Based in Cincinnati, The Stuart Company is a model for today's lean, modern, technically adept, consumer–focused company. The fifty–year–old service company in the graphic arts industry takes pride in using the latest cross–platform software, CAD and laser cutting machines to manufacture the dies used in making boxes, folding cartons and other commercial packaging.

Business Challenge

With technology comes increased demands, says President and CEO, Rusty Gossard. "The lead times in our industry have shortened and the ability to react quickly to tight customer timelines is a must." And to make that happen Rusty turned to FileMaker Pro 9, upgrading from a previous version in order to take advantage of the new features.

"We use FileMaker in every facet of our operation," Rusty explains. "We use it in sales management for tracking sales and making follow–up calls. It's in our estimating, sales order entry, production scheduling, cost tracking in manufacturing, and shipping."

Die cutters today are very different from their predecessors, but while the company relies heavily on technology and machines to create its products, the human skill of the CAD personnel and the press operators is a vital ingredient. It's a complex blend of people, software and precision cutting machines.

"Today's high speed die cutters require optimal layouts to cut, strip, and blank at their maximum speeds," says Rusty. "If the customer supplies finished layouts, we will review them and may suggest alternatives when appropriate. Without the correct design, layout, or file preparation, all of today's technology is wasted. Our CAD personnel have worked with our veteran press operators to learn what can be done in the design stage to make the job run more efficiently on the die press and gluer."

Successful Solution

For Rusty, the new features in FileMaker Pro 9 have further enhanced the need for speed. "We use both conditional formatting and the PDF generator numerous times in the solutions we have running," he explained. "Conditional formatting is used to highlight dates that require immediate action such as a sales call follow up that wasn't done. We send almost all of our estimates by email. We have a button set up to create the PDF and attach it to the email that is sent to the customer. We also use it to generate an email anytime a shipping document is prepared for a completed job. That email goes to the person who prepares the invoice telling them the job has completed," he notes. "It is much more efficient than waiting for hard copy paperwork get through the system." And he adds the new FileMaker is much easier and faster to use, so that employees get more done, and costs are further reduced.

We use FileMaker in every facet of our operation.

— Rusty Gossard, President and CEO, The Stuart Company

Customer Benefits

"The new improvements in FileMaker Pro 9 are significant," says Rusty, "and are worth every penny. If it wasn't for FileMaker we would probably have to add additional staff to do what we do. It is much more efficient than waiting for hard copy paperwork get through the system."