Customer Success Story – Press release
Hager Companies
Hager Companies streamlines growth and operations with Bluestar PLM
Hager Companies, a leading manufacturer of over 6,000 door hardware products, was challenged with third-party integrations, manual processes, and outdated engineering change management, when they found Bluestar PLM to be the perfect fit. By fully embedding within Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&SCM, Bluestar PLM transformed Hager’s document control, quality management, and cross-departmental data transparency. The result has been a streamlined, scalable system that supports Hager’s commitment to quality and innovation, allowing them to efficiently manage their product lifecycle and lay the groundwork for continued growth.
Hager Companies, located in St. Louis, MO, and Montgomery, AL, is a trusted name in door hardware, producing more than 6,000 products, including electronic access control systems. With over 250 employees, Hager has a longstanding commitment to quality and innovation, driving them to seek solutions that streamline operations and support sustainable growth.
When Hager began searching for a new ERP system, they identified the need for a fully integrated PLM solution. After evaluating several options, Bluestar PLM quickly emerged as the ideal choice. The seamless integration within Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&SCM and the robust functionalities of Bluestar addressed Hager’s key requirements: reducing errors, improving document control, and supporting long-term growth. As Hager is looking to expand its workforce and product complexity, Bluestar PLM’s full lifecycle tracking capabilities have become a vital asset.
Before implementing Bluestar, Hager faced ongoing challenges with third-party integrations causing production errors and inefficiencies. Their previous setup limited critical capabilities, such as embedded document control which left them unable to fully leverage modern functionalities. Additionally, the change management process was fragmented, relying on manual spreadsheets that hindered their ability to track and analyze changes for informed decision-making.
Streamlined processes and improved document control
When implementing Bluestar PLM, the process was streamlined and straightforward. Bluestar’s U.S.-based project manager guided Hager through each step, from timeline planning to data migration, making the transition efficient and worry-free. Hager’s experience with Bluestar contrasted favorably with previous vendors, noting Bluestar’s transparency, responsiveness, and extensive knowledge: “We have been very pleased with Bluestar and will continue to use their services in the future. Compared to other companies we’ve worked with, Bluestar has been incredibly responsive and proactive in addressing our needs.” Says Mark McRae – Director of Engineering, Hager.
Two of the most essential features delivered by Bluestar PLM included comprehensive document control and improved workflows. Transitioning from a manual process, Hager needed a centralized, fully embedded document control system. Bluestar PLM provided this, enabling seamless tracking and utilization of documents across the company. In addition, it has become a lot easier to seek an up-to-date solution by having the ability to track changes and make strategic decisions based on real-time insights in Bluestar PLM.
The baseline for driving future growth
After the implementation of Bluestar Quality Management System (QMS) module, the quality processes have been greatly improved by making it more user-friendly and centralized. Now, quality-related documentation is accessible in a single location, enabling employees to retrieve any document or warranty with ease. Andrew Kirkland, Quality Manager at Hager elaborates: “The quality process has become significantly more streamlined. We estimate that Bluestar has helped us reduce our background work by 50%.”
Furthermore, workflows have simplified document approval tracking, eliminated manual work and ensured that departments can easily access required documents. Using warranties and supplier claims in Bluestar QMS system, Hager can now quickly identify trends, minimizing potential issues. Finally, the QMS dashboard offers a quick view of all relevant data, reducing the time spent on manual reporting.
Iimplementing Bluestar PLM, Hager has optimized their processes, streamlined data access, and established a scalable system that supports growth. Mark McRae of Hager highlights the value of Bluestar’s customization and integration: “After implementing Bluestar, I would definitely recommend it to other companies working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&SCM. The improvements in our customer service, warranty tracking, and overall process visibility have been invaluable.”
