Running a business where precision and quality are non-negotiable is no small feat. For Koken USA, a leader in high-quality tools for industries like automotive and aerospace, success depended on their ability to deliver uncompromising service to loyal customers. Known for their precision-engineered sockets and tools, Koken had built a stellar reputation since 2012. Their vision was simple yet ambitious: sell tools so good that, as founder Jim Chase famously said, “Once people try them, they’ll never buy anything else.” 

But as Koken grew, booming demand revealed cracks in their supply chain, with rising costs, creeping lead times, and stockouts threatening to derail their hard-earned success. Koken faced a dilemma familiar to growing businesses: how do you keep pace with rising demand without losing the customer trust you’ve worked so hard to earn? They needed a solution that would bring clarity and control to their growing operations, inventory, and demand. That’s when Fishbowl entered the picture. 

Challenge 

Koken’s challenges were twofold. Long ocean freight lead times as well as increasing air freight costs meant stockouts and backorders left customers waiting longer than they’d like. The stakes were high: if they couldn’t get a handle on inventory and sales backorders, they risked losing their competitive edge and loyal clients. “We were constantly playing catch-up, and it was taking a toll on both our margins and our customer relationships,” noted Kathleen Kautz, Koken’s operations manager. 

Koken needed more than just an inventory management system—they needed intelligent insights to anticipate demand, automate decision-making, and get control over their inventory and manufacturing processes. Simply put, they needed a solution that could do it all. 

Solution 

Fishbowl, enhanced with Fishbowl AI Insights, delivered the control and intelligence Koken needed: 

  • Sales Analytics with AI: Fishbowl AI provided predictive analytics, identifying trends in sales backorders, product volumes, and revenue generation. This allowed Koken to avoid customer churn and meet demand proactively. 
  • Low Inventory Alerts with AI Recommendations: With its advanced analytics, Fishbowl AI identified patterns and suggested optimal reorder points, ensuring Koken always had the right stock at the right time. 
  • AI-Enhanced Purchase Order Recommendations: By analyzing historical sales, lead times, and real-time trends, Fishbowl AI Insights recommended precise ordering schedules, reducing costs and minimizing sourcing headaches. 

“With Fishbowl and the AI Insights add-on, we’re not just reacting to problems—we’re predicting them,” shared Koken’s inventory manager. 

Results 

The results were transformative. Fishbowl and its AI Insights add-on didn’t just help Koken keep up; it propelled them to a new level of operational intelligence:  

  • 10% reduction in sales backorders: Koken could deliver on promises without delays. 
  • 7% drop in freight costs: Fishbowl’s powerful demand forecasting and recommendations allowed for higher utilization of ocean freight, leading to decreased freight costs. 
  • 8% increase in sales: Fishbowl’s powerful demand forecasting helped them meet demand and boost revenue. 

“With Fishbowl and AI Insights, we’re not just managing inventory—we’re predicting it,” said Koken’s operations manager. Today, Koken enjoys full visibility, intelligent insights, and seamless control over their supply chain. 

Interested in learning more about Fishbowl and the powerful Fishbowl AI Insights add-on?  

Schedule a demo with our knowledgeable team today!