Hilti’s Schaan plant receives MX Award for process innovation

Schaan (FL), November 14, 2016 – Hilti’s manufacturing facility in Schaan received the Manufacturing Excellence competition’s MX Award in the category of Process Innovation. The award, sponsored by Technical University of Berlin, is given for best practices in industrial manufacturing within the German-speaking area.

“Our team consistently works on improving processes to ensure the plant remains competitive. The fact that an independent group of experts has found our efforts to be innovative is a positive confirmation of what we are doing,” said Plant Manager Armin Küper.

As the lead facility within Hilti’s international production network, the Schaan plant has a primary focus on technological know-how and on supporting product development through new manufacturing processes. It maintains this focus through continuous improvement projects, consistent lean orientation and methodical expertise. Particular attention is paid to quality management, having a leadership culture and employee integration.

In its assessment the MX Award jury praised, among other factors, the “outstanding technological know-how which serves as the foundation for collective product and process innovation.” The modern, user-oriented IT systems and the comprehensive process integration of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system aid in quality tracking and order visualization. Additional positive factors cited were the inclusion of employees in designing improvement and training activities and the general atmosphere. “The strategic emphasis and defining of objectives are transparent and are discussed openly. The entire package is exemplary,” stated the jury.

The assessment for the MX Award takes place in two steps. First, a company’s submission is studied and different companies are then nominated in the various categories. This step is followed by a detailed on-site analysis which is carried out by independent experts within the industry.