– We decided to invest in PLM due to two factors; growth and competitiveness. Haglöfs has grown dramatically and the goals are set high for the future, including quality assurance and service related to our retailers. We have to work professionally and effectively within all areas, and in product development that means we must have a well functioning PLM system.
Johnny Claus, Product Director at Haglöfs
PLM enables Haglöfs to manage product information more efficiently Haglöfs has been achieving constant and fast growth over the past four years, with a turnover having doubled during this period. This has put a lot of pressure on the streamlined organisation, especially regarding the management of the company’s demanding workload. Product data was stored in separate IT systems and Excel worksheets which led to an increased amount of manual labour and time consuming data transfer. Moreover, Haglöfs was faced with the challenge of managing international production partners and the need for international collaboration.
In 2006 Haglöfs therefore invested in a PLM solution, based on ENOVIA MatrixOne, which enables the company to manage all aspects of product information more efficiently. The ENOVIA MatrixOne Apparel Accelerator equips Haglöfs with the ability to align their organisation with various environmental and other regulatory requirements. Additionally, it enables innovation through visibility, control, and collaboration. The new system manages projects, bill of materials (BOM), processes, items, samples, sketches, structures and related documents.
– We evaluated three different solutions but decided on ENOVIA MatrixOne early on. This was due to the system’s “horse-power”, that it is a well developed out-of-the-box solution for apparel manufacturers and that it is a flexible and expandable system that can grow with us. Also, the solution is web based and it is therefore easy to attach external users and to adjust the interface. The layout is appealing and logical, and there were good reference cases, such as GAP, which made our investment feel secure, says Johnny Claus.
Delivering the right product, to the right market, at the right price
Together with Haglöfs, Technia implemented the ENOVIA MatrixOne Accelerator for Apparel Design & Development with a focus on utilising the standard functionality in the product, rather than configuring and customising the system to suit the company’s existing working methods.
Technia Value Components (TVC) was part of the implementation, increasing usability and user acceptance. The system was integrated to Haglöfs business system, GARP. The flexibility and architecture of this solution provides a critical foundation to support Haglöfs aggressive growth initiatives.
– The PLM system supports Haglöfs’ aim for constant and aggressive growth by reducing manual work, enabling faster and high quality collaboration with our suppliers, and by improving the delivery of the right products to the market, at the right time and at the right price while maintaining profit margins. A PLM system “forces” everyone to solve the task in the same way. This strengthens the routines which contributes to higher efficiency and quality assurance, continues Johnny Claus.
Future plans and investments
The PLM solution is not used globally yet, but the company plans to expand within a short timeframe. Technia’s solution is applied within Haglöfs’ product development department and 25 users are currently involved. In the near future producers in Europe, as well as Asia, will have direct access to the system.
At the start of 2008 Haglöfs will develop the forecasts management and the pre-costing processes together with Technia to be able to determine the best production parameters via the PLM system. Haglöfs also plans to integrate the PLM solution with their existing design and pattern production IT system. The company will continue to invest in its PLM solution by developing new functions and upgrading to new releases. The report system will be expanded in order to be able to produce the exact reports that are needed to continuously improve working routines and rationalise development work.
– We are confident that the Apparel Accelerator from ENOVIA MatrixOne is the right choice for a modern, global, scalable PLM backbone. From a competition perspective, we are very pleased to be at the forefront of our industry with PLM. We made the decision to invest in PLM in 2006 and expect to start really benefiting from it 15 months later. If we compare ourselves with competitors who make the investment this year, we will always be at least two years ahead. Whether we are talking fashion, sports or outdoors, few businesses, if any, will be able to compete without a well functioning PLM system in the future. It is about being able to shorten development times and perfect the logistics in order to be able to respond to trends and be early to market with the latest products, concludes Johnny Claus.
- Haglöfs is the largest supplier of outdoor equipment in the Nordic region.
The company has 83 employees in Sweden and approximately 20 abroad. Haglöfs’ net sales are forecast to reach SEK 450 million in 2007.
- Haglöfs’ business concept is “to offer people who invest in an active outdoor life a brand which fills the need for products with a high degree of functionality, good fit and value for money at all times”.
- The global aim is to be perceived as one of the dominant brands in relevant markets, and thereby be the obvious choice for customers who invest in outdoor products. An underlying philosophy is that all business development should be long-term and socially and environmentally friendly.
- In total Haglöfs markets its products in 15 markets outside Sweden with affiliates and sales offices in Norway, Finland, Denmark, Germany and England. In other markets such as Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France and Benelux Haglöfs work via distributors or agents. Production is sited in Estonia, Poland, Romania, China and Vietnam.