Grill Works Inc. has earned a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and customer service. In 2022, the company became proudly employee-owned, marking an exciting new chapter for both the business and its dedicated employee-owners. Operating out of Southwest Minnesota, Grill Works manufactures high-quality wood vents and flooring accessories in their own facilities, ensuring precision and care in every product.  

Today, Grill Works continues to deliver on its promise to meet the wood vent and flooring accessory needs of customers with unmatched expertise and reliability. 

The Challenge 

Recently, Grill Works faced significant operational hurdles due to outdated technology and disjointed processes. They were relying on Microsoft Great Plains, a 1990s-era system designed solely for accounting purposes, leaving inventory management entirely unsupported. 

Their reliance on spreadsheets and manual processes led to inefficiencies, errors, and an inability to access real-time data. These limitations made it difficult to manage operations effectively across their two manufacturing plants, which operated as separate entities with little integration. Grill Works needed a modern, data-driven solution to streamline their processes, unify operations, and improve decision-making. 

The Solution 

After evaluating multiple options, including NetSuite and Cin7, Grill Works selected Fishbowl Advanced for its robust manufacturing features and cost-effectiveness. Fishbowl’s comprehensive inventory management capabilities addressed their specific needs, offering the flexibility to handle complex manufacturing workflows. 

Key steps in Fishbowl’s implementation process included: 

  • Database Setup and Customization: With guidance from a Sharpe Concepts consultant, Grill Works successfully built a database from the ground up to manage more than 50,000 parts. 
  • Improved Inventory Tracking: Fishbowl’s tools enabled real-time tracking of inventory across both plants, enhancing visibility and efficiency. 
  • Custom Integrations: Grill Works utilized custom solutions, such as Marion’s tool, to manage custom product orders seamlessly. 
  • Streamlined Processes: By leveraging CSV imports and advanced reporting features, the team automated labor-intensive tasks and gained actionable insights into their operations. 
  • Accounting Integration: Grill Works streamlined operations by integrating Fishbowl with QuickBooks Online Advanced, ensuring accurate reporting and seamless inventory-to-finance workflows. 

Fishbowl’s on-site onboarding and support ensured a smooth transition, setting Grill Works up for long-term success. 

The Results 

With Fishbowl in place, Grill Works achieved transformative results: 

  • Faster Order Fulfillment: Order cycle times dropped to an average of 3.9 days, a significant improvement over previous timeline. 
  • On-Time Delivery: By October, the company reached a 99% on-time delivery rate, thanks to improved efficiency and tracking. 
  • Enhanced Data Visibility: For the first time, Grill Works could monitor critical KPIs, like on-time delivery, enabling data-driven decision-making. 
  • Unified Operations: Integration between the two manufacturing plants allowed them to operate as a cohesive unit, streamlining production and logistics. 
  • Reduced Manual Labor: Automation of processes previously handled manually saved time and reduced errors. 
  • Optimized Inventory: Adjustments to inventory stocking improved alignment with demand, reducing waste and enhancing efficiency. 

By using Fishbowl, Grill Works Inc. modernized their operations, unified their manufacturing plants, and significantly improved their efficiency and customer satisfaction. Fishbowl’s tailored solutions empowered the company to overcome long-standing challenges and position themselves for sustained growth.