At Stonewall Kitchen, 14 Years of Microsoft Dynamics NAV Reflected in Strategic, Multi-Channel Growth

For those seeking role models in long-term ERP solution ownership - companies that know how to live with and enhance their software over time to support evolving business needs - York, Maine-based Stonewall Kitchen would be a great place to start.  The specialty food manufacturer has been using Microsoft Dynamics NAV since 1999, when the product was still Navision. They maintain dedicated staff internally, along with a long term partner relationship, to extend and continually adapt their solution. Over time, they have invested in  enhancements, integrations, and upgrades that have supported the growth of the business from two guys at a farmer's market to an enterprise with worldwide distribution and over 400 employees.

We sat down with Andrea Hall, Stonewall Kitchen's information systems director, to learn more about the company's fourteen years with Dynamics NAV, their new Dynamics CRM deployment, and their evolving multi-channel strategy.

MSDW: How has Stonewall Kitchen's business evolved over the years?

AH: At the heart of our business, we manufacture specialty foods.  Jonathan [King] and Jim [Stott] started the business in 1991 as a hobby. They were making jams, jellies, sauces, and giving them as gifts.  Their families were saying 'you've got to do something with this.' They really developed a following as they introduced their gourmet items around New England. And to this day people will still call us saying "I remember them from the farmer's market."  That's where specialty markets started finding them and they started selling wholesale and it's really grown from there.

In 1995 we went to the NASFT Fancy Food Show and exhibited and won awards. At that point our wholesale business really started taking off. And ...