5 minute read
Meier
New processes to raise the level
This well known German company, a specialist in modified chassis for the RV industry, is increasing its productivity by introducing new ERP software and also planning a massive expansion of its production site in the near future
Words Enrico Bona
Fahrzeugbau Meier GmbH is a German family business founded by Hermann Meier in 2001. It is a specialist in the conversion of chassis for large RVs and the most luxurious European liners. Fahrzeugbau Meier works on the original chassis and, to meet the technical needs of the modified vehicle in line with the customer’s needs, modifies its structure by adapting the suspension systems, wheel base, axle, driving position and all the housings for components, such as special tanks and electrical wiring or hydraulics.
The product
The service provided by Fahrzeugbau Meier is the stage between the chassis manufacturer and the camper manufacturer. It customises the chassis according to the client’s specifications and needs. Fahrzeugbau Meier handles the entire process from the concept of the project to the actual production of the modified chassis so the client doesn’t have to deal with any of these technicalities themselves. It delivers the chassis to the client’s production line complete with all modifications the client requires. These are mostly on the front part and suspension, plus technical items, such as gas and fuel tanks, which all need to be appropriate for the enlarged performance of the chassis.
The Meier Pedestal
Depending on the type of project, from big integrated campers to colossal liners, Fahrzeugbau Meier can change 100% of the front of the original cab thanks to its tried-and-trusted ‘Podestumbau’ (pedestal conversion), certified to ECE regulation R14. This platform is the Fahrzeugbau Meier’s basic modular conversion which integrates the cockpit of main large vehicles in the sector, such as Iveco Daily, Iveco Eurocargo, Mercedes Benz Atego and, since last year, the great Mercedes Actros. These chassis are the main ones traditionally selected for the luxury liners sector of the market and Fahrzeugbau Meier’s pedestal has been the first conversion base in the market, which opened the way for extra-large liners to be designed. The Podestumbau brings advantages, such as, having no steps between driver’s cabin and living area, improved sound and heat insulation, improved visibility due to a forward seating position and a significant reduction in weights.
The growth and the new ERP system
Today, Fahrzeugbau Meier has industrial scale, market stability and a firm technological know-how built from 20 years of experience, but it is always looking forward towards even greater growth. Currently, the company has six production halls at its based in Altdorf near Nuremberg, Germany, and already has permission to expand to double the size of the current facility. Fahrzeugbau Meier is planning for growth in the next years, including new offices and new production halls, to en-
able it to handle all the current products and processes better. In the last 5-10 years, Fahrzeugbau Meier has already nearly doubled its personnel, volumes and revenues. In order to keep on growing, it is has now made an important investment in the reorganization of the warehouse’s processes using special ERP software developed by abas Software GmbH. This will organise the new production process according to the most efficient and modern Enterprise Resource Planning criteria. This remarkable redesign of production processes and spaces, in synergy with the capabilities of the abas software, is able to optimize production, solve many problems and provide the customer with an increasingly safe and accurate product that’s always on time (see box on the right). “In addition to the benefits for customers, this new integration between production and logistics, thanks to the abas software, provides us with a variety of valuable information which is extremely useful for continuing to improve even the smallest details,” says Marco Vacca, Commercial Director of Fahrzeugbau Meier. “The sophistication we have achieved in the tuning between software and production also allows us to modify each phase of the process with extreme ease, if necessary,” added Marco Vacca. These innovations, which will radically enhance Fahrzeugbau Meier’s performance, took more than two years between design and intense testing phases. “We planned to launch this new phase of the company, with the integration of abas software into our production and processes, as soon as possible. However, we wanted to complete further tests in order to reach the highest level of con-
Marco Vacca fidence, so the new system will be fully operational from March 1st,” adds Marco Vacca, who is also the internal head of the renovation project. “Designing the entire production process, together with the abas team, was a great project and industrial challenge that has led us to now be able to guarantee our customers the utmost precision and highest quality, both in the manufacturing of products
“The investments and in delivery times,” and the commitment he continued. to quality are the As the global markets are currently showing, foundation for the the RV sector is more further growth” alive and active than ever before. This is also a phase when large companies must invest to maintain their position and, above all, maintain their high quality standards and strict compliance with delivery times. The scarcity of raw materials and the lengthening of the supply chain offer challenges to which Fahrzeugbau Meier presents itself as a modern, structured and innovative company, not only in its products but also in its values and corporate capabilities. “Facing these challenging times doesn’t worry us, but, on the contrary, motivates us to grow more and more solidly” says Marco Vacca.
ERP software and certifications
The renowed abas ERP software has emproved the Fahrzeugbau Meier configurator to provide an efficient and integrated production process. The advantages for the client can be summarised as: • Safer processes • Faster service • No mistakes • Production tracking • Flexible system for any change and any volume, even in work in progress • All COC certifications provided
“The investments and the commitment of the Meier family to quality, together with the introduction of the abas system, are the foundation for the further growth that Fahrzeugbau Meier chases for the future,” concludes Marco Vacca.