FN_Herstal_Synopsis.pdf (application/pdf Object)

FN_Herstal_Synopsis.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 Copyright © CIMdata Inc 2009.07 Page 1 of 3
FN Herstal
CIMdata PLM Implementation Brief
This CIMdata PLM Implementation Brief describes the results of a CIMdata interview with
FN Herstal, a PTC customer. The intent of the interview was to understand why
companies should, and in fact need to invest in PLM-enabling collaborative solutions
during stressful as well as prosperous economic times. This Brief originally appeared with
others in CIMdata’s “Economic Benefits of PLM-Enabled Collaboration” whitepaper,
published in May 2009.
FN Herstal, which is part of the Herstal Group, is known around the world for its FN
Herstal, Browning, and Winchester brands. The Herstal Group designs, manufactures, and
distributes a full range of firearms and accessories for defense, law enforcement, hunting
and marksmanship, and is headquartered in Herstal, a suburb of Liege, Belgium. FN
Herstal’s Liege facilities house the departments responsible for the design, development,
testing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling of light and portable weapons, integrated
weapon systems, and ammunition to military and law enforcement agencies around the
world. Additionally, FN Herstal has two wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries: FN Manufacturing
located in Columbia, South Carolina, and FNH USA located in McLean, Virginia.
FN Herstal has a long history of using PLM-enabling technologies, with their first
installation of a commercially-available computer-aided drawing tool in 1976. They were
also an early adopter of 2D and 3D modeling technologies; in 1986 they implemented
Hewlett-Packard’s ME10 and Matra Datavision’s Euclid tools. They made their next major
step in 1991 when the group’s military area implemented an early version of PTC’s
Pro/ENGINEER mechanical computer-aided design (CAD) system. This implementation
was followed by the rollout of Pro/ENGINEER to the group’s civil area in 1992. Over the
years, the use of Pro/ENGINEER has expanded significantly. Today, FN Herstal’s CAD
users utilize a number of Pro/ENGINEER’s advanced functions, including those that
support advanced assembly modeling, interactive surface design, thermal and structural
simulation, machine path generation, and mold design, to name just a few.
FN Herstal’s history related to the implementation and use of product data management
(PDM)-related solutions is just about as long. The organization’s first PDM system was
implemented in 1986. This internally-developed system was focused on managing the
data interactions between engineering and manufacturing. FN Herstal’s first use of a
commercially-available data management solution started with their implementation of
Xerox’s DocuPlex in 1994. For the next few years, FN Herstal utilized both its homegrown
system and DocuPlex to manage engineering-generated documentation, and part and bill
of material-related data. Then in 1996, the group replaced their homegrown system with
SDRC’s Metaphase (Giat Industries’ standard solution; Herstal was owned by Giat at that
time) and created a link between it and their manufacturing system. They also created a
link between Metaphase and DocuPlex. FN Herstal further evolved its PDM environment
with the implementation of Pro/INTRALINK in 1999 throughout its U.S.-based
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organization; Pro/INTRALINK was later deployed throughout the rest of the organization in
2001.
As mentioned above, FN Herstal’s interaction with PTC dates from 1991 when it first
implemented Pro/ENGINEER. The group further expanded its relationship in 1999 and
2001 when it deployed Pro/INTRALINK to manage its Pro/ENGINEER data and in 2002
when the group decided on PTC’s product development suite as its unique tool for product
management. This later commitment included the deployment of Windchill PDMLink
throughout the organization, and execution of a worldwide partnership framework with
PTC. Over the years, the organization has continued to expand its partnership with PTC
and its reliance on PTC’s product development supporting solutions. Currently, the group
is in the process of migrating its legacy Metaphase-managed data to the Windchill
PDMLink solution.
In a recent interview with CIMdata, Mr. Philippe Niesten, CIO of the Herstal Group,
reported that its partnership with PTC has expanded over the years and that Herstal
considers PTC to be a strategic partner. Mr. Niesten made specific reference to PTC’s
Product First initiative and how this initiative places focus on enabling a company’s
product development environment. He further explained how Herstal sees PTC’s Product
Development System as an excellent fit to Herstal’s product-oriented operating model—
where product innovation (e.g., Smartgun technology), product quality improvement
(including eliminating warranty claims), and time-to-market reduction are all critical for
effective competitive positioning in their market. Mr. Niesten went on to state that Herstal’s
success is highly dependent on its ability to collaborate internally as well as with its
suppliers and customers (e.g., U.S. Department of Defense, multiple local law
enforcement agencies, etc.), and to develop new products and integrated weapon systems
quicker and more efficiently.
Given Mr. Niesten’s comments, FN Herstal appears to be one of a growing list of
companies that CIMdata has seen who have realized that the implementation and use of
PLM-enabled collaborative solutions is critical to their survival. Mr. Niesten stated that the
company views PLM as a way to ensure that everyone within the product development
organization maintains alignment with their corporate strategies and associated policies.
This helps reduce the organization’s risks, especially those related to the danger of
releasing a design to manufacturing before it is ready. Mr. Niesten also indicated that over
the years, the group has realized a number of benefits as a result of following a PLM
strategy. These have included a noticeable improvement of designer efficiency through the
use of better design tools, being able to better collaborate through the use of visualization
technologies (ProductView from PTC), easier access to previous designs and related
product knowledge throughout the development process, and supporting and controlling
different processes from within one logical environment.
Mr. Niesten went on to state that Herstal’s ability to reduce R&D costs while at the same
time delivering more products to the market over a shortened period of time (e.g., their
development cycle has been reduced from around ten years to as little as three) has been
quite valuable. These represent key drivers for Herstal’s implementation of PLM-enabled
collaborative solutions. CIMdata’s experience and research indicates that Herstal is not
unlike many other companies that design and manufacture complex, highly-regulated
products where supply chain and customer interaction must be effective and efficient.
Clearly, Herstal has realized the value related to the implementation of collaborative
technologies and processes. Herstal’s motivation is clear; namely enable their product
development organization to be more efficient, develop more products in less time, and do
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all of this at a consistently high quality level while at the same time working more closely
with customers and suppliers on a global basis.
Finally, it should also be mentioned that Mr. Niesten was quick to point out that they have
much more work to do in order to fully achieve their PLM vision. The group’s plans go well
beyond fully migrating to Windchill PDMLink to include expanding the use of project
management technologies (e.g., the continued use of Windchill ProjectLink for
collaboration and task management support), and studying how PTC’s Arbortext could be
used to create dynamic videos and product documentation (e.g., manuals). In CIMdata’s
opinion, FN Herstal’s PLM journey is not unique. Its need for more efficient product
development operations and a more collaborative environment where it can work closely
within its organization as well as throughout the world with its various customers and
suppliers is no surprise. Clearly, FN Herstal is a good example of a company that
understands PLM’s value and necessity.
About CIMdata
CIMdata, an independent worldwide firm, provides strategic consulting to maximize an
enterprise’s ability to design and deliver innovative products and services through the
application of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). CIMdata provides world-class
knowledge, expertise, and best-practice methods on PLM. CIMdata also offers research,
subscription services, publications, and education through international conferences. Visit
www.CIMdata.com for more information.