ARGHO-HYTOS GmbH
As a component and system supplier the ARGO-HYTOS group is a vital part in the supply chain of the world market leaders when it comes to mobile working machinery and mechanical engineering. As a medium-sized family business with more than 1,300 employees, ARGO-HYTOS has more than 65 years of experience in Fluid & Motion Control and Filtration technology for mobile and industrial hydraulics. The ARGO-HYTOS group has production companies in Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, India, USA and China and various sales offices and assembly sites worldwide.
Jörg Stech, Chief Operating Officer ARGO-HYTOS GroupWe were able to improve our performance in the long term with HYDRA providing transparent order and machine data. Additionally, HYDRA enables us to define standardized operative KPIs across the group, which are then used worldwide in all our subsidiaries to apply and roll out lean initiatives.
Task and Solution
In order to increase transparency at their production site in Kraichtal-Menzingen, ARGO-HYTOS introduced the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) HYDRA by MPDV. By collecting and analyzing data of machine standstills, ARGO-HYTOS hoped to gain a greater insight into machine efficiencies and therefore improve it.
ARGOS-HYTOS initially implemented the HYDRA modules shop floor data (BDE), machine data (MDE) and shop floor scheduling (HLS) for detailed planning of orders. Linking these three MES modules enables the evaluation of processed orders including uploading compressed data to the SAP ERP system and optimizing machine assignment. The assignment of orders to individual machines is carried out automatically and is based on specifications (e.g. machine group, deadlines) from the ERP system. CNC processing centers, folding machines and assembly units automatically supply time, status and quantities and, thus provide for transparency. Large monitors in production display collected information to employees.
In the next step ARGO-HYTOS extended the function scope of HYDRA by adding modules like time & attendance (PZE), time management, incentive pay and access control. Thereby, ARGOS-HYTOS replaced an existing PZE system and consolidated the IT landscape in production. With the support of HYDRA order processing times, machine status, production quantities and, attendance of staff is now collected without having to record these manually. HYDRA then calculates the basic data to pay bonuses for the relevant groups. Further paperless workflows are planned, e.g. application and approval of leave. Access control integrated in HYDRA ensures that only authorized people enter the company premises. All entries and entry attempts are logged and evaluated.
HYDRA modules, which have been successfully installed in Kraichtal-Menzigen and at the Czech site in Vrchlabi are rolled out to other sites in India, USA, China and Poland.