No Stranger to Change
At Beans Best Manufacturing in Ann Arbor, Michigan, owner Julian Carpenter is no stranger to change. His company, specializing in sheet metal and powder coating solutions, was once focused on smaller, custom projects. But just two and a half years ago, things shifted dramatically when they adopted Steelhead Technologies' job shop software. This change didn’t just streamline operations—it completely transformed how the shop operates, helping them take on bigger and more profitable projects.
Julian recalls, “Before Steelhead, we were a different company. We worked on smaller contracts and had to remember everything manually, from parts and orders to labor centers. But now, with the system Steelhead provides, we have a digital model of our entire operation. I know exactly where all our parts are in the process, how many are ready to ship, and which need more attention.”
Going paperless has been a game-changer for Beans Best. The job shop software has allowed them to reduce administrative tasks and focus more on doing the actual work.
“We spend way more of our time doing our jobs now, rather than handling a bunch of stuff before we can even start,” says Julian. The result? Reduced stress, better focus, and a more efficient team. “My stress levels are way lower. I’ve worked in a lot of manufacturing roles, and working at Beans Best has been the best experience I’ve had in fabrication.”
How Data Unlocks Better Business Decisions
One of the most significant benefits of Steelhead's software has been unlocking real-time data to power smarter business decisions. Before, Julian had no way of knowing if they were making or losing money on a job until months later. “Now, I know every job that goes out the door is profitable. I can see individual percentage points of margin rather than just guessing.”
Having access to real-time financial data has put Beans Best ahead of the curve. “We are six weeks ahead of where we used to be in understanding our financial situation,” Julian explains. This allows them to make decisions that benefit not only their team but also their customers, who are often leaders in their industries and demand high standards for quality, on-time delivery, and competitive pricing.
Building Trust with OEMS by Using Technology
Leveraging technology has not only helped Beans Best streamline their shop—it’s positioned them as a trusted manufacturing service provider. By adopting Steelhead Technologies, they’ve matured as a company faster than they could have imagined. “Steelhead has been instrumental in massively accelerating our company’s growth,” Julian says.
The ability to run their operations smoothly and make data-driven decisions has also set Beans Best up to take on more projects and reshore more jobs to North America, supporting the growth of local manufacturing. As Julian puts it, “We are Beans Best, and our plant runs on Steelhead.”
By embracing technology and going paperless, Beans Best Manufacturing is leading the charge in modernizing job shops and taking on more complex, profitable projects—all while contributing to the resurgence of North American manufacturing.
If you are ready to attract bigger and better opportunities to your job shop, contact sales@gosteelhead.com today!
Take a Vacation without a Work Worry
The owner took his first vacation in ages and did not have to stress about work getting done thanks to work order instructions and order visibility.