Case Study: ABX’s Implementation of Katana at MUSHEEZ

Natural Chaga OÜ (commonly known as MUSHEEZ) is a leading European B2B provider of premium, certified organic functional mushroom extracts, operating from a remote location deep within Estonia’s forests. Known for their commitment to exceptional product quality and low MOQs for both ingredients and private label products, MUSHEEZ experienced rapid growth in 2023 and now serves over 50 brands across 20+ countries. MUSHEEZ needed immediate improvements in their operational processes to maintain their high standards and meet increasing international demand.

Before partnering with ABX and implementing Katana Cloud Inventory, MUSHEEZ faced several challenges. The company relied on manual systems, including paper notes and Google Sheets, to manage their operations. While these methods were quick, they were not scalable and led to occasional mistakes, particularly in batch control and traceability. As MUSHEEZ continued to grow rapidly, it became clear that their existing processes were unsustainable, and there was an urgent need to address procurement, sales, and traceability issues to serve their clients more efficiently and comprehensively comply with European organic food control regulations. The reliance on manual processes was causing stress and unacceptable error risks.

ABX Offered A Personal and Personalized Service

Robin Gurney, Director at MUSHEEZ, recognized that ABX stood out by offering a personal and personalized service – something that was considered crucial for MUSHEEZ’s business needs. Unlike other potential solution providers who offered only online support during US time zones, ABX provided face-to-face meetings and one-on-one training sessions tailored to the specific roles within the company. This approach was particularly valuable given MUSHEEZ’s remote forest location, and ABX’s willingness to visit them on-site was greatly appreciated.

But first, the tech stack evaluation…

ABX, particularly Chris, invested significant time in understanding MUSHEEZ’s unique business, products, industry, processes, and specific use cases. This deep dive allowed them to provide highly customized training and integration support. Their dedication to learning about the company’s needs enabled them to deliver tailored solutions that effectively addressed the operational challenges.

“One of the most impressive aspects of ABX’s service was the speed of implementation” claimed Robin. Despite starting the project over the Christmas period, ABX managed to get MUSHEEZ up and running with the Katana system in just 2-3 weeks. This rapid deployment was much faster than the industry average and highlighted ABX’s commitment and efficiency.

Where knowledge became power

ABX’s team, composed of former Katana employees, demonstrated exceptional knowledge and expertise in the Katana system. While MUSHEEZ cannot vouch for their abilities in other tech stacks, ABX’s proficiency in Katana was clear and instrumental in the successful implementation of the system.

Throughout the project, Robin claimed that “ABX maintained a friendly and professional demeanor. They were open to criticism, feedback, and suggestions, ensuring that the implementation met our needs. Their flexibility with pricing was also appreciated, although it remains a significant investment for the company”.

Turning ideas into reality

The implementation of Katana with ABX’s help has led to several notable improvements for MUSHEEZ. The company now enjoys smoother procurement and outsourcing processes, with a significant reduction in the risk of mistakes due to stronger oversight in batch control and traceability. Although it is challenging to measure the increase in efficiency precisely due to their rapid growth, the improvements have been substantial. Additionally, MUSHEEZ now has a stronger foundation for future data analysis, further enhancing their operational capabilities.

“Overall, ABX did an outstanding job, especially considering MUSHEEZ was their first client as a new agency. Their deep expertise in Katana, combined with a personalized approach and efficient implementation, significantly improved MUSHEEZ’s operational processes. The transition from disorganized manual systems to streamlined, scalable processes has reduced errors and increased efficiency, positioning MUSHEEZ for continued growth and success.”