Strähl Käse
End-to-end digitalization of cheesemaking processes
Strähl Käse AG, a traditional Swiss cheese dairy, has a keen sense for innovation that extends well beyond the production of its specialty cheeses. By making forward-looking investments in state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive digitalization, the company has evolved into one of the region’s leading milk processors.
Whether raclette, Tilsit, or cheese fondue – since 1935, Strähl has processed milk from regional farms in innovative, premium cheese products. The family business sees ensuring high product quality and continually improving the cheesemaking processes as their top priority. To reach these goals, Strähl relies on motivated people and the right technologies.
Since 2017, the Swiss cheese dairy has controlled its processes with the ERP system from CSB. What started out as a digitalization project in order entry and financial accounting now permeates the complete value chain, from production to shipping.
Progressive digitalization
Strähl Käse AG systematically drives its digitalization with an entrepreneurial vision. At the two production facilities in Siegershausen and Bürglen, they leverage synergies to efficiently implement innovative solutions. The processed cheese factory in Bürglen plays a central role being the pioneer in the digital transformation.
Thanks to the clear structure in production and the lean product portfolio, new technologies can be introduced fast and tested in practice at the Bürglen site. For example, the processed cheese plant was the first site to successfully introduce both the CSB-System’s integrated production planning solution and fully digitalized manufacturing processes.
The data from the sales orders is joined in production scheduling. The consolidated overview allows accurate planning of production quantities and batches. The plan data is directly sent to mobile ERP (MERP) in production to maintain a high degree of flexibility. Batches can be generated automatically, and production can be started.
The insights gained from the implementation have been incorporated into the subsequent introduction at the headquarters in Siegershausen, where a significantly greater number of different items is manufactured. This tried-and-true approach ensures that every digital innovation is tested and optimized in a reduced scope before it is integrated into the more complex processes at the main facility.
As a general rule, only solutions that provide an evident added value and a convincing cost-benefit ratio are used.
Efficient logistics
The efficiency in the logistics area at Strähl Käse AG also has been systematically improved over the past few years. In the past, order picking was still done using a pen and paper. The recorded data then needed to be entered manually into the system by the people in the sales back office.
Today, this process is paperless and much more efficient: Picking has been migrated to a modern mobile ERP application. The new shipping solution, combined with the use of SSCCs (Serial Shipping Container Codes), has significantly advanced the efficiency of order processing. The mobile ERP system also supports cross-docking for major customers.
The result: the order picking speed is enhanced significantly, inventory levels are available in real time, and products can be traced seamlessly and reliably. What is more, the new solution enables automated communication with the customers. This means a substantial cost reduction.
Further business growth with ERP
At Strähl, the utilization rate of the ERP software has steadily increased. Large parts of the value chain are now portrayed in the integrated ERP system. The cheese dairy continually works on the development of its digital processes to unlock even more potential in the future.
Their next goal is to further optimize the planning process to improve efficiency and flexibility in production. At the same time, they are introducing the internal Document Workflow Management in the CSB-System. Using automated workflows, internal documents are distributed to the right positions within the company in a structured, traceable, and targeted manner. This improves communication and ensures clearly defined processes.
Strähl Käse AG is a model for the digitalization of its operations. “At Strähl, we understand digitalization not as a one-off project, but as a continuous improvement process. Whether in production, picking, or planning: Well-thought-out digital solutions help use to work more efficiently, respond faster, and at the same time, assure the quality of our products,” Markus Egli, Operations Manager at Strähl Käse AG, explains.
“Digitalization where it’s worth it” – this has always been the guiding principle of the cheese dairy. “Progress needs to be compatible with the day-to-day operations – and it must always pursue a clearly measurable goal,” says Egli.