At TORQ, we’re honored to be joining forces with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) as a member of their Manufacturers Innovation Growth Council. This collaboration provides us with a unique opportunity to share our expertise in complex B2B ecommerce, Product Information Management (PIM), and the urgent need for manufacturers and distributors to modernize their digital experience.
Digital solutions—like PIM systems and ecommerce platforms—help businesses stay nimble, enabling them to quickly adjust product offerings, prices, and supply chain plans in response to changing regulations. In an era of shifting global trade dynamics, business mergers/acquisitions and mutli-brand management, digital purchasing expectations, tight margins and the need for highly efficient operations—flexibility in both business models and technology is essential for long-term survival and growth.
Flexibility Is Key: Adapting to Market Changes
As global trade policies evolve, it’s vital for manufacturers to be able to adapt quickly. Government regulations, such as tariffs or new trade agreements, can alter the cost structure and operational strategies. Implementing the right ecommerce platform that supports rapid changes to cross-border commerce and trade compliance is a smart decision. B2B ecommerce is about empowering customers with self-service orders. Digital experiences and product information management will be a game changer for your business.
A digital infrastructure empowers manufacturers to respond swiftly to changes in trade regulations, keeping business operations smooth and minimizing disruptions. Digital tools give companies the agility to update catalogs, pricing, and workflows in real time, allowing them to stay competitive and meet new challenges head-on.
Balancing OpEx vs. CapEx in the Digital Age
As businesses face tightening margins, finding ways to invest in innovation and future-proof your business while managing costs for EBITDA profitability becomes critical. One of the ways companies can improve their financial flexibility is by opting for technology solutions with annual subscription fees (OpEx) instead of making large upfront capital investments (CapEx).
OpEx models provide predictable costs and eliminate the need for heavy capital expenditures. This allows manufacturers to scale their operations without straining their budget or tying up cash in hardware and software. However, many ecommerce platforms take a percentage of revenue, which cuts into your sales margins thereby reducing your revenue numbers. A predictable annual cost is often preferred by finance leaders.
There are also some Canadian government programs that reimburse manufacturing businesses for investments in technology. Review the current policies and opportunities on this CM&E page: Supporting Business Scale-Up and Technology Adoption — CME
Digital B2B Sales: Streamlining Orders and Improving Customer Experience
For B2B manufacturers and distributors, one of the most persistent challenges is the time-intensive process of managing complex orders. Traditionally, order processing can take weeks, with manual handling of customized products and bulk orders. However, digital ecommerce portals can streamline this process, reducing order time from weeks to mere minutes. Shopware is our preferred platform, leading the ecommerce industry in it’s B2B ecommerce innovation capabilities: Mastering B2B-Commerce with Shopware B2B Components | Shopware
By implementing a self-service sales portal, manufacturers and distributors can enable their customers to place orders, configure products, and even customize their orders independently. This reduces the strain on customer service teams, increases order accuracy, and enhances customer satisfaction. Not only does this speed up the order-to-cash cycle, but it also frees up valuable resources to focus on higher-value tasks, such as relationship building and customer support.
In addition to improving operational efficiency, this self-service sales model can increase your brand exposure with online search and marketing strategies to expand your reach and drive inbound demand. When customers find it easier to do business with you, they’re more likely to return for repeat purchases, and your business gains a reputation for being efficient and easy to work with.
Overcoming the Challenges of Legacy ERP System Integration
Many manufacturers are still working with legacy ERP systems, which can pose integration challenges when implementing new technologies like ecommerce platforms or PIM systems. Integrating modern systems with older ERP solutions requires careful planning and execution to ensure seamless data flow across platforms.
TORQ specializes in helping companies overcome these challenges – integrating new technology solutions with existing systems. Our team works with manufacturers to ensure smooth integration, allowing businesses to benefit from the efficiency and capabilities of modern tools while preserving their existing investment in ERP systems.
We are a Canadian company with a 100% dedicated onshore team committed to helping Canadian manufacturers and distributors evolve their operations with innovative digital technologies. Whether it’s ecommerce, PIM, or ERP integration, we understand the unique challenges faced by businesses in the manufacturing sector. We work closely with our partners to customize solutions that help streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and accelerate growth.
Our mission is to help manufacturers scale efficiently while adapting to the changing demands of the global marketplace. With the right tools and strategies in place, businesses can improve customer satisfaction, enhance operational efficiency, and unlock new revenue streams.
The future of manufacturing is digital, and we’re here to help guide Canadian manufacturers toward success in this evolving landscape. We’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to helping our partners thrive in a competitive, technology-driven world.
