Rockwell Automation Inc. (NYSE: ROK) reported that Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company has achieved production improvements using the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform, according to information shared at the Ice Cream & Cultured Innovation Conference.

The Wisconsin-based ice cream producer implemented the platform to replace two separate tracking systems that required manual data entry and did not communicate properly. Since adoption, the company achieved 95% inventory accuracy, representing a 27% improvement, reduced raw material inventory by 18%, and cut on-hand inventory management work by 3-4 hours.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, founded in 1962 in Madison, Wisconsin, supplies ice cream to more than 800 scoop shops and restaurants nationwide, as well as private-label manufacturers. The company operates four ice cream parlors and a manufacturing plant that produces more than 100 ice cream flavors.

"One of the biggest functions the Plex platform has helped us improve is inventory management," said Sarah Deadman, chief operating officer at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company. "Previously, inventory was tracked using multiple systems and employee knowledge."

The Plex Manufacturing Execution System provides real-time production data access throughout the manufacturing facility. The platform's Batch Management functionality enables staff to monitor product loss and waste factors. The Plex Quality Management System replaced paper-based quality tracking, enabling instantaneous traceability instead of hours-long processes.

Michael Hart, head of product for industry strategy and growth at Rockwell Automation, stated that the platform provides manufacturers with operational visibility and efficient working methods. The company is exploring further automation of production operations as it continues business growth.