Lebus Upholstery – ERP System Selection and Implementation Support

Implementing ERP to modernise one of the UK’s largest upholstery manufacturers.

The client

Established in 1840, Lebus Upholstery has grown to become one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of upholstered furniture. Based in North Lincolnshire, the company operates from a modern, purpose-built 250,000 sq. ft. factory, supplying a wide range of furniture retailers across the UK and Ireland.

Lebus designs and develops exclusive ranges to match the latest furnishing trends and fabrics, supported by significant investment in advanced technology to ensure quality, efficiency, and competitiveness.

Gradient Transforming Lebus Upholstery ERP Selection Case Study

Service: Data Governance, ERP Project Governance, ERP Requirements & SOR, ERP Selection

Industry: manufacturing

Location: UK and Ireland

Website: lebus.co.uk

The challenge

Lebus operates in a fast-moving, make-to-order manufacturing environment, producing around 1,800 furniture items each week. With most factory operatives working on 'Payments by Results' schemes, efficient product configuration, production planning, and material control are critical to success.

However, the company’s systems at the time were holding back progress. A bespoke manufacturing package, a separate finance and payroll application, and numerous spreadsheets created inefficiencies, duplication, and limited visibility. Lebus needed:

  • An integrated ERP system to unify operations.
  • Improved production planning and material control functionality.
  • A scalable platform to support growth and customer demands for quality and delivery performance.

The solution

Gradient was engaged to guide both the ERP system selection and implementation process, providing end-to-end support:

  • Requirements gathering: Conducted 21 interviews with key staff to fully understand processes and define ERP needs.
  • Vendor evaluation: Produced a detailed Statement of Requirements, researched the market, and facilitated structured demonstrations.
  • Project management: Managed the nine-month implementation, working closely with the Lebus project team and a senior steering committee.
  • Data migration: Coordinated data compilation, transfer, and validation across legacy systems.

“Lebus initially shortlisted three IT consultant companies, and it was clear from this process that Gradient had the range of expertise we required across specification, selection, project management and hardware. The work done to select a preferred solution and then project manage was key to a successful implementation, which will lead to improved business performance and control as well as open up opportunities for longer-term continual improvement.”

Darrell Bettany, Finance Director, Lebus Upholstery

"The work done to select a preferred solution and then project manage was key to a successful implementation, which will lead to improved business performance and control as well as open up opportunities for longer-term continual improvement.”

Darrell Bettany, Finance Director, Lebus Upholstery

The approach

Gradient’s approach ensured:

  • Vendor shortlisting was based on a systematic evaluation of functionality, fit, and vendor capability.
  • Resources were aligned so vendor consultants’ time onsite was used efficiently.
  • Data readiness tasks were clearly defined and completed between vendor visits.
  • Project governance kept the process moving forward on time and to plan.

The result

With Gradient’s support, Lebus successfully implemented an integrated ERP system that:

  • Eliminated duplication and re-keying of data across legacy systems and spreadsheets.
  • Supported increasing product complexity with a single database.
  • Improved production planning and material control.
  • Provided a robust platform for analysis and business intelligence.
  • Created a scalable foundation for ongoing process improvement and growth.