An interview with Hoffman Nursery CEO, David Hoffman

Q: Hoffman Nursery has been in business for over 38 years. What challenges led you to look for a professional software system?
CEO, David Hoffman: As our business expanded, balancing supply and demand became a major challenge. One of our biggest issues was making sure we had just the right amount of material to match demand. Overselling could create bottlenecks while underselling led to wasted resources—especially during our busy seasons.

Seasonal pressures added even more complexity. "Peak seasons are intense, and last-minute delivery changes can throw everything off. We were constantly playing catch-up," as I like to say.

Another issue was financial complexity. With tight profit margins, we needed a clearer picture of costs, including labor, materials, and operational overhead.

Finally, preserving institutional knowledge became a priority as our founder approached retirement. "We didn't want to rely on people remembering how we did things. It needed to be documented and accessible for the future."

David Hoffman

Q: Why did you choose Agriware ERP as your solution?
David Hoffman: Our industry is highly labor-intensive, and these tools can not only help address labor constraints but also ensure we are maximizing efficiency every step of the way. We have a lot of data, but trying to go through it ourselves, on top of all the other work we have, feels like trying to move a mountain. Agriware gave us the ability to make decisions based on data. Agriware ERP was the clear choice because it was the best fit for our labor-intensive operations.

Q: How has Agriware ERP improved inventory management?
David Hoffman: Agriware allows us to combine production planning with demand reviews, ensuring we always have the right amount of material on hand.

As we pair production planning with reviewing demand, hopefully, that will increase our ability to be flexible up and down so as to always have the right amount of material to match demand.

Features like job-ready and expiration dates make it easy to align availability with customer orders, even when delivery schedules change.

The system makes it so easy to cross-reference what's available and what's needed, especially when customers want to shift delivery dates.

It also provides insights into restocking needs. For example, once we're fully using material inventory, we'll have a better understanding of order lead times and restock requirements.

Q: How has the system helped with financial decision-making?
David Hoffman: Agriware's advanced costing tools give us visibility into all production expenses, including labor, materials, and overhead like heating and electricity.

Now we can calculate costs for different scenarios, like producing more in winter versus summer, and plan accordingly.

This clarity helps us make smarter decisions. If you have one price for all production rounds, you need to know where the profit lies for each season. Agriware makes that clear.

Q: How does the system support growth and knowledge retention?
David Hoffman: Agriware's modular approach makes it easier for us to grow and adapt. It also serves as a digital record, documenting how and when we produce our plants.

As our business evolves, it will serve as a record for how and when we produce our plants. People won't have to 'remember' how we did things because there's a record.

This has been particularly important as we transition leadership and preserve the knowledge built over decades.

Q: What results have you seen since implementing Agriware ERP?
David Hoffman: The results have been clear.

Real-time insights ensure we always have what we need, when we need it, without much waste or stockouts.

We've minimized delays and errors, especially during peak seasons, and customers appreciate the reliability. We now have a detailed view of costs, helping us plan smarter and stay profitable year-round.

And most importantly, the all-in-one system has prepared us for growth. "We're ready to take on larger orders and new opportunities. Agriware has given us the confidence to scale."

Q: How has working with the Agriware team been?
David Hoffman: Working on-site and remotely with the team behind the software has been a clear benefit. They know it inside and out, and they've shown us best practices of other plant nurseries to use it. Their support saves us time, which ultimately saves them time too.

With Agriware (Based on best-in-class Microsoft Dynamics), Hoffman Nursery has not tackled its challenges but is now well-positioned for growth and long-term success, as the industry shifts toward a more integrated approach of digitalization, robotics, machinery, operations, and finance.