With over a century of experience, Sturrock and Robson Industries is a proud fourth-generation family business,
renowned for fostering trusted partnerships and delivering excellence across the industrial sector.
To maintain its operational edge in an evolving industrial
landscape, the business recognised the need for a reliable, future-forward ERP system. After careful consideration, they chose Sage X3-a solution designed to enhance operational efficiency and support growth.
Company Background
Sturrock and Robson Industries operates a diverse portfolio of companies across various sectors. Companies under their umbrella include Martin and Robson (SA), LAS and Pandrol.
Martin and Robson (SA) is the primary magnetite partner to the South African coal industry.
They manage the entire magnetite value chain from sourcing to technical support. LAS provides comprehensive and reliable fuel management systems. Pandrol supplies a wide range of high-quality railway products from rail fastening systems to welding equipment.
Sturrock and Robson Industries has a strong leadership commitment to IT modernisation. The management team focus on transforming operations through strategic use of emerging technology.
The company’s previous ERP had several limitations, and they were looking for a stable platform that would be flexible enough to meet their growth requirements. Pre-requisites for the new ERP were substantial. The software must manage complex group structures, industry-specific projects and
transactions across various regions.
“As Group IT Manager, I need to ensure that the IT strategy aligns with the broader business objectives while building an IT infrastructure and services framework capable of supporting the company’s growth ambitions.”
– Nazeem Aberdeen, Group IT Manager,
Sturrock & Robson Industries
Sage X3 Working in the Industrial Sector
After an extensive selection process, Sturrock and Robson Industries chose Sage X3 as their new ERP. One of the main benefits of the Sage ERP is that it can scale with the business as it grows into Africa.
In 2019 Sturrock and Robson Industries went live with Sage X3 hosted in a virtual data centre.
The business upgraded Sage X3 to Version 12 in 2023. This upgrade guarantees access to the latest advancements in ERP technology.
Sage X3 Version 12 offers a scalable, high-performance API framework. The open-source GraphQL query language in Version 12 enables faster deployment of new capabilities. Sage X3’s open architecture is more than a solution for current challenges – it promises future adaptability.
Managing Intercompany Transactions
Sturrock and Robson Industries launched an initiative to streamline intercompany transactions, facilitating the seamless movement of magnetite from Martin and Robson (SA) to global operations and customers.
This project refined processes across the business from inventory management to financial transactions, ensuring efficient coordination and delivery.
From 2024 to 2025, the business is implementing the Sage Project Management (PJM) module.
This advanced module supports all project stages from initiation and quoting to planning and completion. LAS uses the project management functionality to manage their petrochemical and fuel management projects, which typically have a duration of three months to a year. Using PJM, the business can allocate products, resources and any external partners or supplies to a project.
The PJM module from Sage is fully integrated with the core Sage X3 functional areas of sales, purchases, manufacturing, and finance. Being embedded within the ERP processes ensures that the PJM module can provide an overview of the factors required to achieve a project’s objectives. The final step in every LAS project is the signing of a maintenance contract with the customer for the future maintenance of the fuel management systems. These maintenance contracts can be linked to customers and sales orders in Sage X3.
“Sturrock and Robson Industries recognise that technology enhancement is an ongoing process,”
Aberdeen stated, “the business will now focus on streamlining existing workflows. By adopting a phased approach to transformation, the company seeks to enhance operational efficiency while simultaneously prioritising and safeguarding overall system security.”
After choosing Sage X3, Sturrock and Robson Industries is now equipped with a robust ERP solution designed to drive productivity and ensure adaptability in today’s dynamic business environment.
