ABOUT THE COMPANY

Lamb & Associates Packaging is a family-owned independent box manufacturer based in Arkansas. Founded by Jerry Lamb, the company is now led by the next generation of the Lamb family. Known for its strong customer relationships and service-first mindset, Lamb operates as a sheet plant with a growing customer base, offering both brown box manufacturing and custom digital printing solutions.

 

CHALLENGES

By 2017, Lamb & Associates had outgrown its traditional manual processes. The company was operating without a formal planning function or centralized customer service management. Production schedules were communicated on clipboards and handwritten notes. Despite having Amtech’s older software (Imaginera), the team wasn’t using it to its full potential. Jeff York, who joined from an integrated manufacturer with a systems-oriented background, quickly recognized the cultural and operational gaps.

“We were growing, but we were pushing paper and operating on tribal knowledge,” Jeff recalls. “In order to sustain growth, we had to change.”

 

SOLUTION

With executive buy-in, Lamb made a strategic decision to fully embrace Amtech’s ecosystem—starting with getting the most out of Imaginera, then upgrading to the web-based EnCore ERP platform. Jeff emphasized a phased approach to implementation:

  • Phase 1: Adopt core ERP features for order processing, estimating, production, and shipping.
  • Phase 2: Implement extensions such as ScoreKeeper (for real-time production tracking), Advanced Planning Board (APB) (for load-balanced automated scheduling), and TopGun (for wireless inventory control).
  • Phase 3: Integrate ESKO WebCenter to streamline CAD and job data transfer, and deploy Quality Module for tracking and reporting returns and credits.

A dedicated Amtech project manager played a key role in keeping implementation smooth, budget-aligned, and on track.

BENEFITS & IMPACT

  • Improved Flow and Scheduling
    • Real-time visibility and balanced scheduling eliminated excess WIP and reduced lost or damaged inventory.
    • APB helped enforce load balancing by machine, not just by square footage.
  • Workforce Engagement and Accountability
    • ScoreKeeper introduced digital performance goals. “Now crews have visibility—they want to meet their shift goals, and they’re quick to provide feedback when things aren’t right,” Jeff said.
    • Culture shifted from “just run what we can” to hitting measurable targets.
  • Quality and Data-Driven Decisions
    • Quality Module exposed root causes of issues—billing errors, CS mistakes—once hidden in manual processes.
    • Crediting processes are now documented, reportable, and transparent.
  • Empowered Customer Service and Planning
    • “Available to Promise” (ATP) improved customer communication by booking jobs based on machine capacity rather than generic plant loads.
    • Usage Reports help manage customer-managed inventory and keep slow-moving items under control.
  • Seamless Integrations
    • ESKO integration eliminates dual data entry, ensuring accuracy from design to production.
    • Order readiness feature ensures tooling and materials are prepped before scheduling—improving efficiency and reducing downtime.

“It’s not just software—it’s a tool to transform your business. We didn’t just change systems, we changed the culture. Now, everyone—from the floor to customer service—is aligned and accountable.”
— Jeff York, Manager, Lamb & Associates Packaging

FUTURE PLANS

Lamb continues to focus on cultural transformation and continuous improvement. With the foundation in place, Lamb is exploring greater use of the Estimating Module to standardize pricing strategies and enhance margin visibility. The team is also leveraging digital printing capabilities to expand into the display and POP markets.

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