The Lynton Group

A future-fit ERP to support growth

The Lynton Group needed a future-proof ERP to support rapid growth and evolving manufacturing processes. Gradient led a structured selection process that delivered clarity, confidence, and a system aligned to their long-term vision.

The client

Originating from The University of Manchester, The Lynton Group is a world-leading, British-based manufacturer, supplying medical-grade Laser & IPL technology to the aesthetics, conservation and surgical industry worldwide.

Combining high levels of expertise with a reputation for unrivalled quality, reliability and post-purchase support, The Lynton Group produces ultra-high specification equipment across three separate divisions.

Since being founded in 1994, Lynton Lasers has grown to become a global leader in the development, manufacture and provision of laser technologies. The business employs nearly seventy people at its head office and manufacturing unit in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, with products distributed globally either directly or via third parties.

Gradient Transforming Customer Lyton Lasers Case Study

Service: ERP Project Governance, ERP Requirements & SOR, ERP Selection, Gaps & Opportunities Analysis

Industry: manufacturing, distribution, engineering

Location: Cheshire

Website: lynton.co.uk

The challenge

While Lynton already had systems in place for finance and customer relationship management, there were clear gaps in other key areas - notably R&D, manufacturing, and change control.

Lack of integration between systems, and ongoing reliance on spreadsheets, standalone databases and manual workarounds for critical activities, had become a major source of frustration. The existing setup was increasingly seen as a barrier to business growth.

The solution

Lynton had a clear vision for what a new core business system should achieve. Their key objectives included:

  • Providing a scalable foundation to support growth without a proportional increase in headcount
  • Automating inter-departmental processes, especially for order handling affected by Brexit paperwork
  • Freeing up team capacity to focus on value-adding activities
  • Enabling innovation and faster product introduction for overseas markets
  • Implementing user-definable workflows to streamline operations and support quality and regulatory control
  • Accelerating issue resolution for customers

To achieve this, Lynton engaged Gradient Transforming in late 2022 to lead a full systems selection process - with a focus on identifying an ERP solution that would meet both current challenges and future ambitions.

The approach

Gradient worked closely with Lynton to deliver a structured, multi-stage selection process:

  • Discovery workshops were held with teams from across the business to document current ‘as-is’ processes, identify gaps and disconnects, and pinpoint improvement opportunities.
  • A review of the ERP software market was conducted to identify potential solutions and vendors, including indicative costs.
  • Fourteen vendors or implementation partners were contacted and assessed against a list of high-level requirements.

  • Findings from this phase including projected investment and returns were summarised in a board report. Based on this, Lynton’s leadership approved moving ahead.

One immediate challenge was whether to retain their existing CRM or adopt a unified ERP/CRM solution. Gradient advised keeping options open until evaluating how each proposed ERP handled CRM functionality. Next, Gradient:

  • Created a comprehensive Statement of Requirements, signed off by Lynton
  • Issued the document to seven shortlisted vendors
  • Fully managed the response process, assessed vendor replies, and reviewed them with the Lynton team
  • Shortlisted three vendors to deliver in-depth demonstrations

Gradient then coordinated:

  • Scenario-based demo days, following an agreed agenda
  • Introductory meetings, full-day demonstrations, and stakeholder scoring
  • Follow-up sessions to enable the team to reach consensus on the best-fit solution

“We recommend Gradient Transforming to any company considering making a significant investment in a new ERP system who are concerned over making the wrong choice. Gradient helped Lynton make the right choice.”

Lynton Lasers

The result

“Having independent, expert guidance throughout the ERP selection process was key. It was important to review as wide a range of suitable options as possible, using logical and objective methodology, and by working with Gradient we were able to confidently identify, and eventually select, the best ERP system to suit our specific needs.”

Dr Jon Exley, Managing Director, Lynton Lasers