Modern production, especially in a cross-laminated timber (CLT) plant, is not possible without an appropriate ERP system. Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald in Seewald-Besenfeld/DE relies on the expertise of TimberTec, Eutin/ DE. The project managers explain how complex and at the same time ingenious such an implementation is.
Text: Martina Nöstler, Photo: TimberTec, Martina Nöstler; Article in CLT Special - Holzkurier issue 45 - 09.11.2023
Successful cooperation:
Robert Rother, Project Manager at Timbertec, with Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald Managing Director Jörg Kübler and Andreas Bauer, responsible for joinery at Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald (from left). The three agree that thanks to the detailed planning, the ERP system could already be implemented during the construction phase to the satisfaction of everyone involved
An ERP system should support and facilitate the automation of production processes as well as other areas such as purchasing, sales or logistics within the company. With TiCom, Timbertec offers exactly that for CLT manufacturers. Put simply, every user can put together their own ERP system from various modules. Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald is one of the most recent projects in which TiCom has been implemented. Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald was founded by the three companies Sägewerk Echtle, Nordrach/DE, Holzwerk Kübler, Haiterbach/ DE, and Sägewerk Streit, Hausach/ DE. All three companies are equal partners. Manuel Echtle and Jörg Kübler are the managing directors, with Kübler primarily responsible for operations. Production started in September 2022. Kübler puts the single-shift annual capacity at 20,000 m3.
Relying on the market leader
"We naturally followed what was happening on the market in terms of ERP systems," explains Kübler and continues: "TimberTec is already involved in many large CLT plants and has the corresponding experience. We also liked the fact that there is an interface to Hundegger's Cambium software. This allows us to collect all CAD data and transfer it to the ERP system. There was really no alternative for us." Timbertec also responded to the wishes of Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald and together they further developed the CLT module in TiCom. Robert Rother, project manager at Timbertec, cites batch planning in BSPN as an example. "This was the first time we handled a major project with Weinig. The collaboration worked very well," remarks Rother. The entire CLT production process at Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald is mapped in TiCom - from purchasing, sales and warehouse management to production planning and truck loading. Production planning is based on the BVX files of the components or projects. These are read into the Cambium software, where the raw panels are first nested. This data is then transferred to the ERP system and the orders are created automatically. "I receive all the geometric data, including the price list, at the touch of a button," explains Andreas Bauer, who is responsible for joinery at Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald. He also played a leading role in the implementation of Ticom.
The first step in production planning is the package planning of the finished CLT elements as well as the route planning including the graphical loading planning (GVP). The GVP module enables CLT elements to be combined into logistically optimized packages. This should simplify route planning, resulting in efficient transportation. "Package planning is very important to avoid multiple reloading of elements on the construction site. This can sometimes lead to damage," reports Bauer.
Rebecca Haller shows the Timbertec ERP system - TiCom - in use
In the glulam production order form, the upcoming production orders can be optimally planned.
New form for optimized production
The nesting of Cambium is visualized in the BSPN module. It is also possible to carry out optimization across several projects. In practice, this function is used for individual components to be re-produced. This is followed by the batch planning mentioned at the beginning - a solution that Timbertec developed together with Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald. With the help of batch planning, production can be optimized even better.
"For example, we can combine panels of the same length or thickness to keep set-up times as short as possible. The form decides whether it will be a good production day or not,"
explains Bauer. In addition, two completely different components can be pressed in the CLT press in Seewald. "With batch planning, production can only be optimally controlled using one form," adds
Rother. In the production order, Ticom calculates the lamella structure - from the single-layer panels to the individual lamella in terms of quality, dimensions and transverse/longitudinal layers. This information is transferred to the Weinig master computer at
Timbertec. At present, the master panel is still processed manually based on the component number. "However, it is also possible to automate the joinery process
using a barcode scanner," explains Rother. The finished components are then all given a label with a QR code. The production employee scans this and can assign it to the correct package "Only when all components have been scanned and the package is complete can the delivery bill be printed," says Bauer, explaining the final check. "We got to grips with the ERP system very early on. Once you understand how it works, you quickly find your way around. Now that we know how our processes work after a year, we will customize Ticom a little more. However, the package that Timbertec has supplied us with is perfect," says Bauer at
. "The cooperation with Timbertec and especially with Robert Rother was very cooperative. It was the right decision for us to rely on Timbertec," adds Kübler.