Managing inventory across multiple locations is a consistent challenge for swine producers. The ability to maintain accurate stock levels and keep operations running efficiently and cost-effectively is necessary for running a thriving business.

LB Pork, a rapidly growing swine production business in Minnesota, found itself facing these challenges as it expanded from 36 to 85 outside locations. Manual inventory processes, combined with workforce diversity and inconsistent packaging formats, created inefficiencies that hindered their ability to scale effectively. By implementing Accu-Trac Repleni-Trac, LB Pork gained improved control over its inventory, saved valuable time, and reduced operational costs. The Accu-Trac Repleni-Trac mobile app gives producers peace of mind with the ability to check inventory and order products on-the-go.

The challenge: Manual inventory checks took up valuable time

LB Pork’s rapid growth made inventory management more complicated. The team relied on manual inventory checks, a time-consuming and error-prone process that could take up to three days to complete at the end of each month. This delay in reconciliation left little room for flexibility and made it harder to make timely decisions about which products to purchase.

Jaimie Johnson, who is in charge of medications and supplies for LB Pork, highlighted another challenge: “We have medications in three different locations. Before [Repleni-Trac], I might have to come and open up doors.” This lack of visibility and control made inventory management frustrating and inefficient.

LB Pork also faced inventory management barriers due to the diversity of its workforce. Many team members spoke languages other than English, including Portuguese, Vietnamese, and Spanish. Training employees to use the manual system was a lengthy process, and the lack of standardization in packaging formats—such as bottles versus boxes—added to the complexity of their inventory processes.

The manual system also made it difficult to anticipate inventory needs. Without real-time data, the team often found themselves reacting to emergencies, relying on costly one-off orders to address stockouts. This reactive approach created inefficiencies and increased costs, straining LB Pork’s resources as the business grew.

The action: Finding and scaling more efficient inventory management

LB Pork recognized the need for a more efficient and scalable solution. With Jaimie’s encouragement, the team turned to Repleni-Trac, a system designed to simplify inventory management while addressing the unique challenges of swine production.

The MWI team worked closely with LB Pork to customize Repleni-Trac to their specific needs as swine producers. In fact, LB Pork is the first MWI swine customer to use Repleni-Trac Accu-Trac; its success with the platform hopefully means more swine producers will follow. Our team at MWI is constantly innovating as we better understand the unique inventory management needs of our swine customers.

The system was configured to accommodate its diverse packaging formats and provided mobile functionality, enabling team members to access real-time inventory data from any location. This mobile capability was particularly valuable, as Jaimie explained: “The versatility is amazing.”

Training the workforce to use Repleni-Trac was seamless, thanks to the platform’s intuitive design. Jaimie remarked, “No matter who they are, setting this up on their phone and showing them how to use it—it’s so easy, and they get it right away.” This ease of use helped the diverse workforce quickly adapt to the system, saving time and ensuring all team members were on the same page.

The result: Significant time savings

Repleni-Trac elivered measurable results for LB Pork. Month-end inventory reconciliation was positively affected. Jaimie reflected on this transformation: “We’ve taken a three-day process and funneled that into a couple of hours. The impact that has is awesome.” For swine producers like LB Pork, managing inventory across multiple sites is no small task. Repleni-Trac offers a comprehensive solution that consolidates inventory data into a single source of truth. This visibility and control enable producers to optimize stock levels, lower costs, and reduce inefficiencies.

The mobile functionality of Repleni-Trac made daily operations more efficient. Team members could check inventory levels and track usage in the field, without needing to physically access storage areas. This flexibility enhanced accountability and provided peace of mind. “Now, when they [employees on site] check it out, I know who it was. I know when it was. It’s bliss,” Jaimie said.

Repleni-Trac’s reporting features also proved invaluable. The system’s advanced reporting tools allowed LB Pork to generate customized reports tailored to their specific needs, providing greater insight into inventory. The system’s automation features, such as real-time tracking and automated reordering, address the specific challenges of fast-paced swine operations. By reducing the need for manual intervention, producers can focus on more strategic aspects of their business.

LB Pork’s experience with Repleni-Trac demonstrates the impact of a well-designed inventory management system. By reducing time spent on manual processes, improving accuracy, and providing real-time visibility, the platform helped LB Pork manage its growing operations with confidence and efficiency. For swine producers looking to streamline inventory management, Repleni-Trac delivers measurable results and lasting benefits.