# BONUS: From Spreadsheets to MRP: How SMB Manufacturers Are Improving Visibility to Inventory and Costs with MRPeasy

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-04-24
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Shane Dubbelman of MRPeasy and Sara Duff of Smart Manufacture discuss the transition from spreadsheets to MRP for small to midsize manufacturers. They explain why MRP is often a better fit than ERP for companies with 10-200 employees, focusing on manufacturing-specific needs like inventory and cost visibility. The episode highlights case studies, including a CNC machining shop that avoided burnout and an intumescent fire door seal manufacturer that achieved 25% growth without significant headcount increases after implementation.

## Chapters

- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=46) Introduction: MRPeasy and Smart Manufacture Overview
- [2:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=147) Defining MRP vs ERP for Small Manufacturers
- [6:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=416) Challenges: Spreadsheets, Inventory, and Cost Visibility
- [12:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=769) MRPeasy's History as the First Cloud-Based MRP
- [16:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=979) Case Study: CNC Machining Shop and Operational Chaos
- [19:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=1144) Hidden Costs: Scrap, Defects, and Stock Management
- [21:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=1277) Case Study: Fire Door Seals and 25% Growth
- [26:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=1595) Traits of Successful Scaling: Leadership and Mindset
- [29:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to#t=1774) Implementation: Self-Serve Tools and User Manuals

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- MRPeasy (product)
- Smart Manufacture (company)
- MRP (other)
- ERP (other)
- UK (other)
- Indiana (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#068 - Challenges of small manufacturers to organise their production and inventory, with Kristjan Vilosius of Katana, Estonia](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2019-05-15-068-challenges-of-small-manufacturers-to-organise-their-production-and-inventory) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [Why Sticky Notes and Spreadsheets are not a CRM](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-03-15-why-sticky-notes-and-spreadsheets-are-not-a-crm) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [You Don't Have a Capacity Problem — You Have a Visibility Problem, Ep #44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-07-03-you-dont-have-a-capacity-problem-you-have-a-visibility-problem-ep-44) (Lights Out)
- [MEP Impact: Empowering Small Manufacturers with Training, Partnerships and Advocacy w/ Pete Connolly](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-09-02-mep-impact-empowering-small-manufacturers-with-training-partnerships-and-advocac) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Building a Digital Backbone for Your Manufacturing Business w/ Paul Van Metre](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-04-16-building-a-digital-backbone-for-your-manufacturing-business-w-paul-van-metre) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-24-bonus-from-spreadsheets-to-mrp-how-smb-manufacturers-are-improving-visibility-to. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Manufacturing Happy Hour.