Westons Cider
Cultivating retail success with Node4 and Dynamics 365 Business Central
The Client
Nestled in old village of Much Marcle in Herefordshire, Westons Cider Mill has been crafting cider and perry since 1878.
Their story began when Mr Henry Weston started making cider and perry from fruit collected in his orchards and used his own shire horses to turn the mills. He made sure there was always cider for the family and farm workers, who brought their wooden ‘costrels’ to the cider house to be filled with the day’s allowance. The cider and perry was so good that people encouraged him to start selling it and thus, Weston’s Cider was born!
Today, Westons exports to over 40 countries, employs more than 200 people, and produces upwards of 46 million pints annually, with a turnover exceeding £58 million.
We were looking for a new technology partner that had a focus in the brewery sector and understood the unique business challenges. Node4 offered the support levels we wanted and had extensive expertise and knowledge of not only Dynamics NAV but also the Drink-IT modules. This was key and became the deciding factor in choosing to work with them.
The Challenge
Westons Cider faced a turning point when their accounting software was due to be retired. Rather than simply replacing it, they saw an opportunity to rethink how technology supported their business. As a producer and exporter with complex operations, they needed more than just finance functionality. They wanted a flexible, scalable solution that could connect departments, support international trade, and grow with them from Much Marcle to Australia.
The Solution
Westons chose Microsoft Dynamics NAV as their ERP platform, thanks to its seamless integration with Drink-IT, a solution tailored to the beverage industry. They deployed Dynamics NAV in 2010 and partnered with us for ongoing support and development.
Paddy Smith, Company Accountant, explains:
"We were looking for a new technology partner that had a focus in the brewery sector and understood the unique business challenges. Node4 (formerly TNP) offered the support levels we wanted and had extensive expertise and knowledge of not only Dynamics NAV but also the Drink-IT modules. This was key and became the deciding factor in choosing to work with them."
Westons implemented Dynamics NAV across finance, sales and marketing, HR, warehouse, logistics and manufacturing. After three years, they saw clear efficiency gains but knew there was more potential. We stepped in to help unlock it.
"We had been using the solution for three years and it had already made a difference to business efficiency but we felt we could be doing more with it… in step Node4 (formerly TNP); the team’s knowledge of the solution is phenomenal and they were very proactive in taking the time to understand our business and always keen to come to our offices. The fact that we are a brewery is purely coincidental I’m told by our Account Manager!"
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The Results
Drink-IT extended Dynamics NAV with modules for quality control, recipe management, packaging, distribution and tax. We tailored these workflows to Westons’ exact needs.
"Node4 (formerly TNP) have helped us to tailor the workflows in the Production and Quality Control modules so they meet our exact requirements. All the cider and perries produced by Westons Cider are made using the workflow processes within the Production module. We then ensure the drinks have been correctly produced by testing using the workflow processes within the Quality Control modules."
Reporting was another area transformed. Dynamics NAV’s built-in reports were useful but limited. We introduced Jet Reports, an Excel-based tool that automated and simplified reporting across the business.
"The manual process of producing reports would feel like one long hangover (something we’re sure has featured somewhere in the Westons history!); Jet Reports has changed this. The time saved through using this one function alone is almost immeasurable. The finance team produce approximately 100 reports each week and we have automated virtually the entire process, with the reports being sent automatically at various times during the week. We have also set up templates for ad-hoc reporting, it is so straightforward that anyone can produce a report."
Future plans include integrating Exceedra, a consumer industry planning tool, and rolling out Dynamics NAV CRM for campaign and opportunity management.
"By carrying out the planned projects, we will have a single source of information across the entire business. All business activity will be mainly conducted on or through, Dynamics NAV, enabling us to produce reports with one version of the truth. For strategic planning purposes this level of clarity is invaluable."
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The Node4 Difference
Operational efficiency has soared. Westons has nearly doubled turnover in five years without increasing headcount in finance. Production planning has reduced stock issues, and business clarity has improved across all regions, including Australia.
"Node4 (formerly TNP) have helped us to augment the solution to our needs because they understand the way the brewery sector works. They are a really great team and although we were already using Dynamics NAV when we partnered with Node4 (formerly TNP), the team has helped us to take the solution to another level. Today, over a third of the Westons Cider workforce use Dynamics NAV at any given time. Within the finance department we have maintained the same headcount for the last few years despite almost doubling turnover across the company, I think that says it all about the efficiencies we have been able to achieve."