the global business could operate more efficiently and effectively by replacing more than eight different ERP systems with a single, modern, cloud-based ERP platform.

Several of their existing 'heritage systems' were approaching end-of-life, making the timing and prioritisation of a group-wide rollout even more critical.

The solution

Alongside a group-level strategic review, Gradient conducted six site visits across the UK, USA, Germany, and India to assess both existing ‘as-is’ processes and future ‘to-be’ scenarios.

From these visits, a gaps and opportunities analysis was developed to help Concentric’s senior management team consider next steps - aligned to budget constraints and an outline ROI.

Once the review was complete and critical success factors were agreed upon, Gradient produced a Statement of Requirements that outlined the transformation path for the project team to follow.

"We highly recommend Gradient for any company that needs help figuring out how they might transform their business through the selection of an ERP system.”

The approach

  • Gradient used insights from the site visits to engage a longlist of potential vendors and helped Concentric agree on which should receive the Statement of Requirements.
  • After analysing vendor responses, including outline budgets and implementation approaches, three vendors were shortlisted to demonstrate their solutions to key project personnel from the UK, USA, and Germany (in person in the UK).
  • Gradient facilitated a focused demo agenda and managed the entire process to ensure maximum value from three full days of demonstrations. All vendors were given an equal chance to showcase capabilities and automotive-specific domain expertise.
  • Once a preferred supplier was chosen, additional workshops were held to address outstanding capability questions raised during the demos.
  • Commercial negotiations followed, with Gradient providing valuable input on the vendor’s terms and conditions, ensuring both value and rollout flexibility. The agreement was signed at the end of June 2022.

“We selected Gradient to help us with that journey because their team demonstrated a wide range of experience and knowledge that we believed we needed to make the right decision for the business and its shareholders.”

Concentric

The result

The project took longer than originally planned due to several factors - most notably the impact of COVID-19 and Concentric’s acquisition of two new US businesses, one of which boosted group revenues by over 50%. This required a re-evaluation of project scope, timing, and cost, with two more ERP systems and 300+ additional employees to factor in.

Gradient remained responsive and helpful throughout this re-scoping, ensuring timelines remained acceptable and enabling the final vendor shortlist to be agreed.

“We made the right choice of partner in Gradient and they have helped us to make our decision to implement Infor’s CloudSuite Automotive solution.”

Implementation began with the UK operations, creating a proven framework for wider group rollout. The selected solution will help streamline processes across regions, support greater efficiency, and consolidate Concentric’s market position - all while enabling future growth as EV technology continues to reshape the automotive sector.