Rosenbauer and CNT Management Consulting: Focus on the digital future
Rosenbauer International AG, one of the largest manufacturers of firefighting vehicles, has successfully implemented the new SAP software generation S/4HANA in its international procurement, manufacturing and sales systems in cooperation with the consulting company CNT Management Consulting. This smooth transition to a standardized software system has helped Rosenbauer to overcome supply chain challenges, improve its engineering processes and maintain its innovative strength.
Swiss companies have recognized that there is no way around the digitalization and implementation of IT solutions. As the results of the 2023 investment report from the German-speaking SAP user group (DSAG) show, investments in the ERP software solution SAP S/4HANA are becoming increasingly relevant. Almost 40 percent of the Swiss companies surveyed are planning high to medium investments in S/4HANA. One company that is already one step ahead is Rosenbauer AG. Together with CNT Management Consulting as its implementation partner, the firefighting equipment manufacturer has converted its international procurement, production and sales systems to the new SAP technology basis S/4HANA. "The introduction of SAP S/4HANA enables the Swiss site to handle all business processes in one consolidated system. This has simplified processes, increased efficiency and further enhanced transparency," explains Wilhelm Heckmann, Managing Director of the consulting firm CNT Management Consulting. As a sales and service organization, Rosenbauer Schweiz AG supports all municipal, plant and airport fire departments in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
More efficiency with a complete solution
For over 150 years, Rosenbauer has been an internationally active group involved in the construction of firefighting vehicles and extinguishing systems in accordance with European and US standards. With the implementation of S/4HANA, the company is now also focusing on digitalization and automation in its production and supply chain. However, the high level of integration between the different locations posed a major challenge during the changeover, as did the use of individual different systems.
Rosenbauer AG had already been using SAP S/4HANA for accounting for some time. An IT system developed in-house was used for logistics processes. Other systems were also used in various areas of the company. "The main focus was on rolling out the sales and service processes at the site and mapping the production processes for manufacturing in SAP. The seamless integration of the logistics processes into the existing finance and controlling processes was important, as was the smooth transition from the existing system to SAP S/4HANA," says Heckmann, describing the project.
Rollout in Switzerland shows effect
In the first step, CNT was commissioned to create a blueprint at the Leonding site in Austria. This was followed by the implementation and rollout of the Rosenbauer service and sales location in Switzerland. Here, vehicles built at other locations are completed for the local market according to individual customer requirements. The Swiss CNT project management had the task of mapping the sales and procurement processes in SAP and integrating the logistics into the existing finance and controlling processes. Since the successful go-live in Switzerland, Rosenbauer has benefited in many ways from SAP S/4HANA and can focus on core processes. "Rosenbauer is experiencing improvements and simplifications in the service area, in procurement and in the warehouse. Cost transparency has also been significantly increased in production," reports Heckmann.
A milestone for the future
With the strategically important SAP project in Switzerland, Rosenbauer AG has reached a major milestone together with CNT. Recently, a complex production site at Rosenbauer in Slovenia was also fully integrated into SAP and all engineering processes of the entire Group were linked and further digitalized. The next step will be the headquarters in Austria in 2024. "The example of Rosenbauer International AG shows how medium-sized companies that supply world-class and world-wide technology can benefit from digital solutions in the long term. We look forward to continuing to advise Rosenbauer, a company with a long tradition, on its path to a digital future," Heckmann concludes.
Source: www.cnt-consulting.com www.rosenbauer.com