Northern Ireland, September 13, 2025
News Summary
Northern Ireland manufacturer Grays Clip implemented the MRPeasy manufacturing ERP system before taking commercial orders for its ViperClip cable fastening products. The six-month deployment now manages procurement, production planning, barcode labelling, invoicing and serial-number traceability, supporting subcontracted assembly of the ViperClip Gun. Founders moved to digital systems after a decade of development and recent investor funding to ensure quality control, smoother order fulfilment and clearer financial visibility as the business scales into international residential markets. Early benefits include improved inventory control, automated production scheduling, multi-channel pricing and faster returns and root-cause analysis.
Grays Clip adopts ERP before launch to support global roll-out of the ViperClip system
Northern Ireland-based manufacturer Grays Clip implemented the MRPeasy enterprise resource planning system ahead of the commercial launch of its new cable fastening products, moving to digital operations after a decade of product development and a recent round of investor funding. The decision to implement ERP before taking orders aims to ensure traceability, tighter quality control and smoother order fulfilment as the business scales.
Top-line developments
Grays Clip, founded by an electrician-turned-entrepreneur who developed the ViperClip and the battery-powered ViperClip Gun, completed a roughly six-month MRPeasy implementation and is now using the software to manage procurement, production, serial-number traceability, invoicing and returns. The couple behind the firm invested savings and took financial risks over more than ten years of product design before securing external funding through a televised investor pitch and other angel networks.
Why ERP came in before sales
Business management and operations were intentional priorities for the founders. The chosen ERP was evaluated as striking a balance between usability and functionality, avoiding solutions that were either overly complex or too limited. The in-house lead for systems set a target to have the system live prior to accepting orders to prevent operational disruption and data duplication that commonly occur when systems are implemented under production pressure.
How MRPeasy supports manufacturing and quality
MRPeasy now drives production planning by comparing projected demand against current inventory levels and production capacity, automatically suggesting procurement and manufacturing timings. Manufacturing orders can be created to match forecasted demand and available capacity, which helps ensure the company has adequate stock and staff to meet orders. The platform also generates labels with barcodes, supports multiple pricing models for distributor bulk orders versus single-item retail sales, and synchronises invoicing with the accounting system for cash flow visibility.
Traceability, subcontracting and returns
The ViperClip Gun is subcontract-manufactured, making quality monitoring and product traceability essential. Grays Clip uses MRPeasy to record serial numbers and build a digital trail for each product from procurement through delivery. This traceability supports in-house inspections, supplier performance checks and returns management. When quality issues arise, the digital records help isolate the source quickly, enabling corrective actions either internally or with the subcontractor.
Product and market background
The ViperClip line is a rechargeable, battery-powered staple gun designed to fire fully insulated plastic cable staples that do not conduct electricity. The system was developed to replace the time-consuming practice of nailing metal-tipped clips into timber one at a time. The fully plastic staple addresses safety requirements that call for cable support during fire events and offers potential labour savings in residential construction markets where 240 volt systems are common. Market commentary from the founders highlighted interest in both domestic repair and large-scale residential markets overseas.
Funding and business growth
After a long development period financed largely from personal funds, the business sought external capital through a televised investor pitch and secured an investor who provided a significant equity investment on terms that differed from the founders’ initial proposal. Additional regional angel networks and private investor groups have also been active in backing the business and similar local firms, with pooled investments aimed at supporting early-stage companies with growth potential.
Operational benefits observed
Since going live on MRPeasy and starting shipments, the company reports better planning discipline, improved inventory control and clearer financial visibility. The ERP’s price-list functionality is used to manage different customer channels, and built-in labelling and barcode generation have improved day-to-day packing and dispatch efficiency. The overall effect is a connected operation that reduces manual data entry, improves cross-department visibility, and supports faster response to quality or supply issues.
Next steps and outlook
With systems in place and orders shipping, the business is positioned to scale distribution while keeping close control over product quality. Continued monitoring of subcontractor performance, ongoing in-house inspection routines and reliance on the ERP for planning and traceability are central to the roadmap as the company moves from a long development phase into commercial growth.
Key contacts and further information
Information on the MRPeasy platform is available via the vendor’s public website for organisations seeking ERP solutions for small and medium manufacturers. Grays Clip continues to develop distribution channels and manage production through its newly adopted digital systems.
FAQ
What is the ViperClip system?
The ViperClip system is a cable fastening solution that includes a fully insulated plastic staple and a rechargeable, battery-powered staple gun designed to speed up cable fixing work and reduce electrical safety risks associated with metal-tipped staples.
Why did Grays Clip implement ERP before taking orders?
The company implemented ERP first to ensure integrated workflows, avoid duplicated data entry, enable serial-number traceability, and guarantee quality control and on-time delivery from the moment sales began.
What does MRPeasy do for the business?
MRPeasy manages procurement, production planning, inventory checks, label generation, invoicing synchronisation with accounting, returns management and provides a digital trail for quality and supplier issue resolution.
How does traceability work for subcontracted products?
Each product is tracked with a serial number and associated digital records that document procurement details, production steps, inspections and delivery. This enables quick tracing of any quality inconsistency back to a supplier batch or internal process.
Can the system handle different pricing and sales channels?
Yes. MRPeasy supports multiple price lists so the business can price bulk distributor orders differently from single-item retail sales processed through online storefronts.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Purpose | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Serial-number traceability | Track each product from procurement to delivery | Faster root-cause analysis and returns handling |
| Automated production planning | Create manufacturing orders based on demand, inventory and capacity | Improved stock levels and staffing decisions |
| Label and barcode generation | Produce package labels and barcodes for dispatch | Quicker packing, scanning and order accuracy |
| Multiple price lists | Support different pricing for distributors and retail | Flexible channel pricing and clearer sales management |
| Invoicing synchronisation | Connect invoicing data with accounting | Better cash flow visibility and fewer manual entries |
| Returns and quality workflows | Manage returns and capture quality inspection data | Reduced downtime addressing defects and supplier issues |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- SyncNI: NI couple strike big on Dragons’ Den with electrician’s invention
- Wikipedia: ViperClip
- The Irish News: Business Angels Network in call for new investors and more pitch candidates
- Google Search: Business Angels Network Northern Ireland
- Insider Media: Angel investment network marks busy first year after backing six companies
- Google Scholar: angel investment network ireland
- IEN: MRPeasy — Dragons’ Den winners implement manufacturing ERP before going to market
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Enterprise resource planning
Author: Construction FL News
FLORIDA STAFF WRITER The FLORIDA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionflnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florida and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florida Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida and the Florida Home Builders Association, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Shutts & Bowen LLP. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
