Fergus > Case Studies > Transforming J.T. Carter Plumbers with IoT: A Case Study

Transforming J.T. Carter Plumbers with IoT: A Case Study

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Recycling & Waste Management

Use Cases

Personnel Tracking & Monitoring
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services

About The Customer

J.T. Carter Plumbers is a large plumbing business based in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The company was taken over by Duncan Leask and Peter Carter in 2013. Duncan, a certified plumber, gas fitter, and drain layer, had been with the company since his apprenticeship. The company has grown from 8 to 23 staff working across two sites under their leadership. Despite managing up to 600 jobs in any given month, Duncan strives to maintain a work-life balance, switching off from work to spend time with his young family. His vision and passion for the company and its customers have been instrumental in its growth and success.

The Challenge

When Duncan Leask and Peter Carter took over J.T. Carter Plumbers in 2013, they faced significant challenges. The company, one of the largest plumbing businesses in the Waikato region of New Zealand, was struggling with poor cash flow and underpricing its services. The business was primarily paper-based, which was inefficient and time-consuming. Despite Duncan's skills as a tradesman, he lacked the necessary experience in running a business. The company was juggling up to 600 jobs per month, which was a daunting task without the right organizational tools. The challenge was to transform the business, improve cash flow, increase pricing to profitable levels, and manage the high volume of jobs efficiently.

The Solution

The solution came in the form of Fergus, a Job Management Software app. After trying several apps, Duncan found Fergus to be the most effective. J.T. Carter Plumbers integrated Fergus with Xero, making it the primary tool used to run the business. The software handles a wide range of tasks including quoting, invoicing, scheduling, communicating with staff, and managing timesheets. This enabled the company to service up to 30 customers a day and 600 jobs a month. Transitioning from paper-based processes to cloud-based systems was a significant change, but the benefits outweighed the effort. Fergus provided the necessary control and organization that Duncan needed to manage the business efficiently. It also facilitated clear and consistent communication about how each job would be tackled, improving staff and customer management.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Fergus has had a profound impact on the operational efficiency of J.T. Carter Plumbers. The software has streamlined various aspects of the business, from quoting and invoicing to scheduling and staff management. This has not only improved the company's profitability but also enhanced its service delivery. The ease of use of Fergus allowed for quick onboarding of the team, further enhancing productivity. The software has also improved communication within the company, enabling better management of staff and customer outcomes. Moreover, it has provided Duncan with the control and organization he needs to manage the business effectively, reducing stress and allowing him to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Quantitative Benefit

In just one quarter, the company increased its sales by 20-30% through improved organizational efficiency.
The company was able to service up to 30 customers a day and manage 600 jobs a month.
The transition to cloud-based systems saved significant time previously spent on paper-based processes.