Krone Implements HYDRA MES System to Optimize Manufacturing Processes and Employee Management
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- Europe
Country
- Germany
- Turkey
Product
- HYDRA
- Smart MES Applications (SMA)
- MES Development Suite
Tech Stack
- Microsoft SQL database
- Windows Server
- Interface to SAP
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Cost Savings
- Employee Satisfaction
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Database Management & Storage
Applicable Industries
- Agriculture
- Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions
- Process Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Manufacturing System Automation
- Factory Operations Visibility & Intelligence
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Founded in 1906, Krone Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH & Co. KG is a leading manufacturer of agricultural machines. Managed by the fourth generation of the Krone family, the company achieved a turnover of 1.84 billion euros in the fiscal year 2015/16. The subsidiary in Spelle, Germany, focuses on high-performance machinery for modern agriculture, such as the Big X 1100 forage harvester. Krone's products are known for precision, performance, efficiency, and innovation, distributed worldwide through independent sales agencies.
The Challenge
In 2006, Krone faced the challenge of replacing outdated isolated solutions with an integrated MES system. Despite existing software tools, many manufacturing processes required optimization. Shop floor scheduling and production controlling were managed via Excel lists, making capacity planning based on actual values impossible. Quantities and interruptions were recorded per shift, with interruptions entered as overhead, preventing standardized and sustainable controlling.
The Solution
Krone implemented the HYDRA MES system to optimize staff capacity, machine utilization, and standardize controlling. The system aggregates data from shop floor, machine, and time and attendance modules into meaningful KPIs, aiding production optimization and wage calculations. HYDRA shop floor scheduling replaced manual planning, making production processes more reliable and predictable. Personnel scheduling optimized employee deployment based on qualifications. The system's transparency, highlighted by the shop floor monitor, is crucial for achieving efficiency and reliability. HYDRA time and attendance have been implemented at production sites in Germany and Turkey, with employees managing absences via browser-based Smart MES Applications.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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