The transition from traditional manufacturing to cross-border e-commerce presents both opportunities and challenges for large furniture items. Inventory management, high logistics costs, and multi-platform operations can quickly become overwhelming without the right systems in place. The story of Luoyang Kefeya Furniture Co., a 40-year-old steel furniture manufacturer, demonstrates how implementing an effective ERP system enabled a successful digital transformation and propelled them into the top 20 of their category.
Kefeya embraced the e-commerce revolution by selling large furniture items globally through platforms like Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, and Temu. However, their journey wasn't without obstacles. Inventory management, order fulfillment, and returns processing initially constrained their growth potential.
"We tried many approaches early on but couldn't establish a closed-loop business process," admitted Shao Jing, head of Kefeya's cross-border operations. "It wasn't until we implemented the Eccang ERP system that we properly streamlined all aspects of our e-commerce operations."
Today, Kefeya has established strong market positions in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan across multiple platforms. The ERP system proved instrumental in four key areas:
1. Intelligent Warehouse Comparison: Optimizing Costs and Efficiency
Logistics represents a critical cost factor for oversized furniture items. Kefeya initially struggled with warehouse selection, as manual processes led to errors and inflated shipping expenses that eroded profit margins.
The ERP's intelligent warehouse comparison feature automatically processes orders and selects optimal shipping channels based on final-mile costs and warehouse efficiency. This reduced human error and lowered hidden costs significantly.
"The warehouse comparison tool lets us ship at lower costs, which naturally boosts our sales volume," noted Shao Jing.
2. Smart Inventory Replenishment: Balancing Supply and Demand
Managing supply chains for bulky furniture items presents unique complexities, especially with lengthy transit times. Kefeya previously relied on error-prone Excel spreadsheets that often resulted in either stockouts or overstocking.
The ERP's replenishment system analyzes historical sales and in-transit inventory to generate precise restocking recommendations before shortages occur. This improved Kefeya's inventory turnover dramatically.
"Our inventory turnover period decreased from 70 days to just 38 days after implementation - a remarkable improvement," Shao Jing reported.
3. Global Sales Dashboard: Data-Driven Decision Making
Operating across multiple platforms created visibility challenges. Weekly meetings and manual data compilation meant working with outdated information that hampered strategic adjustments.
The ERP's real-time global sales dashboard provides instant visibility into performance across all markets and platforms, enabling rapid strategy refinements.
"The dashboard gives me clear visibility into each platform's performance like a real-time operations console," Shao Jing explained.
4. End-to-End Process Integration: Streamlining Cross-Team Collaboration
Kefeya's e-commerce operation involves domestic operations, supply chain teams, and overseas warehouse staff. Previously, verbal communication and manual task assignments created inefficiencies.
The ERP system unified all order processing, shipping, inventory, and financial information on a single platform, creating seamless interdepartmental workflows.
"The ERP connects all operational aspects, minimizing ineffective communication and aligning production rhythms with sales cycles," Shao Jing concluded.
Kefeya's success demonstrates how specialized ERP solutions can transform large-item e-commerce operations through cost optimization, inventory efficiency, data visibility, and process integration - proving that even traditional manufacturers can thrive in competitive digital marketplaces.