Swiss-made brush craftsmanship 4.0 powered by PROXIA MES
Ebnat AG, a leading manufacturer of interdental brushes and other brush products, has taken a major step toward Industry 4.0 thanks to PROXIA’s MES solutions. With decades of tradition in brush craftsmanship, the company has evolved from a small workshop into a modern industrial enterprise with sales exceeding 50 million CHF. Since 2017, Ebnat has been using PROXIA’s innovative MES solutions to make its production processes more efficient and transparent. “PROXIA MES is the key to an effective process data cockpit that helps us align the business with our objectives and support the team in driving improvements,” says Michele Vela, CEO of Ebnat AG.
From manual processes to transparency and planning reliability
Before implementing the MES system in 2017, Ebnat used an outdated ERP system with no connection to production. Manual entries and Excel-based processes often led to discrepancies, and key metrics on machine availability and production efficiency were lacking. “Without data, without numbers, without facts, you’ve got a problem,” says project manager Thomas Hilberer. Post-calculations and performance evaluations were also not possible, and scrap had to be recorded manually.
Digital networking and real-time data
Ebnat’s strategic goal was to digitize all production order data and resources and connect them with the maintenance and servicing departments. PROXIA’s MES system was intended not only to provide real-time data but also to ensure end-to-end traceability and transparency. “We wanted comprehensive digital networking and the ability to measure all resources involved in the value creation process,” says Hilberer.
Successful MES implementation
The modular structure of PROXIA’s MES software allowed for a step-by-step implementation, enabling investment costs to be distributed efficiently. Thanks to the user-friendly interface and customizable configuration options, PROXIA MES achieved a high level of acceptance among employees. Thomas Hilberer explains, “The introduction of machine data acquisition was the icebreaker. By now, we’re all in the same boat.”
Growth toward Industry 4.0
Today, Ebnat benefits from significantly higher system availability and greater transparency in its production processes. The company has increased machine availability and now has access to complete traceability and detailed production metrics. “With the introduction of MES, there are far fewer follow-up questions, the processes are more transparent—there’s huge potential waiting to be unlocked,” Hilberer concludes.
Ebnat’s journey toward Industry 4.0 is far from over. The company plans to integrate additional PROXIA modules, including detailed scheduling and CAQ, to further optimize its production processes.
The successful collaboration between Ebnat and PROXIA demonstrates how well-planned digitalization of production processes can lead not only to increased efficiency but also to long-term sustainability.
PROXIA Press Contact
die marketingarchitekten Barbara Maurer Fasanenstraße 22 85591 Vaterstetten marketing@proxia.com T: 08106/9292326