ERP transparency drives quality, speed in specialised manufacturing: Extel

Oracle NetSuite enables full traceability and quicker delivery for specialised clients.

Maintaining uncompromising quality standards whilst scaling operations in highly regulated sectors such as defence and medical manufacturing remains one of Extel Technologies’ biggest challenges, its CEO, Bruce Fitzgerald, said. Speaking at the sidelines of SuiteWorld, he said Oracle NetSuite’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform has been critical in helping Extel capture and trace data across its processes.

Fitzgerald explained that before adopting the system, information capture had been manual and time-consuming. “Without an Oracle NetSuite platform, we’re having to do that manually in spreadsheets,” he said.

He added that automation through the platform’s warehouse management system allows Extel to track and trace components from the receipt of goods through the entire manufacturing process. “It allows us to provide a full turnkey solution… and full traceability.”

With operations in Australia and the US, Fitzgerald said supply chain transparency has become essential. “We’ve seen many challenges in supply chain, particularly in electronics, over the last three or four years,” he said. He noted that NetSuite’s OneWorld platform provides “total transparency” across subsidiaries, helping the company consolidate data, monitor demand, and respond faster.

He said this visibility enables Extel to move from a reactive to a proactive stance when working with clients. “We can simply consolidate via the OneWorld platform and drill into the detail to understand what the requirements are, and then… take a very proactive position with our clients,” he said.

Fitzgerald said Extel aims to strengthen collaboration and speed for customers in Asia. He explained that clients increasingly expect manufacturers to deliver products in shorter timeframes. “Clients… are wanting us to manufacture those in a reduced timeframe,” he said. He added that NetSuite helps Extel gather information quickly, make informed decisions, and accelerate time-to-market.

Fitzgerald said this focus on collaboration, transparency, and quick turnability will remain central to how Extel supports specialised industries and expands across international markets.