Case Study Kelvion

50 locations worldwide – 8 of them in Germany! When you talk about Kelvion, big numbers come into play! In its digitization strategy in Germany, the heat exchanger manufacturer relies on cronetwork MES, which, along with SAP, is the most important software tool on the shopfloor. The high degree of individualization of the standard software and the comprehensive support of the group-wide cloud strategy are decisive for the successful rollout. cronetwork MES is already in use at six locations – and the common story has only just begun!

cronetwork MES plays a central role in manufacturing IT

Whoever says heat exchanger must also say Kelvion. With more than 5,000 employees, the global manufacturer of industrial heat exchangers serves customers from various industries such as the energy sector, data centers, renewable energies, refrigeration and air conditioning, food industry and many more. Kelvion is a specialist in providing customized products and services and serves its customers through a global manufacturing, sales and service network.

Many production sites – one strategy

In Germany alone, production takes place at 8 sites, some with very different processes and manufacturing areas. “We have a certain variance in our site requirements. While the rough alignment tends to be the same, a closer look reveals important differences,” says Dr. Karl Magdans, Project Lead and main coordinator for the holding-wide digitalization projects on the shopfloor, describing the initial situation and continues: “For us, it was therefore important to rely only on systems that also bring a certain degree of flexibility and can uniformly map the differences in vertical integration.

For five years now, cronetwork MES has been in use at Kelvion and has established itself as the most important software tool on the shopfloor alongside SAP. “This is due on the one hand to the high integration capability of the software, especially with regard to ERP, and on the other hand to the individualization options that are available despite the update security of cronetwork,” Mr. Magdans continues. “This gives us planning security also for the roll-out at further production sites.” In addition, Kelvion is currently working with Industrie Informatik to implement a connector between cronetwork MES and the SAP Public Cloud – another indicator of the forward-looking and future-proof partnership.

MES at all production sites

Even during the MES selection process several years ago, it was clear to Kelvion that only a full-service provider would be considered, as the company would gradually approach the topic holistically. To date, machine & plant data collection, business intelligence and personnel time & attendance have been introduced in up to six plants. With detailed planning APS, they are also in the implementation phase at several sites, with one already running productively. “As part of our digitization strategy, the cronetwork implementation is a high priority,” says Karl Magdans. “Continuous process improvement and transparency are only possible through the use of the MES system. Our goal is to equip all manufacturing sites with it.”

According to Mr. Magdans, the aim is to stick as closely as possible to the cronetwork standard, although there is no “one template” as an implementation concept: “My task is a coordinated system implementation across the plants. The balancing act between standard software and high flexibility succeeds very well with cronetwork MES and helps enormously to map local processes in the best possible way.” For him, the pragmatic approach in the implementation phase and the continuous support of the Industrie Informatik employees after the go-live is also an important factor.

Satisfied users thanks to positive benefits

Currently, around 1,000 employees use the time & attendance functionalities and more than 400 MDC, PDC and detailed planning. Acceptance is very high, especially on the shopfloor. The employees are open to digitization and repeatedly come up with innovative ideas for use, e.g., with regard to the optimized design of terminal user interfaces. Mr. Magdans comments: “We have observed that users have more fun and are more accepting when they are involved in projects from the very beginning and their wishes and ideas are taken into account.”

In addition, the benefits are clear, which ensures additional commitment among the workforce! Karl Magdans sums up: “We now have a comprehensive view of machine statuses, productivity indicators and much more information, which greatly increases our process transparency and thus efficiency on the shopfloor. The new and flexibly configurable terminals also provide our workers with the essential information quickly and up to date! The comprehensive introduction of time & attendance also creates transparency for the entire company. The digital recording of working hours and vacation times also flows into the detailed planning in a supportive manner.” In line with the ESG principles (Environment, Social, Governance), the creation of paperless production is also an issue that has gained additional momentum through the introduction of an MES.

Conclusion

The Kelvion digitization strategy shows extremely positive benefits! cronetwork MES has established itself as one of the leading systems on this path – not least due to the high adaptability despite established update security, the comprehensive integration options and the future-proof orientation. And as already mentioned at the beginning: the common story has only just begun!

Photos: © Kelvion