Camco Manufacturing Selects RELEX Solutions to Transform Demand, Inventory, and Supply Planning
Camco Manufacturing, a leading innovator in the aftermarket parts industry renowned for engineering advanced technology solutions that make outdoor living simpler, safer, and more enjoyable, has announced a strategic partnership with RELEX Solutions. This collaboration aims to implement RELEX’s unified demand, supply, and inventory planning platform across Camco’s operations, marking a significant milestone in Camco’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
Driving Innovation in Outdoor Living with Advanced Supply Chain Planning
Camco has long been recognized for its ability to innovate in the manufacturing of aftermarket parts, serving a broad customer base that demands high product availability and timely delivery. As the outdoor living market continues to evolve and customer expectations rise, Camco identified the need for a more robust, data-driven approach to its supply chain management. Traditional planning methods—largely manual and spreadsheet-dependent—were limiting the company’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to changing market demands.
To address these challenges and position themselves for scalable growth, Camco turned to RELEX Solutions, a globally respected provider of integrated retail and supply chain planning software. RELEX’s platform offers a sophisticated suite of tools designed to unify demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization into a single, cohesive system. This integration is essential for companies like Camco that manage thousands of SKUs and complex distribution networks.
Unlocking the Power of Machine Learning and Collaborative Forecasting
At the heart of RELEX’s offering is its advanced use of machine learning (ML) for demand forecasting. By analyzing historical sales data, seasonal trends, market signals, and external factors, RELEX’s ML algorithms generate highly accurate demand forecasts. For Camco, this means a transformative improvement in their ability to predict customer demand across their diverse product lines.
Moreover, RELEX’s collaborative forecasting capabilities allow Camco to engage more deeply with their key retail partners. Instead of isolated planning processes, Camco and its customers can now collaborate in real-time, sharing insights and adjusting forecasts dynamically. This collaborative approach reduces forecast errors and helps align production schedules with actual market demand, minimizing excess inventory and stockouts.
Danielle Conner, Camco’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasizes the importance of this shift: “Our decision to select RELEX Solutions is a positive step in Camco’s IT transformation. RELEX offers us the advanced technology and supply chain expertise that we need to further improve our forecast accuracy, optimize production, and reduce inventory costs, all of which is allowing us to better serve our customers.”
A Unified Platform Supporting Nationwide Distribution
Camco operates three distribution centers strategically located across the United States, serving customers with a wide range of aftermarket parts and solutions. Implementing RELEX’s unified platform across these centers will lead to substantial improvements in operational performance. The platform will not only enhance forecast accuracy but also optimize production schedules and inventory levels.
A key benefit is the system’s ability to maintain ideal safety stock levels—buffer inventory designed to absorb demand fluctuations and supply delays—without unnecessarily inflating carrying costs. This balance is crucial in a sector where product availability directly impacts customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
By ensuring the right products are produced and stocked in the right quantities, Camco aims to streamline their supply chain operations, reduce waste, and improve service levels across the board. The integration of demand, inventory, and supply planning into a single system will provide Camco with a holistic view of their supply chain, enabling smarter, faster decision-making.
Modernizing Planning with Automation and Scalability
One of the primary drivers behind Camco’s selection of RELEX is the company’s broader IT transformation strategy. Camco has committed to modernizing its internal systems by replacing manual, spreadsheet-heavy processes with automated, scalable software solutions. This transition is expected to yield immediate benefits in efficiency and accuracy.
Currently, demand and inventory planning processes require significant manual input and frequent adjustments, which can lead to delays and errors. RELEX’s automation capabilities will reduce the need for manual intervention, freeing up Camco’s supply chain team to focus on higher-value activities such as strategic planning and customer engagement.
The platform’s scalability also means that Camco can seamlessly manage approximately 4,000 SKUs, adapting quickly to changes in product mix, seasonality, and customer demand. Seasonal peaks—common in the outdoor living market—can be planned for more precisely, reducing the risk of stock shortages or excess inventory.
Enhancing Collaboration with Retail Partners
Camco’s choice of RELEX also signals a strategic focus on closer collaboration with its retail customers. In today’s competitive marketplace, fostering strong partnerships with retailers is essential for success. Collaborative forecasting, enabled by RELEX, allows Camco and its customers to share data and insights transparently, improving alignment on demand expectations.
This level of collaboration helps all parties optimize inventory levels and reduce the bullwhip effect—a common problem in supply chains where small changes in demand cause increasingly larger fluctuations upstream. By smoothing out demand signals, Camco and its retail partners can work more efficiently, reduce waste, and enhance overall supply chain resilience.
Expert Support from RELEX and London Consulting Group
To ensure a smooth and successful implementation, Camco is partnering not only with RELEX but also with London Consulting Group, a trusted advisor with deep expertise in manufacturing supply chain transformation. London Consulting Group brings specialized knowledge to the project, helping tailor the RELEX platform to Camco’s unique operational needs.
Daniel Campos, CEO of London Consulting Group, highlighted the value of this collaboration: “We are thrilled to support Camco in enhancing their forecasting processes and strengthening alignment with crucial customers. Our experience with top-tier manufacturers allows us to maximize the benefits of the RELEX platform, helping clients eliminate waste and improve supply chain efficiency.”
The combined expertise of RELEX and London Consulting Group ensures Camco will realize maximum return on investment from this new supply chain technology.
A Vision for Future Growth and Customer Satisfaction
Looking ahead, Camco’s deployment of RELEX is more than a technology upgrade; it’s a strategic enabler for future growth and enhanced customer service. By leveraging cutting-edge demand forecasting and inventory optimization tools, Camco is positioning itself to better meet evolving market demands and customer expectations.
Mikko Kärkkäinen, CEO and Co-founder of RELEX Solutions, reflected on the partnership: “Camco’s commitment to operational excellence and growth reflects a shared vision. We’re pleased to bring the proven success of RELEX in forecasting accuracy and adaptable, no-code planning solutions to Camco’s supply chain. We look forward to supporting them in delivering value to their customers and retail partners both now and in the future.”
With RELEX’s platform integrated into their operations, Camco can expect to see not only improved forecast accuracy and reduced costs but also greater agility in responding to market changes. This will enable Camco to maintain its leadership in the outdoor living aftermarket parts industry by consistently delivering products that customers want, when and where they want them.
