CompleteOverview

"We are strong where gumption and know-how are needed and where tight tolerances are required," says co-owner Livio Son. In sheet metal technology, which accounts for around 80% of sales, RuossTech can guarantee tolerances of tenths of a millimetre. This high quality of performance gives the company a competitive edge over Eastern European suppliers. The end products, such as special enclosures, industrial control cabinets or assemblies with electrical and pneumatic components, are - with a clear Swiss focus - also in demand internationally, as far afield as Malaysia and China.

Quality is fundamental
"With the principles of 'partnership, added value and quality', we strive for the greatest possible customer satisfaction," reports André Reichmuth, who is responsible for quality. Since RuossTech is increasingly targeting system construction, which includes holistic services such as engineering and production, quality management using Excel has reached its limits. Since January 2011, the CIP tool Improve® has been in use, starting with the "test equipment management" module. Livio Son sums up what has changed since then with four words: "simpler, clearer, more consistent and 100% traceable.

Simplifications in concrete terms
RuossTech now uses Improve® to manage 160 measuring devices and 110 machines/small devices. The most significant benefit of the web tool compared to the previous Excel solutions is highlighted by Quality Manager André Reichmuth:

• Completeness and total overview - each machine recorded can be stored with manuals, maintenance instructions, etc. in any data format; external links are not necessary. The ability to store maintenance scenarios (called "configurations" in the program) for any number of components of a machine/plant is also very helpful; this means that the cooling component, the lubrication component, etc. can be handled independently and safely.
• Repairs, commissioning or decommissioning can also be stored directly with the system or a specific configuration.
• Automatic e-mail notification of the responsible person about upcoming maintenance dates.
• In the case of personnel changes, Qtasks can be transferred to the new person with one click.
• Tempo-Plus in the treatment of multiple events.

"Auditors are always amazed at how quickly and cleanly all the information is available," says Livio Son. Since the start in 2011, RuossTech has greatly expanded the use of Improve, for example to include environmental management, customer errors, supplier errors and internal errors, training plans and occupational safety. "And it's still going on," stresses André Reichmuth, "even with just under 40 people, our goal is to introduce the risk management module soon."