Twincraft Skincare

Twincraft Skincare benefits from a truly customized IT solution designed by simpleroute, going above and beyond typical managed service providers. This tailored approach ensures their manufacturing and business operations run smoothly and securely, allowing Twincraft to focus on developing and producing high-quality skincare products.

Twincraft Skincare is a leading custom contract manufacturer specializing in premium, natural skincare products. With over 50 years of experience and a team of over 400 employees, Twincraft partners with businesses of all sizes to develop and produce innovative skincare solutions, including bar soaps, cleansers, and deodorants. From initial formulation to final packaging, Twincraft maintains rigorous quality control throughout the entire product lifecycle. Committed to sustainability, the company prioritizes environmentally responsible packaging and production practices. Twincraft’s dedication to innovation, quality, and client collaboration has solidified its position as a trusted leader in the personal care industry.

Challenges: Navigating Growth with a Fragmented IT Approach

Prior to engaging simpleroute, Twincraft Skincare was experiencing growing pains related to its IT environment. While their dedicated internal IT team of four was adept at handling day-to-day support and user requests, they lacked specialized expertise in certain critical areas, such as advanced VDI management (specifically with VMware Horizon, and now Onnissa Horizon) and SAN optimization. This gap was meant to be filled by two separate managed service providers (MSPs).

However, the relationship between the internal team and the two MSPs was not effectively structured, leading to several challenges:

  • Lack of Unified Strategy and Ownership: The fragmented support model, with three separate entities involved, resulted in a lack of a cohesive IT strategy and unclear ownership of key initiatives. This led to half-completed projects and a reactive, rather than proactive, approach to problem-solving.
  • Inefficient Communication and Coordination: Communication and coordination between the internal team and the two MSPs were often inefficient, hindering timely issue resolution and project execution.
  • Accumulation of Technical Debt: The combination of incomplete projects, a lack of forward-looking strategy, and insufficient expertise in specific areas led to the gradual accumulation of technical debt. Over time, certain inefficiencies and workarounds became normalized within the organization, despite the fact that the MSPs, as the designated experts, should have taken ownership of resolving these underlying issues.
  • Limited Scalability: The existing IT setup was not designed to support Twincraft’s rapid growth trajectory. As the company expanded, the limitations of its fragmented and reactive IT approach became increasingly apparent.

As a large-scale manufacturer experiencing significant growth, Twincraft needed a technology partner that could provide a unified, strategic approach to IT, address the accumulated technical debt, streamline operations, and implement scalable solutions to support their continued expansion. They needed a partner that could provide both strategic guidance and hands-on expertise, while working seamlessly with their existing internal team. It was essential for them that this partner took true ownership of the issues to provide resolution and guidance.

Solution: A Strategic Partnership with simpleroute

Twincraft Skincare required a technology partner that could deliver both the personalized attention of an internal IT department and the broad expertise of a leading MSP. After an exhaustive search encompassing all MSPs in Chittenden County, Twincraft selected simpleroute. Our approach, centered on aligning with each client’s unique needs and business objectives, resonated deeply with Twincraft’s leadership.

simpleroute’s commitment to understanding Twincraft’s business and adapting our services accordingly was pivotal. We embedded a dedicated, full-time IT professional within Twincraft’s facilities, providing immediate on-site support while simultaneously leveraging the broader expertise and resources of the entire simpleroute team. This hybrid model offered the best of both worlds: the responsiveness of an in-house team combined with the strategic guidance and specialized skills of a seasoned MSP. This was a key factor in being chosen above all the other MSPs after the initial 2 were let go.

This collaborative partnership has fostered a deep level of trust. simpleroute’s recommendations are driven by Twincraft’s long-term best interests, and Twincraft confidently relies on our expertise to navigate complex technology decisions.

Implementation and Results: Modernization, Scalability, and Growth

simpleroute’s engagement has been instrumental in supporting Twincraft Skincare’s significant growth and expansion. During our partnership, Twincraft has expanded from a single location in Winooski to include two additional facilities in Essex, and is now preparing for a major relocation to a new five-acre manufacturing campus in Williston.

Our team played a critical role in the initial expansion to Essex, managing the IT infrastructure build-out and ensuring a seamless transition. We are now intimately involved in planning and executing the technology aspects of the move to the new Williston campus.

Key Initiatives and Impact:

  • VDI Implementation: We successfully transitioned Twincraft to a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment, initially using VMware Horizon and now migrating to Onnissa Horizon. This strategic shift empowered employees with secure, location-independent access to their files and applications, improving flexibility and collaboration. The VDI solution also enabled the digitization of production schedules, allowing for real-time updates and company-wide visibility.
  • Network Optimization: Recognizing the limitations of Twincraft’s previous network setup, which involved connecting the Essex facility back to the Winooski server, simpleroute implemented robust wireless networks across all three locations. This ensured seamless connectivity and significantly improved operational efficiency, especially in light of the new VDI environment.
  • Strategic Guidance and Cybersecurity: simpleroute serves as a trusted advisor, helping Twincraft make informed decisions about technology investments and ensuring the security of their IT environment.

A Foundation for Continued Success

simpleroute’s partnership with Twincraft Skincare exemplifies our commitment to providing customized, scalable IT solutions that drive business growth. By combining dedicated on-site support with the extensive expertise of our broader team, we have helped Twincraft overcome significant IT challenges, modernize their infrastructure, and successfully scale their operations. As Twincraft embarks on its next chapter of expansion, simpleroute is proud to serve as their trusted technology partner, ensuring they have the robust and agile IT foundation necessary to achieve their ambitious goals.

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