KENDRION Werkzeugtechnik is part of the automotive arm of the KENDRION group of companies, which employs around 2300 people in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic. This group is in turn a member of Shuttersveld Holdings, an international company specialising in the automotive supplies industry. KENDRION considers itself as a development and production partner, focusing on ideas and innovation, combined with objective-oriented implementation, placing emphasis on its capabilities in mechanical systems, assembly and ancillary components.

<< Having immediate access to all the information at a click not only saves time and money but also saves on stress! >>
Ralf Hesener, Managing Director, KENDRION Werkzeugtechnik

With over 40 skilled employees working with, and producing, hightech moulds, tools and systems, KENDRION Werkzeugtechnik aims at providing leading edge solutions for new automotive concepts. The company was in transition from a cost centre to independence as a self-contained profit centre within its group of companies. These changes necessitated the introduction of a system to optimise control of production and provide management and commercial information to support the new requirements for autonomous operation. The company was looking for a flexible, practical and integrated solution and chose WorkPLAN from Sescoi for its ability to meet its needs.

There were several factors governing the company’s choice. WorkPLAN enabled local administration which was necessary for the new reporting structure, including order confirmation and status; accurate cost control for each order; invoicing, and credit control. These were all considered as high priorities. Similarly, support for communication on current projects within the team, together with production management and process analysis, were also seen as highly important capabilities. WorkPLAN also provided real-time data for hours booked on a job, and costs from analysis of the actual values recorded on the shop floor. Streamlining the monitoring and preparation of the technical information required for purchasing, and the ability to individually configure the software in conjunction with precise time and process management were seen as further advantages.

Ralf Hesener, the Managing Director of KENDRION Werkzeugtechnik, is convinced that he made the right decision. “With WorkPLAN we have a database system which can accurately indicate the status of the project at any time, from submitting the tender via drawing up the order to purchasing, simulation and planning, and it effortlessly integrates into our work. In addition, we are able to produce clear project management data, such as scanned documents, as appendices to the tool project. Having immediate access to all the information at a click not only saves time and money but also saves on stress!”

For KENDRION Werkzeugtechnik and its products, teamwork and communication are indispensable. The practical principles behind the WorkPLAN software, together with electronic data transfer of essential information around the company, makes an enormous contribution to productivity - it is now the only system used at the factory. Ralf Hesener explains, “Our electronic data processing and data entry was simplified for the employees in such a way that now we only use one system with a uniform interface. Integration in all areas is assured and it gives us better transparency and production control. These are advantages, which we can pass on to our customers through better costing, quality and delivery times. The organisational flow for tool and mould production has been improved, now each employee is presented with the necessary information for decision-making for his tasks.”

A further important factor for KENDRION Werkzeugtechnik when it was selecting a supplier for an integrated management solution was the supplier itself and the services offered. The best functional features can only be used successfully if the right kind of support is provided. Sescoi provides personnel who are thoroughly familiar with mould manufacture and its procedures and are committed to delivering an efficient and professional service. The depth of understanding of the customer’s business enables Sescoi engineers to engender best practice. Ralf Hesener explains, “We are very satisfied with the service, it is customer-specific and very well resourced with a hot-line and advisers. We work in collaboration with Sescoi, implementing new ideas and optimising WorkPLAN to the regularly changing requirements of our industry sector. For example the touch screen for simple feedback on the status of orders has been enhanced by suggestions and ideas from KENDRION.”

The tendering process was used productively only a few days after the initial implementation - now with an extensive knowledge and experience of WorkPLAN, KENDRION would not want to be without the software to control its day to day factory management. Ralf Hesener enthuses, “We are very satisfied and can recommend WorkPLAN to others”.