Background

Part of the ION group that also owns Lawson customer, Adelaide-based Castalloy, Argent has a turnover of NZ$140 million and employs 550.

It supplies aluminium wheels and structural components to Ford Motor Company and Mazda in the US and Australia.

Previously part of the Ford Motor Company, Argent Metals was sold to the ION Group in August 2001 as part of a global divestment strategy. This precipitated the need to implement a new financials application as soon as possible.

Requirements

According to Ross Petrie, Argent's Finance and Administration Manager, "The most important requirement was an integrated system that would bring our corporate information together. We also required strong reporting capabilities, combined with ease of use – and one that could be implemented swiftly.

Implementation

"The implementation went very smoothly and was complete within a month. Movex has been very well accepted by our users. Indeed, we are finding that the system does a lot more than we originally anticipated – and it will get a lot better," Mr Petrie said.

"We are impressed with Movex's ability to handle financials – it will cut out a lot of reconciliations that are very time consuming for our business," concluded Mr Petrie.

According to Steve Ironside, Managing Director, Lawson, "It is a pleasure to add such an innovative company to our client base. As New Zealand's only manufacturer of OEM wheels to the Ford Motor Company, Argent is competing with manufacturers in both the US and Australia – and succeeding.

"We look forward to assisting the company to reap the benefits of a fully integrated e-Collaboration solution that will help it manage its solid growth into the future," he said.