Manufacturing Simplified: How Startup Genforge Tracks Materials with BoxHero
In the fast-paced world of manufacturing, efficiency and precision are key. For startups like Genforge, which specializes in using laser machines to cut various materials, managing inventory effectively can be a make-or-break factor. We sat down with Daniel Kim, Sourcing Specialist at Genforge, to discuss how BoxHero has become an essential tool in their day-to-day operations.
About Genforge
Founded in September 2023 in sunny California, Genforge is a startup focused on the cutting of materials like stainless steel, aluminum sheets, and rubber sheets using advanced laser machines. Despite being a young company, Genforge ships out hundreds to thousands of pieces weekly, making inventory management a critical part of their business.
"With so much inventory lying around, we needed a solution to keep everything in check. My role involves purchasing, so I constantly need to monitor our stock levels, especially for materials like aluminum 6061. With BoxHero, I can quickly check if we have what we need in stock or if it's time to order more."
The Challenge Before BoxHero
Before discovering BoxHero, Genforge relied on Google Spreadsheets to manage their inventory. This method, however, quickly proved to be inefficient.
"It was really confusing," Daniel explained. "We had materials like aluminum and stainless steel, each with multiple alloys. For instance, under stainless steel, we had 301, 304, and 306, each requiring separate columns. Finding specific materials was difficult, and it just didn't work out."
The company was considering switching to Excel when they came across BoxHero.
Why BoxHero?
When Daniel joined Genforge, the company had already made the switch to BoxHero. "Thank God," Daniel remarked with a smile.
"The old method with Google Spreadsheets was really messy. BoxHero stood out to us because it allowed us to easily print barcodes and use QR codes. This made tracking our inventory much simpler."
One of the standout features for Genforge was the ability to scan QR codes using a smartphone.
"It's really nice to just download the BoxHero app, scan the QR code, and have everything in order. No more running back and forth between the warehouse and the office."
Favorite BoxHero Features
For Genforge, BoxHero's user interface and the ability to filter items based on specific attributes, such as material thickness, have been game-changers.
"The biggest thing for us is the thickness of a material," Daniel noted. "We have at least 15 to 20 different thicknesses that we use regularly. With BoxHero, we can easily search for and tag items based on thickness, making it easy to find exactly what we're looking for."
The barcoding feature has also been a significant time-saver.
"Before BoxHero, we had to manually check for items in the warehouse, which involved a lot of unnecessary steps. Now, with barcodes, we can streamline the process and improve our overall efficiency."
The Impact of BoxHero
Since implementing BoxHero, Genforge has noticed a significant improvement in their inventory management processes. Daniel highlighted the UI, the ease of finding items, and the overall improvement in managing their inventory. "If we had to go back to Google Spreadsheets, I would quit," he joked.
Q: What are some ways BoxHero improved the way you manage your inventory?
A: I would say that one's quality of life changed. The user interface is fantastic. Everything we need is right there. The filters are actually useful, and we can quickly find what we want. We primarily use BoxHero to stock in, stock out, and adjust quantities, and I love the UI. The platform makes it easy to do these tasks.
BoxHero: The Way to Go
In Daniel's words,
"If you ever feel like your life is getting too hectic because you own a business or you’re an inventory manager, BoxHero is the way to go.
It makes your life a lot simpler."
For Genforge, BoxHero has not only simplified their inventory management but has also become a key tool that they rely on daily.
As Genforge continues to grow and expand, BoxHero will remain a key component of their operational success, ensuring that their inventory management is as precise and efficient as their laser-cutting processes. ✨
Want to learn more? Join 200,000+ users across the world to start simplifying your inventory operations with BoxHero.
