Oxfordshire based Caffyn Engineering Ltd, established in October 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, provides subcontract CNC engineering services to a wide range of market sectors. One of Managing Director Charlie Caffyn's first major decisions was to invest in PSL Datatrack production control software.

With extensive experience in the precision engineering industry, Charlie was already a seasoned user of PSL Datatrack. “I was determined to build the business around first-class customer service and using PSL Datatrack to effectively run it from the outset was vital, and a no-brainer for me in terms of investment. It's easy to use, traces and controls every order from quotation to invoice and shows me exactly what's happening on the shop floor,” he comments.

Charlie knew that the system would ensure efficient shop floor activity and would also provide him with full visibility over material and production planning, enabling the company to meet one of its primary goals: on time deliveries.

Serving customers in the aerospace, automotive, energy, medical and scientific industries, among others, Caffyn Engineering produces parts in materials ranging from stainless and mild steels to brass, copper and aluminium as well as inconel, incoloy, plastics, molybdenum and phosphor bronze. At any one time a wide variety of components may therefore be in production but with PSL Datatrack, all the different combinations of customer orders are comfortably managed - whether it's bespoke machined parts, one-off prototyping or full batch repeat and new production runs.

In less than a year the company had already moved to larger premises in Watlington. To cope with extra business, it has also taken on more staff and invested in two new CNC milling machines, a CMM and bandsaw alongside its existing Hurco CNC lathe and three-axis machining centre. As a continually investing and expanding business, Caffyn Engineering is always on the lookout for skilled staff and trainees.

Charlie firmly believes that utilisation of PSL Datatrack has contributed significantly to this success. He initially invested in modules covering Sales and Finance functions, which together enabled quotations and invoices to be raised quickly and professionally. Also in place are the Administration and Purchasing modules, which have provided close management and traceability of suppliers and materials. “This allows me to make informed decisions about taking on new customers and work, knowing we will not let anyone down on delivery,” says Charlie.

Caffyn Engineering is now looking towards ISO 9001 accreditation and the investment already made in PSL Datatrack will play a key role in achieving this, with its emphasis on traceability and quality throughout the entire production process. As the business continues to grow, further modules can be seamlessly added and integrated with existing ones.

With his experience, Charlie did not require any training with PSL Datatrack but knows that when the time is right he will be able to introduce it to new members of staff and that they will be able to use it quickly and easily thanks to its practical, simple and logical structure.

This is backed up by what he describes as PSL Datatrack's “fabulous” support team, which is on hand to answer any user questions either by telephone, email or via the Internet, by remoting into the Caffyn Engineering system and taking control. “Response times are fast and it's all done in a very friendly, personal and professional manner,” concludes Charlie. “We have a very good reputation as far as delivering on our promise is concerned. In future, PSL Datatrack will play an even greater role in keeping this intact.”