Fertilizer Dealer Supply Boosts Supply Chain With VAI S2K Suggested Purchasing Application

VAI Empowers Leading Fertilizer Supplier with Purchasing Insight

Ronkonkoma, N.Y. - April 27, 2016 - VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.), a leading ERP software provider, announced that Fertilizer Dealer Supply (FDS), the Illinois-based fertilizer and chemical parts and equipment supplier, is optimizing its supply chain with VAI’s S2K Suggested Purchasing solution. By implementing VAI’s industry-leading ERP system, FDS has significantly improved inventory turns while lowering overstock rates.

As the leading supplier for retail and chemical dealers with seven locations throughout the Midwest, FDS has grown steadily since its beginning in the late 1960s. Because of this expansion, the company needed to improve its visibility, communication and automation to better service its locations; it was this technology need that resulted in the adoption of the VAI S2K solution.

“We began the migration to centralized purchasing for our seven locations in the fall of 2014,” said Chuck Koeberlein, Corporate Purchasing Manager at Fertilizer Dealer Supply. “VAI’s Suggested Purchasing enabled us to rapidly move inventory and accurately recognize purchasing trends. We have also improved turns for the company by 34 percent and reduced overstock inventory finances by 27 percent.”

Before implementing VAI’s Suggested Purchasing solution, each location was responsible for ordering its own parts, which led to the increase in excess inventory. Fertilizer Dealer Supply also has a number of popular seasonal products, so ensuring they had sufficient quantities on hand during peak season was crucial. Since the initial implementation of VAI’s solutions, the company has experienced vast improvements to its supply chain through inventory efficiency.

“We’re very excited to continue our work with Fertilizer Dealer Supply,” said Bob Vormittag, CEO at VAI. “They are a valuable partner, and we share their commitment to excellence, drive for innovation and dedication to our customers. Having been in business for decades, they possess deep, impactful expertise in their field, and we’re happy to help them streamline their operations as they look toward the future.”

“With the softening of the agricultural market and continual decline in farm incomes, it was essential we focus on better managing our parts inventory, and VAI’s Suggested Purchasing tool facilitated centralization of our stock parts purchasing,” said Dale Huffman, CFO at Fertilizer Dealer Supply. “Even with our parts business up 10 percent this year, our inventory is $2 million less than last year. Having this purchasing capability also provides a strong cornerstone for expansion opportunities in the future.”

About Fertilizer Dealer Supply

Fertilizer Dealer Supply (FDS) offers the most complete inventory of fertilizer and chemical application parts in the country. Seven fully stocked locations give FDS an unmatched order shipment record. The extensive liquid application parts inventory includes chemical hose, spray hose, cam lever couplings, liquid valves, liquid strainers, centrifugal pumps, transfer pumps, chemical meters, piston pumps, poly tanks, steel tanks, foam markers, chemical injection systems, guidance systems, manifold fittings, flow indicators, electric valves, spray nozzles, spray tips, and spray fittings.

About VAI (Vormittag Associates, Inc.)

VAI is a leading independent mid-market ERP software developer renowned for its flexible solutions and ability to automate critical business functions for the distribution, manufacturing, specialty retail and service sectors. An IBM Premier Business Partner, VAI is the 2012 IBM Beacon Award Winner for Outstanding Solutions for Midsize Businesses. VAI continues to innovate with new solutions that leverage analytics, business intelligence, mobility and cloud technology to help customers make more informed business decisions in real-time and empower their mobile workforces. VAI is headquartered in Ronkonkoma, NY with branch offices in Florida, Illinois and California. For more information, visit www.vai.net, follow @VAISoftware on Twitter or “like us” on facebook.com/VAISoftware.