ACM in Malaysia has been working with SAP S/4HANA for several years. Exerion, part of the ACM group, sees great value in implementing the blueprint from Malaysia also at their production sites in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.
Exerion Precision Technology is an industrial management organization that develops high-quality modules and systems, builds them in small to medium series, and supplies them to reputable OEM companies worldwide. These OEM companies operate mainly in the medical, document processing, semiconductor and industrial markets.
Added value of the European rollout
Achieving the same information structure at the production sites in Malaysia, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands allows for faster communication between the different sites and makes switching production sites easier. It is also easier to exchange resources between production sites, and resources can be quickly readjusted. Given the current increased odds of absenteeism due to COVID-19, this spreads risk within the organization. It gives more security when it comes to being able to fulfill agreements made with customers about the delivery of products.
The choice of Quinso
Exerion initially considered partnering with the Malaysian party that originally implemented SAP S/4HANA at ACM. This seemed to be efficient, but it soon became apparent that a European way of working and being able to work in the same time zone was a better fit for Exerion, which was originally Dutch. And so the choice finally fell on Quinso as a partner.
Why Quinso? Bart Konter, CFO at Exerion: ‘After the first meeting with Quinso’s consultants, there was an immediate click. Both organizations have the same hands-on and pragmatic mentality. We were also impressed by the experience and knowledge that Quinso has already built up with S/4HANA in manufacturing. Quinso had immediate examples of customers who have many similarities to our processes. And the third decisive point for our choice was the international nature of Quinso as part of ORBIS. With that, they offer the global coverage that we also offer to our customers, a feature that makes us unique in the market.
‘That we fit together was evident several years ago. ‘I became acquainted with Exerion’s management when ACM was one of the first organizations to decide to move to SAP S/4HANA,’ Marc van der Zon, Sales Director at Quinso, adds to Bart’s words, ‘It was a matter of the right timing for an innovator like Exerion to also connect the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. From that first introduction we have always kept in touch. We both stand for a long-term relationship and high quality. From our mission to support manufacturing companies in their route to intelligent manufacturing, this partnership fits like a glove.’
Blueprint and best practices as a starting point
For several weeks, Quinso has been working for Exerion. The blueprint developed and implemented in Malaysia is the basis for the rollout in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. However, these will not be 100% applicable, mainly due to a difference in business practices stemming from a different culture and low labor costs in Malaysia. The starting point, however, is to go for the standard at most. Best practices are best practices for a reason is the belief at Exerion. The manufacturing process at Exerion has many similarities to the processes at other organizations in the manufacturing industry. Typically, the manufacturing industry involves logistical, organizational, planning and capacity flows. Of course there are also differences, but the belief is that it will be less than 20%.
The change process
For some Exerion employees, it will take some getting used to. They will work from 1 clear dashboard in the web-based fiori environment. For some this will be difficult, for others immediate progress. Recognizable for any change process. But the added value of going to work with S/4HANA is such that this change process is worth it.
‘Whether we made the right choice with Quinso, I can tell you in six months’ Bart continues his story with a laugh, ‘but of course we have full confidence in it and are looking forward to working together in the coming months with great pleasure’.
The expertise Quinso has built up with S/4HANA in manufacturing means that we are able to help you like no other, just as we do at Exerion. If you want to spar about what S/4HANA can do for your business, contact Marc van der Zon at marc.van.der.zon@quinso.com or call him directly at 06 – 18 42 14 65. For more information on becoming an Intelligent Manufacturer, visit www.quinso.com/word-een-slimme-fabrikant.
