Northern Ireland, September 13, 2025
News Summary
Northern Ireland manufacturer Grays Clip implemented the MRPeasy manufacturing ERP system before taking commercial orders for its ViperClip cable fastening products. The six-month deployment now manages procurement, production planning, barcode labelling, invoicing and serial-number traceability, supporting subcontracted assembly of the ViperClip Gun. Founders moved to digital systems after a decade of development and recent investor funding to ensure quality control, smoother order fulfilment and clearer financial visibility as the business scales into international residential markets. Early benefits include improved inventory control, automated production scheduling, multi-channel pricing and faster returns and root-cause analysis.
Grays Clip installs ERP before product launch to manage global rollout of new ViperClip fastening system
Grays Clip, a Northern Ireland manufacturer of an innovative cable fastener and a battery-powered staple gun, implemented MRPeasy ERP before the first customer orders shipped. The early software deployment came after a decade of product development and a funding boost secured on national television, and it now underpins production planning, supplier quality control, inventory, invoicing and product traceability as the business begins commercial sales.
Why ERP came first
The company chose to put in place an enterprise resource planning system prior to accepting orders in order to avoid the common disruption of introducing new systems while operations are live. The founders evaluated multiple options and selected MRPeasy because it sat between overly complex enterprise packages and overly basic tools, offering a balance of functionality and ease of use suited to a small, fast-scaling manufacturer.
Product and market background
Grays Clip developed a fully plastic cable staple, ViperClip, and a rechargeable, battery-powered staple gun, ViperClip Gun, intended to speed up and increase the safety of fastening electrical cables. The staple is made entirely from plastic so it does not conduct electricity. The tool and consumable combination replaces the traditional process of nailing metal clips one by one, a task electrical installers have performed for decades.
After about 10 years of development work, the founders sought additional capital and wider exposure via a national business pitching television programme. The appearance secured an investment that played a major role in enabling manufacturing and international sales, helping the product reach electricians in multiple markets that use 240 volt supply systems and territories where labour-saving building products are in demand.
Founders and funding
The company was founded by an electrician-turned-entrepreneur and his partner, who together invested personal savings and made significant personal financial decisions to bring the idea to market. External funding from an investor who backed the business during the TV pitch accelerated manufacturing and distribution plans. Additional early-stage backing was provided by a private investor network that has invested into regional businesses, pooling angel capital and hosting regular pitch events to connect investors with vetted companies.
How MRPeasy supports the business
The MRPeasy system was implemented over a period of about six months. The implementation timeline was extended by internal delays rather than the complexity of the software itself. Once live, MRPeasy became the company’s central operational tool, used to track every item from procurement to production to final delivery.
Key operational uses include:
- Serial-number level traceability for each product, enabling returns handling and rapid investigation of any quality inconsistencies;
- Supplier quality monitoring and extra in-house inspections to ensure subcontracted components arrive and perform as expected;
- Production planning and automatic order creation based on projected demand, inventory levels and production capacity;
- Price list management to support different pricing models, such as distributor bulk orders and single-item e-commerce sales;
- Label generation with barcodes for packages to speed packing and shipping operations;
- Invoicing and accounting synchronisation to provide a clear view of pending invoices and cash flow metrics.
Subcontracting and quality assurance
The ViperClip Gun is manufactured by a subcontractor, making quality oversight essential. The ERP records supplier batches, serial numbers and inspection results, and it keeps a digital trail that helps the team pinpoint whether an issue originated in-house or at a supplier. This traceability supports faster corrective actions and clearer communication with manufacturing partners.
Sales channels and order handling
Grays Clip uses a combination of direct e-commerce for single-item sales and distributor channels for bulk orders. MRPeasy’s price list and order management features allow the company to apply different pricing and fulfilment rules depending on the sales channel. The company chose to have the ERP in place before taking orders to ensure stock and staffing decisions could be made with confidence from day one of trading.
Business impact and next steps
The ERP has introduced more meticulous planning and clearer cross-department data flows. The founders report that the system reduces duplicated data entry, provides a single source of truth for inventory and production schedules, and supports ongoing growth as the product moves into new markets. Continued emphasis on quality control, accurate serial-level tracking and automated procurement are expected to remain core operational priorities as manufacturing volumes increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MRPeasy and why was it chosen?
MRPeasy is a cloud-based ERP designed for small manufacturers. It was selected because it offers a balance between usability and feature depth, matching the company’s need for planning, traceability and order management without overwhelming complexity.
When was MRPeasy implemented?
The implementation took roughly six months and was completed before the company started accepting customer orders.
How does the system help manage subcontracted manufacturing?
The ERP records supplier batches, production runs and serial numbers, allowing the team to monitor supplier quality, perform additional in-house inspections and trace product issues back to their source.
What sales channels are supported?
The business supports single-item e-commerce sales plus bulk distributor orders. MRPeasy’s price list and invoicing features enable different pricing and fulfilment approaches for each channel.
How does traceability improve returns handling?
Serial-number-level records and a digital audit trail make it faster to investigate returns, isolate affected batches and communicate clearly with suppliers and customers about corrective actions.
Where can I learn more about the product and the ERP?
Product availability and more technical details are provided by the manufacturer. Information about MRPeasy can be found through the vendor’s public channels.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Proactive ERP deployment | ERP installed before sales began to prevent disruption and ensure accurate order fulfilment from launch. |
| Serial-number traceability | Complete digital trail from procurement through production to delivery, enabling fast returns handling and quality investigations. |
| Automated planning & procurement | Production orders and purchase requirements are generated based on demand, inventory and capacity checks. |
| Subcontractor quality monitoring | Supplier batches and inspection data are recorded to spot and resolve supplier-side issues quickly. |
| Multi-channel pricing | Different price lists for distributor bulk orders and single-item e-commerce sales with integrated invoicing. |
| Labeling and barcodes | Printable labels with barcodes reduce packing errors and speed dispatch operations. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- SyncNI: NI couple strike big on Dragons’ Den with electrician’s invention
- Wikipedia: ViperClip
- The Irish News: Business Angels Network in call for new investors and more pitch candidates
- Google Search: Business Angels Network Northern Ireland
- Insider Media: Angel investment network marks busy first year after backing six companies
- Google Scholar: angel investment network ireland
- IEN: MRPeasy — Dragons’ Den winners implement manufacturing ERP before going to market
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Enterprise resource planning
Author: Construction TX News
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