Britax Römer, a leading manufacturer of child safety systems such as child seats, infant carriers and pushchairs based in Leipheim near Ulm in Baden-Württemberg, launched a central cloud project together with Koppermann in the first quarter of 2022 to introduce a product lifecycle management system (PLM). The aim was to optimise the entire technical documentation and processes in the soft goods area. This area is responsible for the development and production of fabric covers, which are used for child seats and infant carriers, among other things – so-called soft goods covers.

The decision to introduce a PLM solution was made after a detailed analysis of the existing work processes. A central point was the need to increase efficiency and transparency in product information management.

‘The implementation of a centralised product information management system was more than just an idea – it was a clear requirement for the success of the department.’ Tina Kurrle, Project Manager and Specialist Soft Goods Engineer at Britax, knew this right from the start. In particular, the confusing and error-prone management of parts lists, substance and material data in Excel was a major challenge at the time.Thanks to the rapid implementation and uncomplicated cooperation with Koppermann, the project was able to get off to a quick start. Initial successes were quickly realised: The software offered a user-friendly interface that enabled the team to work efficiently with the database without a great deal of training. ‘The first new soft goods covers were actively created in the database and the test phase began immediately with the creation of the test specification,’ says a delighted Tina Kurrle.

Parts lists with all relevant material data and information were now managed centrally in the cloud. The previously confusing Excel spreadsheets have been replaced by structured and comprehensible documentation.

DThe new PLM solution JUMPSTART PLM has brought with it a number of benefits that are particularly important for the Soft Goods department:

• Faster adjustments: Short-term adjustments, such as changes to the BOM specification, can now be implemented quickly and easily.

• Better overview: All product information, including substances and materials, is now available in a centralised database.

• Increased transparency: All departments now have a better overview and can exchange information quickly and efficiently. Purchasing in particular benefits from the rapid availability of data.

• Optimisation of communication: The cloud solution facilitates cross-departmental collaboration. Information on fabrics, materials and work plans is now always up-to-date and easily accessible.

‘One particularly notable advance is the ability to assign substances and materials to the corresponding numbers directly in the parts list. Previously, this data had to be maintained separately, which meant potential sources of error. Today, all relevant information is integrated into a single document, which is available to both internal and external partners in a clear and comprehensible manner,’ says Tina Kurrle.

Koppermann was chosen because we offered a user-friendly, cloud-based solution that could be flexibly customised to Britax Römer’s needs. We were particularly impressed by the intuitive interface, which enabled quick familiarisation – compared to other, more technically complex systems on the market. In addition, the cloud solution was a crucial requirement for Britax Römer for security reasons, as it enables centralised and secure management of all sensitive product data.

Thanks to the PLM system from Koppermann, Britax Römer was able to significantly increase the efficiency of its work processes. The data is now securely and transparently bundled in one place, which simplifies collaboration between departments and at the same time improves the quality of product documentation.
This project impressively emphasises the importance of using innovative technologies to sustainably increase efficiency, transparency and collaboration within the company – and that Britax Römer has a valuable partner at its side in Koppermann to successfully follow this path.