Fergus > Case Studies > Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Growth: Smith Brothers Building Case Study

Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Growth: Smith Brothers Building Case Study

Technology Category

Sensors - Flow Meters
Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Cement

Use Cases

Building Automation & Control
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

Training

About The Customer

Smith Brothers Building is a construction company based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. The company, owned by Luke Smith, specializes in designer renovations and bespoke entertainment areas. Luke, originally trained as a butcher, followed his family's lineage of tradesmen to become a qualified carpenter/builder. After gaining experience in commercial buildings and designer homes, Luke decided to start his own company, Smith Brothers Building, with his younger brother Nicholas. The company takes on a significant number of small-sized projects annually, up to an estimated 60 per year.

The Challenge

Smith Brothers Building, a construction company based in New South Wales, Australia, was facing several operational challenges. The company, led by Luke Smith, was managing a significant number of projects annually, which required extensive project management. The use of Excel for tracking jobs was proving to be inefficient, leading to double handling and making real-time tracking almost impossible. Scheduling the team was a time-consuming process, often requiring multiple calls or texts to ensure everyone was aware of their assignments. Additionally, understanding the profitability of individual jobs was difficult, making it hard to gauge the overall financial health of the business. The company was in dire need of a solution that could streamline their operations, improve project tracking, and provide better financial visibility.

The Solution

The company decided to adopt Fergus, a Job Management Software, based on a recommendation from a fellow tradesman. The fact that Fergus integrated seamlessly with Xero, a software they had been using for two years, made the decision easier. The transition to Fergus was smooth, with Luke making use of online training to understand the product and customize it to suit his business needs. Fergus provided a comprehensive financial summary, giving Luke visibility into the status of any given project. It allowed him to identify whether labor or materials were being overlooked, thereby improving the quoting process. The software also reduced the time spent on data entry when quoting, thanks to its 'Favourites' feature. Fergus also provided detailed information on work in progress and cash flow, which helped Luke secure Home and Builders Warranty Insurance, enabling him to take on larger projects.

Operational Impact

The adoption of Fergus has led to significant operational improvements for Smith Brothers Building. The software has streamlined project management, making it easier to track jobs in real-time and reducing double handling. Scheduling has become less time-consuming, with the Fergus calendar allowing for easy mapping out of jobs and labor allocation. This alone has saved hours off Luke's working week, freeing up more time for training apprentices and personal activities. The software has also improved the quoting process, with the ability to identify whether labor or materials have been overlooked. Overall, Fergus has provided the clarity needed to make better business decisions and has set a solid foundation for the company's growth.

Quantitative Benefit

Fergus reduced the time spent on data entry when quoting, leading to significant time savings.
The software provided detailed financial summaries, improving visibility into project status and profitability.
Fergus helped secure Home and Builders Warranty Insurance, enabling the company to take on larger projects.