- Manufacturing - Solutions, NetSuite ERP, NetSuite Manufacturing
Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector continues to play a crucial role in both the local economy and its international reputation. Recent figures from Manufacturing NI show that manufacturers accounted for almost half (47%) of all investment supported by Invest NI between 2018/19 and 2022/23, with five of the top ten investors coming from the sector. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also reinforces this strength: in 2021, 37.3% of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Northern Ireland went into manufacturing – more than double the UK average. The sector remains one of the largest contributors to net earnings from FDI in the region.
This level of investment demonstrates both the resilience and the pressures faced by manufacturers. To remain competitive on a global stage, businesses must manage tight profit margins, complex supply chains, and evolving regulations. Traditional, disconnected systems are no longer enough to meet these demands. For this reason, modern manufacturing ERP systems have become essential for businesses looking to adapt, expand, and thrive.
Why manufacturers need ERP now more than ever
Today’s manufacturers need to be efficient and agile. However, many still rely on outdated or siloed manufacturing software systems that slow down processes, create errors, and limit visibility. These challenges not only disrupt production but also prevent companies from taking advantage of new opportunities in a fast-changing market.
NetSuite Manufacturing ERP addresses these issues directly. By consolidating procurement, production planning, inventory, warehouse management, finance, and reporting into one cloud-based platform, it gives manufacturers the tools to gain real-time visibility, automate tasks, and maintain full control over operations.
Designed for modern manufacturing
Unlike older systems that are either too limited or overly complex, NetSuite is built to fit the way manufacturers actually operate. Key benefits include:
• Supply chain management: Improved visibility, accurate demand planning, real-time updates, and stronger collaboration with suppliers.
• Inventory management: Real-time stock tracking and forecasting to ensure the right materials are always available, vital for high-compliance industries.
• Production planning & scheduling: Smarter, data-driven planning that reduces downtime, aligns teams, and boosts on-time delivery.
• Quality control: Integrated checks at every stage of production to maintain consistent standards.
• Scalability: A system that grows with your business, whether expanding into new products, regions, or higher production volumes.
• End-to-end visibility: A single view across finance, operations, and production with access to live data anytime, anywhere.
A proven approach: Supporting growth in Irish manufacturing
One of our Irish clients, a leading producer of high-quality beds and furniture for both retail and hospitality markets, faced the challenge of increasing production output by more than 40%. With thousands of product variations and a fragmented system, managing orders, forecasting materials, and controlling production had become overly complex.
By implementing a NetSuite ERP solution, we connected sales, ordering, finance, and manufacturing into one central platform. The results were transformative:
• Real-time visibility of sales and production data
• Smarter forecasting and improved purchasing decisions
• 20% reduction in time spent by sales teams following up on orders
• Greater ability to track customer buying patterns and deliver a more personalised service
• Reduced errors and waste
With these improvements, the business gained the confidence to pursue expansion while improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. This success story is just one of many examples of how OSSM delivers NetSuite manufacturing projects across Ireland and the UK.
Why OSSM?
As leading NetSuite consulting partners, OSSM has extensive experience in designing and delivering ERP solutions for the manufacturing sector. We go beyond implementation, ensuring every solution is tailored, optimised, and ready to support future growth. From setup through to ongoing support, our goal is to give manufacturers the clarity, control, and confidence they need to succeed.
If you’d like to discuss your current setup, our experts are available for a no-obligation consultation.
Meet us at Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing & supply chain event
We’re delighted to be showcasing NetSuite Manufacturing at the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference on 11 September 2025. The event is an excellent opportunity to see how ERP can simplify operations, automate processes, and help businesses scale.
Our NetSuite experts will be available throughout the day to discuss how the system provides a complete, real-time view of stock, production, finance, and reporting – all within one platform.
Attendees can also:
• Benchmark their current systems against industry best practice
• Receive practical, no-obligation guidance from ERP specialists
• Explore tailored ERP solutions that support their growth goals
If you’re attending, we’d be glad to connect. Book a one-to-one session with our team here.
About the Author
Roger Gribbin
Roger Gribbin is an IT professional with over 25 years of experience in various roles, involving assisting customers with selection projects for ERP, CRM, and BI, as well as hands-on implementation and project management in medium-sized organisations in Ireland. He currently serves as the Sales Director for the Noledge Group.
