Digital transformation at Herter Edelweiss Jersey: transparency, speed and process optimization in knitted fabric production

Herter Edelweiss Jersey decided to replace a legacy system that had grown over many years and had reached its limits because of missing integration, lack of transparency and largely manual workflows. The aim of the project was end-to-end digitalization of all commercial and production-related processes, from order entry to inventory management.

Despite ambitious conditions, with a direct go-live in the production environment, a minimal schedule and parallel operation of both systems, the changeover went smoothly. The decisive factors were the inteos^® project team’s deep understanding of the processes and the close, solution-oriented cooperation with Edelweiss.

Herter Edelweiss Jersey is a long-established circular knitting mill from Albstadt that has been producing high-quality jersey and knitted fabrics for several decades. The company combines regional production with a modern machine park and supplies both classic apparel segments and technical applications. High quality standards, short supply chains and strong material expertise characterize the family-run business.

FACTBOX

• Project goal: replacement of the legacy system, complete process digitalization
• Special features: direct go-live, parallel operation of old and new system, complex material processes
• Key modules: order processing, production planning, warehouse and inventory management
• Result: transparency, process optimization, speed, integration, less manual work

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The challenge: the legacy system

The previous system environment was characterized by the following problems:

• Developers who did not speak German: communication barriers, little adaptability
• Outdated operating logic tailored to individual users
• Gross and net weights recorded manually: high effort and prone to errors
• Inventory management in a separate system: errors and inconsistent data
• No integration between the systems: media breaks, duplicate entries
• Complexity in the commercial area despite the size of the company

The decision for inteos^® was based on the possibility of mapping all relevant workflows close to the process, transparently and fully integrated.

How does it work?

The inteos^® approach: inteos^® combines commercial control, production planning and manufacturing processes in one end-to-end ERP and MES system:

• Central master data management for articles and addresses
• Transparent production planning
• Scanner-based and mobile data acquisition for stocks, warehouse movements and order picking
• Real-time overview of orders, stocks and work in progress
• Replacement of paper-based procedures with digital, traceable workflows

Thanks to harmonized master data, repeated test imports, precise preparation and the project team’s understanding of textile processes, the migration was fast and clean.

Implementation: speed, precision and textile expertise

The project was characterized by high time pressure and the need to start directly in the production environment. The customer’s close involvement, short decision paths and the textile know-how of the inteos^® team made a fast and stable introduction possible.
Despite the complexity of the material and article portfolio, all critical processes, from planning and production to the warehouse, were transferred without interruption. The workforce quickly accepted the new system because the benefits were immediately noticeable in their daily work.