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Manufacturing Success Story

Abcon

Abcon, a leading manufacturer of industrial and automotive abrasives, modernised its workforce operations with HR Duo’s all-in-one platform. The company simplified time-tracking, reduced compliance risks, and improved shift scheduling to support continued growth in global markets.

150 +

Employees

3

Divisions

1

Platform
Abcon HR Duo

Abcon

To remain competitive and continue its growth journey, Abcon turned to HR Duo to unify its HR and workforce management processes in one platform.

Founded in 2005 in County Cavan, Abcon has grown from 8 employees to over 150, becoming Ireland’s only manufacturer of abrasive belts and discs. Serving both domestic and global markets, Abcon supplies high-quality abrasive solutions under its own brands and private label agreements.

As the business expanded, Abcon needed a smarter way to manage HR operations. Manual processes and outdated systems made it difficult to manage time-tracking, complex rotas, payroll reporting, and HR compliance across a busy manufacturing environment.

Overview

Company Abcon
Location Ireland & Global Markets
Industry Industrial and Automotive Manufacturing
Explore this case study if:
  • You manage a medium to large manufacturing workforce with complex shift patterns
  • You need workforce management software that reduces compliance risk
  • You want to improve time-tracking, payroll accuracy, and shift scheduling
  • You’re looking for an HRMS that integrates HR and workforce operations in one platform

What Was Needed

Managing a fast-growing industrial manufacturing workforce requires efficiency, compliance, and accuracy. 

Abcon needed to:

  • Centralise its HR Operations: Replace fragmented systems and spreadsheets with a single HRIS that stores employee data, rotas, and HR documents.

  • Improve Time-Tracking and Attendance: Move away from manual timesheets to automated attendance tracking, reducing payroll errors and absenteeism issues.

  • Simplify Shift Scheduling: Handle changing production demands with rotas that could be updated quickly, avoiding costly downtime or under-staffing.

  • Ensure HR Compliance: Meet employment law requirements for working hours, contracts, and health and safety without overloading HR teams.

  • Reduce Administrative Workload: Automate routine HR tasks such as payroll reporting, compliance documentation, and policy distribution.

Where We Came In

HR Duo delivered a unified HRMS and workforce management platform built for industries like Abcon in manufacturing and automotive production.

With real-time time-tracking, mobile clock-ins, automated rotas, compliance templates, and seamless payroll reporting, Abcon gained the tools to manage its people more effectively, reduce compliance risks, and support business growth. With HR Duo, Abcon achieved: 

  • Automated Time-Tracking and Attendance: Employees clock in and out via mobile or location-based options, ensuring accuracy and reducing payroll disputes.

  • Smart Rotas and Shift Scheduling: Managers can build rotas in minutes, adjust schedules in real time, and notify staff instantly. This keeps production lines fully staffed and responsive to demand.

  • HR Compliance Tools: Access to ready-to-use HR policies, contracts, and templates, helping the business stay compliant with Irish employment regulations.

  • Seamless Payroll Reporting and Processing: Time and attendance data automatically flows into payroll reports, saving time and reducing manual errors. Abcon can run payroll with the click of a button.

  • Mobile Self-Service for Employees: Teams can check schedules, request leave, and access HR documents directly from their phone.

  • Data-Driven Insights: Managers can generate real-time reports on attendance, overtime costs, and shift coverage to improve planning.

Our Services

Abcon benefited from many of our platform features and modules, including:

Workforce Management

Workforce Management

Time and attendance tracking, digital rotas, and performance data in one platform.
support

Applicant Tracking System

A recruitment tool to attract and onboard skilled workers in a competitive labour market.
relations

Employee Engagement

A mobile app giving employees instant access to rotas, policies, and HR tools.
payroll

Payroll and Staff Cost Control

Ability to cap staff costs in rotas and integrated payroll to reduce admin time and ensure accuracy.
documentation

HR Compliance Support

Access to employee relations support and a full repository of editable model policies, letters, and contracts aligned to local employment law.

"HR Duo has transformed how we manage our people. From time-tracking to compliance, everything is in one place. It saves time, reduces errors, and helps us run the business more efficiently."

Jen Pease
HR Coordinator, Abcon

The Real Value

By moving to HR Duo’s unified HRMS and workforce management software, Abcon reduced admin, improved compliance, and gained more control over its workforce.
  • realtime Increased Efficiency & Productivity Automated time-tracking, rotas, and payroll processes reduced admin workloads.
  • compliance Enhanced Compliance & Reduced Risk Digital HR policies, contracts, and compliance records ensured legal compliance.
  • Data Cost and Time Savings Accurate workforce data reduced payroll errors and saved management hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is workforce management software for manufacturing?

Workforce management software for manufacturing helps businesses plan, track, and manage their employees more efficiently.

For companies like Abcon, this includes time-tracking, shift scheduling, absence management, payroll reporting, and HR compliance, all managed from one central HR platform.

How does HR Duo support HR compliance in manufacturing?

Manufacturers must comply with strict employment laws, health and safety rules, and working time regulations.

HR Duo includes built-in HR compliance tools, such as digital contracts, model HR policies, and right-to-work documentation storage, reducing the risk of non-compliance and protecting your business.

Can HR Duo handle complex shift patterns in manufacturing?

Yes. HR Duo is designed for industries with rotating shifts, night work, and fluctuating production schedules. Managers can build digital rotas in minutes, automate overtime calculations, and quickly fill shift gaps.

Employees can access their rotas in real time via the mobile app, reducing confusion and missed shifts.

Does HR Duo integrate with payroll for manufacturers?

HR Duo connects time-tracking, attendance, and rota data directly into payroll reports.

This eliminates manual calculations, reduces payroll errors, and gives finance teams accurate data on labour costs, overtime, and staffing budgets. Companies can then export the data to their existing payroll provider or use HR Duo's built-in payroll processing. 

What makes HR Duo different from other HR software?

Unlike standalone HR tools, HR Duo combines HRMS and workforce management software in one platform.

This means manufacturers can manage time, rotas, payroll, compliance, and employee engagement without switching systems or duplicating data.

Why should a manufacturing company choose HR Duo?

HR Duo is designed for industries with complex operational needs like manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

The platform automates over 80% of HR and workforce admin, reduces compliance risks, and improves productivity, making it the right choice for businesses that want to control costs while supporting growth.

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