Location/Region: North Bergen, NJ
Industry: Manufacturing
Apps implemented: CRM, Sales, Inventory, Accounting, Project, Manufacturing
Software
Replaced: NetSuite, Macola
Company size: 20
Hosting type: Odoo Online
Imagine the challenge of being in charge of running a family business with outdated technology that was neither user-friendly nor customizable. That was the reality for Michelle Megala when she took over Hickory Industries at just 23 years old. Now, with Odoo, this specialty kitchen equipment manufacturer is leveraging modern technology to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and better serve its global customers.
Founded in 1946 by Hungarian immigrants who fled World War II, Hickory Industries has been manufacturing top-of-the-line commercial kitchen equipment, specializing in rotisserie ovens and churrasco grills. Unlike competitors, all of Hickory’s products are proudly made in the United States.
Over the decades, the company has always prioritized excellence by focusing on a select range of products, perfecting them, and building strong relationships with major food chains, including Boston Market, which once placed thousands of units across its locations nationwide.
“Our commitment to customer service and high-quality manufacturing remains at the heart of our operations. We talk to our customers all the time. That’s what sets us apart.”
Today, the company serves customers worldwide, with key markets in the United States, the Caribbean, Central America, the Philippines, and Europe. Their commitment to customer service and high-quality manufacturing remains at the heart of their operations.
Outdated systems held
Hickory back
Before Odoo, Hickory Industries relied on an outdated version of Macola, a system dating back to the early 2000s. The inefficiencies were staggering - processing just five invoices took an hour, and applying payments was equally time-consuming. Manual data entry into spreadsheets led to frequent errors, especially when tracking booked orders.
Additionally, the system was far from user-friendly. ERP solutions often present a steep learning curve, making business management daunting, especially for a young leader like Michelle. The lack of automation meant that every transaction had to be processed manually, adding unnecessary complexity to daily operations.
"ERP systems feel like they have a barrier to entry. There are 20 steps just to apply a payment or create an invoice, and it’s not intuitive."
A turning point: Finding Odoo
Michelle first came across Odoo in an unexpected way, through a customer's email signature that read "Powered by Odoo." Intrigued, she looked into it further. Another major trigger was spotting an Odoo billboard near Newark Airport, its bold purple design standing out among the usual corporate advertisements.
Before choosing Odoo, Hickory Industries briefly switched to NetSuite, but the experience was disappointing. Unlike Odoo, NetSuite didn’t allow prospective customers to test the system beforehand, making it difficult for Michelle to evaluate its functionality.
With Odoo, she could explore the platform before committing, experimenting with different applications and features. This hands-on approach made all the difference, giving her the confidence to make the switch.
"I was able to test Odoo before putting a dollar down. That gave me the confidence to say, ‘Yes, I want this.'"
Since implementing Odoo, Hickory Industries has seen significant improvements across multiple facets of the business:
- Faster invoicing: "What used to take one person an hour every day (five hours a week) now takes just 45 minutes for the entire week. Now, entering the UPS number, verifying details, and pressing 'invoice' is all it takes. For 50 invoices, the time savings were massive, cutting the process by a factor of five or even ten."
- Efficient payment processing: No more manual credit card entries, transactions are now seamlessly integrated. “We are no longer losing 500 orders if someone doesn't answer the phone.”
- Eliminated spreadsheet errors: Automated tracking ensures accurate and up-to-date booking reports.
- Streamlined workflows: The intuitive design has removed unnecessary complexity, making day-to-day operations more manageable. “I have automations that send past due messages every five days, every 10 days, every 15 days. It feels like an employee is working while I'm sleeping.”
“NetSuite was ridiculously priced for a small business like mine, it just wasn’t sustainable. Every year, the cost went up, and adding new features, like commissions for my sales team, meant paying an extra $500 a month for plugins. Instead of helping me grow, it felt like I was dragging a 10,000-pound weight. With Odoo, it was different. The price made sense, and as I explored the system, I started generating new ideas, it opened up possibilities rather than limiting them."
Looking to the future
These operational enhancements have allowed Hickory Industries to focus on innovation and customer service rather than wrestling with outdated technology.
The company aims to optimize its CRM system to better track sales opportunities and set clear performance targets. Once the sales function is streamlined, the company will shift focus to enhancing its use of the manufacturing app, which is currently not well integrated.
In the long term, Michelle’s vision is to establish a self-sustaining operation where day-to-day functions run efficiently without requiring constant oversight. The goal is to increase revenue while also building a system that allows leadership to monitor key metrics remotely through Odoo. By ensuring that sales, production, and logistics operate seamlessly, the company aims to create a business model that provides both growth and stability, allowing leadership to focus on strategic expansion rather than daily management.
Hickory Industries' journey showcases how modern ERP solutions streamline operations and drive growth. If your business is struggling with outdated systems, it may be time to explore how Odoo can help you work smarter, not harder.
