C.D. Wälzholz GmbH & Co. KG is a global manufacturer of specialty products made from cold-rolled strip steel, flat wire, and profiles. With a worldwide network of production facilities and service centers, Wälzholz serves customers around the globe.
In response to the growing challenges of the global steel supply chain, WAELZHOLZ has developed a customized B2B customer portal. The goal is to digitally access the company's complex data and business processes, thus increasing efficiency and improving customer relationships. In collaboration with TOWA, WAELZHOLZ implemented a Spryker-based platform tailored to its needs and those of its customers.
1
billion
Revenue
2300
Employees
1
year
Project duration
Business Challenge: Transparent Supply Chain for B2B Customers
WAELZHOLZ is a leading manufacturer in the cold-rolled steel industry. The company faces the challenge of offering its customers a transparent and efficient supply chain. Customers require real-time information on production status, inventory levels, and delivery dates. They also expect easy access to relevant business process documents, such as invoices and order confirmations.
The challenge was to further develop the existing digital infrastructure systematically and provide customers with a seamless, modern experience throughout the supply chain.
Transitioning from Manual Processes to a Self-Service Solution
To provide customers with greater autonomy in their interactions with Waelzholz, a self-service approach was adopted that offers tangible benefits in daily operations. Rather than a complete overhaul, it was a targeted expansion of existing digital processes, in addition to personal support for direct contacts.
The Spryker B2B Commerce Platform provided the ideal technological foundation for this. It allows highly specialized processes to be mapped, scaled flexibly, and supplemented specifically with modular services — for example, in areas such as document access, order status, and complaint handling.
Digital Document Management
We have implemented a self-service portal that provides customers with order-related documents, such as delivery notes, invoices, order confirmations, and factory certificates, at any time. These files are immediately available in the respective overview, are automatically updated, and can be downloaded. This solution aims to increase transparency throughout the supply chain.
The portal also offers a central overview of service-related processes, including status information on previously submitted requests. This display is based on Winkelholz's internal process steps, providing complete transparency regarding the processing status. As all relevant information is consolidated, the portal increasingly becomes a single source of truth for customers, serving not only as a viewing tool, but also as a central repository. A separate archive is often unnecessary.
Digital Insight into Production Planning
The self-service portal provides a digital overview of production stock levels, traditional inventory levels, and scheduled call-offs. For each item, it shows the total order backlog, quantities in process, available inventory, and reserved call-off quantities.
By linking to call-offs, the scheduling and production departments can identify which quantities will leave the warehouse and when early on, thus synchronizing their planning more precisely with the material flow. Real-time updates provide a reliable data foundation for quick decision-making throughout the supply chain, thereby increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Data and System Integration with Lobster
WAELZHOLZ´s system and data integration strategy focuses on the future with the Spryker Commerce OS. It is a modular, API-first, headless commerce backend. This platform offers vital features for B2B operations, including company accounts, highly granular role and rights management, and customizable ordering processes.
The Lobster integration solution seamlessly connects Spryker with Microsoft Business Central (BC) and other systems. Lobster automates data exchange, harmonizes formats, ensures real-time synchronization between systems, and minimizes the need for manual interface maintenance.
The combination of Spryker, BC, and Lobster creates a scalable, robust IT architecture that enables end-to-end processes, ensures data consistency, and improves operational efficiency.
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