As the building materials industry faces mounting pressure to modernise operations, the ability to manage product development, supply chains, and distribution networks in one unified system has become a necessity. NetSuite, a cloud-based ERP solution, offers building materials manufacturers an integrated platform that improves visibility, streamlines operations, and scales with business growth.
This blog explores how NetSuite supports innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage for building materials manufacturers—and why it’s becoming the ERP of choice in the sector.
Challenges in the Building Materials Industry
Many building materials manufacturers still rely on outdated systems, disconnected software, and manual processes. These fragmented environments create several operational problems, including:
- High operational costs and inefficiencies: Time and resources are consumed managing separate systems and spreadsheets.
- Manual information exchange: Lack of real-time data sharing between systems like accounting, inventory, HR, and warehouse management.
- Limited visibility: Inability to access key metrics such as profitability by product or customer, due to siloed data.
These challenges hinder a company’s ability to scale, innovate, and respond to market changes. NetSuite provides a unified cloud platform that resolves these issues with real-time visibility and automation across business functions.
Key Features of NetSuite for Building Materials Manufacturers
NetSuite offers an end-to-end suite of tools that support every part of a building materials manufacturer’s operation—from procurement and production to finance, ecommerce, and customer management.
1. Comprehensive Financial Management
NetSuite automates core financial processes like order-to-cash and procure-to-pay. It provides built-in reporting, real-time dashboards, budgeting tools, and support for revenue recognition and multi-entity consolidation.
2. Advanced Inventory and Demand Planning
Intelligent inventory controls and demand forecasting help maintain optimal stock levels and reduce shortages or excess inventory. Dynamic reorder points and real-time alerts ensure manufacturers can fulfill demand without disruption.
3. Streamlined Procurement and SCM
NetSuite simplifies vendor management and purchase order processes. With features like supply chain control towers, engineering change order (ECO) management, and inbound shipment tracking, manufacturers gain visibility and control across the supply chain.
4. Multiple Entity and Global Management
For manufacturers operating across multiple sites or countries, NetSuite OneWorld offers multi-entity consolidation and local compliance support. It handles over 190 currencies and 27 languages, making global operations more manageable.
5. Integrated Ecommerce
SuiteCommerce enables manufacturers to engage in direct-to-consumer and B2B sales with personalised web experiences and self-service portals—critical for businesses expanding their digital channels.
6. Built-In CRM
NetSuite CRM tracks the full customer lifecycle—from lead to order to post-sale service—while providing mobile access for remote sales and service teams.
7. Customisability and Extensibility
With the SuiteCloud Development Platform, businesses can create custom workflows, mobile apps, and extensions. This ensures NetSuite adapts to unique industry processes and business models.
NetSuite's Manufacturing Stairway: A Scalable Path to Growth
NetSuite supports building materials manufacturers through every stage of growth:
- Establish: Core financials, CRM, inventory, and discrete manufacturing.
- Elevate: Add warehouse management, supply chain, payroll, and advanced financials.
- Expand: Implement planning, budgeting, reporting, and production tools.
- Accelerate: Optimise sales, automate fulfillment, and manage complex revenue.
- Dominate: Enable field service, global expansion, and leverage AI capabilities.
This structured approach allows businesses to adopt only what they need—when they need it—keeping costs predictable and ROI high.
Why Manufacturers Are Choosing NetSuite
The value of NetSuite lies in its ability to replace fragmented systems with a unified platform that:
- Enables real-time decision-making with complete visibility.
- Supports global operations with multi-language and multi-currency capabilities.
- Improves operational efficiency through automation.
- Scales with business growth without the need for reimplementation.
- Offers continuous product upgrades and industry best practices.
Manufacturers like Fabrum have credited NetSuite with transforming their operations, providing the visibility, control, and flexibility required to grow sustainably.
Final Thoughts
Building materials manufacturers seeking a long-term technology partner—not just a software solution—are increasingly turning to NetSuite. With integrated tools for finance, manufacturing, supply chain, HR, and CRM, it equips businesses to adapt, innovate, and thrive.
Learn more about NetSuite for Manufacturing and explore how your organisation can streamline operations and drive growth with a unified ERP solution.
