VAI and Bearing Headquarters Co. Expand Their Collaboration with Seamless ERP Integration

Ronkonkoma, NY, August 30, 2024 – VAI, a leading ERP software developer, and Bearing Headquarters Co. (BHQ), the top single-source supplier of mechanical parts in North America, have partnered to announce BHQ’s successes following the implementation of VAI ERP software solution. Forming a long-standing cooperation, the two companies have worked together to manage essential business tasks at BHQ and maintain the company’s efforts to deliver exceptional customer service.

Based in Broadview, Illinois, BHQ sells the parts and services necessary to maintain heavy machinery operating at peak performance. Manufacturers, distributors, power plants, and industrial facilities comprise the company's diversified customer base, which depends on BHQ for specialized parts needed for machinery repair, maintenance, and overhaul in manufacturing and industrial environments. BHQ provides a range of mechanical power transmission goods, such as adhesives, motors, conveyors, belt drives, chain drives, couplings, and material handling devices, from more than 300 product lines, to satisfy the distinct and varied demands of these industries.

BHQ had been running a significantly modified distribution solution that had become difficult to use. Being a high-touch, customer-focused organization, BHQ has also granted a significant degree of operational independence to its several branches to enable each to cater to the demands of its primary clients.  

The company required a solution that would not only speed up order processing but also centralize inventory and financial data for use throughout the entire organization, all without compromising the branches' ability to satisfy the wide range of needs of the companies it catered to.

The company selected VAI’s ERP solution, a customizable software solution purpose-built to help mid-market companies improve efficiency, boost profitability, and elevate customer service. The software can be fine-tuned to the needs of any business, tying together finance and accounting, inventory, warehouse, sales, and customer service across the organization.

The VAI S2K ERP solution provides the company with a platform for the ongoing modernization and modification of its systems to meet the needs of younger employees who want more mobile options and e-commerce tools. BHQ has come to rely on VAI to support these improvements, noting that changes in technology and the business environment have required BHQ to continually innovate to remain competitive.

"I consider VAI to be an extension of our team,” said Sandy Swaim, Vice President of Information Technology, Bearing Headquarters Co. “From VAI’s skilled programmers and project managers to the efficient help desk support, everybody steps up to assist when we need it. I feel that there’s a true partnership here and having the flexibility of always completing our projects on time is a terrific advantage."

Since the launch, Bearing Headquarters Co. has leveraged VAI’s ERP software to:

• Gain real-time visibility into stock levels to optimize inventory control
• Streamline warehouse processes to reduce errors and increase employee productivity
• Accelerate the fulfillment process and increase labor productivity to bolster ROI
• Reduce workforce churn with an easy-to-use mobile application for intuitive employee training
• Identify sales patterns to make smarter decisions
• Monitor progress towards goals, improve decision-making, and boost revenue and profitability

“We have a true partnership with the BHQ team,” said Pete Zimmerman, North American Software Sales Manager, VAI. “When they need us, we continuously answer the call, providing our long-time customer with new tools to enable BHQ’s employees to focus on providing customers with the service they can count on.”

Learn more about BHQ’s VAI ERP success story, visit: https://www.vai.net/customers/bearing-headquarters

About Bearing Headquarters Co.

Bearing Headquarters Company keeps machinery turning and operating at peak performance. A leading bearing supplier for more than 75 years with an unwavering commitment to customer service excellence, Bearing Headquarters offers more than 300 product lines from major bearing and power transmission parts manufacturers. With a full complement of bearing and power transmission services, from "24/7" troubleshooting and emergency delivery, to equipment repair, gear and conveyor manufacturing, to real time on-line product ordering through BHQ Express—Bearing Headquarters is the leading "single source" mechanical parts supplier in North America. For more information, visit https://www.bearingheadquarters.com.

About VAI

VAI is a leading independent mid-market ERP software developer renowned for its flexible solutions and ability to automate critical business functions for the distribution, manufacturing, retail, and service sectors. VAI's software solutions are backed by a wealth of experience and a reputation for excellence that countless companies rely on. With specific ERP solutions for hard goods, food, and pharmaceutical companies, VAI has helped some of the most recognized companies address key industry requirements and deliver bottom-line results. VAI continues to innovate with new solutions that leverage business intelligence, analytics, mobility, and cloud technology to help customers make more informed business decisions and empower their mobile workforce. For more information, visit https://www.vai.net.