Saint-Gobain Solutions: Transforming Order Management with Custom Tech

Business Challenges

Demand for sustainable construction practices
Striving for the most efficient manufacturing process
Labour shortages among construction companies

Keys to Success

Custom-built OMS using Mendix Low-Code
Seamless integration between ERP, MES, and CRM systems
Consultants working side by side with the Saint-Gobain team

Results

Improved efficiency and accuracy in their manufacturing process
Improved customer satisfaction by reducing construction time
Reduced costs and minimize waste

Saint-Gobain Solutions: Transforming Order Management with Custom Tech

Saint-Gobain envisions to become the worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction. Present in 76 country's, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. These solutions are found everywhere in our living places and our daily life: in buildings, transportation, infrastructure and in many industrial applications. They offer comfort, performance, and sustainability, addressing key global challenges such as the decarbonization of construction and industry, the conservation of resources, and the demands of rapid urbanization.

Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. Saint-Gobain its commitment is guided by its purpose, “Making the world a better home”.

Business Challenges

The world is changing rapidly, including the construction industry. Different ideas in the field of well-being and sustainability form the foundation of tomorrow's world. This brings new challenges that call for new solutions. Saint-Gobain Solutions focuses specifically on providing innovative system solutions and project advice as well as digital applications. At the basis is that the solutions of Saint-Gobain contribute to a comfortable and sustainable living environment.

Saint-Gobain Solutions strives to be your construction partner of tomorrow. From architects and consultants to construction companies and developers. The solutions offered by Saint-Gobain Solutions answer the questions of energy-efficient, sustainable, efficient, fast and high-quality construction. Saint-Gobain Solutions advises, produces and delivers the solutions of Saint-Gobain directly to our customers.

By streamlining their production process, rethinking the end-to-end order-to-production process, and addressing customer inefficiencies, Saint-Gobain managed to offer a comprehensive solution to market challenges. This comprehensive solution includes engineering, ordering, customer relationship management, resource planning, and manufacturing execution. Emixa closely collaborated with Saint-Gobain to realize this vision.

Keys to Success

The realization of this ambitious project relies on a multitude of systems working in harmony. Achieving a fully automated end-to-end process from order to production requires seamless integration between conventional ERP, MES, and CRM systems, as well as bespoke systems to manage the cutting and labelling machinery. Given the complexity, a consistent and reliable system for Made To Order (MTO) plasterboard couldn't be found off the shelf, and thus was custom-built by Emixa using Mendix.

In close collaboration, Emixa developed the Order Management System (OMS) to serve as the backbone of this new MTO process. The OMS serves as a central hub, serving both customer needs and Saint-Gobain Solutions' internal operations. This integration positions the OMS as the definitive single source of truth, from supply management to SAP sales orders. The OMS facilitates everything from managing construction projects and deliveries to the nitty-gritty optimization of the stability of the pallet for delivery. As such, the OMS strikes a balance between a strong customer focus and harmonizing the existing technological capabilities of all integrated systems.

The close collaboration between Saint-Gobain Solutions and Emixa led to the development of advanced purpose-built features. To fully automate plasterboard production, Saint-Gobain invested in an automated cutting and stacking machine. This machine relies on work orders from the new MES system, which is connected to the OMS and Saint-Gobain's ERP system. With the OMS positioned as the single source of truth, the team decided to develop a custom stacking algorithm to ensure stable stacking of plasterboards on pallets. This task provided an opportunity to showcase the true power of Mendix, where deep domain knowledge, development skills, and close collaboration among multiple solution providers resulted in a unique feature. The process-oriented approach of the developers, agile development, and strong stakeholder collaboration were key in shaping this solution.

A key success factor was the ability and willingness of both Saint-Gobain’s stakeholders and Emixa’s consultants to work side by side. Over the course of this project, both stakeholders and consultants have truly become a strong team. Their commitment to trust, mutual respect, and transparency not only laid the foundation for the adoption of Agile and Scrum methodologies but also cultivated a strong partnership.

Results

The partnership between Saint-Gobain Solutions and Emixa has resulted in a significant overhaul of the plasterboard manufacturing process. The custom-built solution, which seamlessly integrates multiple systems, has significantly improved efficiency and accuracy. By implementing this new and innovative MTO process for plasterboards, Saint-Gobain Solutions has taken a major first step in revolutionizing the construction process, ensuring faster work, reducing logistics costs and minimizing waste and dust on construction sites. By taking these steps, Saint-Gobain Solutions has changed its role in the Benelux market from a product provider to a service provider.

However, this doesn’t mean that the solution is complete in its current state. Emixa and Saint-Gobain Solutions continue to collaborate on new features to help achieve their digital ambitions.

The platform is the beating heart of our company

In the construction industry, innovation and sustainability are not only about products, but also about processes. Thanks to our new MTO machine and Order Management System, which uses software to select and customise the right materials for the finishing packages, a contractor can increase productivity on site. This helps our customers to continue building. With the MTO machine and the OMS, we are strongly committed to a customer-centric sustainability story.