Management + Systems

PRINZ has looked to further digitise its business by introducing a new large interactive digital whiteboard to a central location within its production – providing access to all data and information regarding the production process.

Founded in 1875, PRINZ has achieved its long-term success by creating close relationships with customers and ‘delivering more than promised’. This step in its digitalisation underlines the company’s commitment to constantly evolving and delivering both quality products and services to its customers.

Through the new interactive whiteboard, teamwork and communication is improved, as access to drawings and quality documents can be done quickly and easily. In addition, shop floor meetings between foremen, maintenance engineers, and managing directors, can take place at the heart of PRINZ’s production, on a regular basis. Further boards are planned elsewhere and supervisors will be equipped with tablets.  

“The new interactive whiteboards provide quick access to data, helping us to say goodbye to paper, and is another step towards optimising our processes,” explains PRINZ. “Digitalisation is a huge topic, which is why we have used ‘digital scouts’ – who inspired the use of the whiteboards and have also had an impact on our document management and the evaluation of data, as well as in the actions of  management and in production – helping us be more competitive.”

In six workshops, PRINZ has dealt with selected topics together with ‘digital scouts’ from other companies. Within the workshops the inner attitude towards digitalisation was reviewed, along with the evaluation of processes in the company and the collection and visualisation of data. The networking of departments and systems was also discussed, as were funding opportunities. 

“Experts from research and practitioners from companies accompanied the workshops and other topics were also discussed,” points out PRINZ. “For instance, we are currently dealing more and more with the topic of Artificial Intelligence. This will also be important for us in the near future.”

In addition to the steps taken regarding digitalisation, PRINZ has also worked on expanding its product portfolio to include new dimensions – with connecting elements available from 2mm diameter – and in targeting new industries. Plus, the company has added additional manufacturing depth to include small assemblies of ultra high tensile bolts. 

“We are no longer just a manufacturer of fasteners, we are a specialist and development partner in metal connections – with the ability to offer additional services and application consulting if requested,” highlights PRINZ.