Central Grocers Selects Lawson M3 Enterprise Management System

Lawson Software (Nasdaq: LWSN) announced that Central Grocers Inc. licensed the Lawson M3 Enterprise Finance Management, Supply Chain Management, Customer Sales and Service, and Enterprise Performance Management suites — along with Lawson System Foundation. The grocery wholesaler and distributor will use the enterprise software applications to help consolidate its financial, supply chain and distribution systems; enhance visibility and reporting; and create a strong technology platform for growth.

Formed in 1917 and based in Franklin Park, IL, Central Grocers is a member-owned grocery wholesaler that supplies food and other merchandise to more than 200 independent grocery retailers in the Chicago metro area and northwest Indiana. Operating as a cooperative, it distributes products under national brand names as well as its own Centrella brand.

Central Grocers previously relied on several legacy business systems that lacked the reporting tools necessary to track and analyze data from its expanding operations. “As our business expands, we need a strong technology base that can help us capitalize on new growth opportunities,” said Tim Kubis, chief financial officer, Central Grocers Inc. “The Lawson system offers the functionality we need to help us improve the efficiency and accuracy of our business processes, which can ultimately help us make better, margin-impacting decisions.”