Consolidating development on one platform
The choice forms part of Geberit's broader effort to improve business processes, which includes group-wide projects and a worldwide innovation platform. Geberit had used specialized applications from Dassault Systèmes since 1987 before selecting 3DEXPERIENCE for mechanical engineering, design management and collaboration across the company.
Juerg Huber, Geberit's head of R&D applications, said: "By adopting a single platform, we can consolidate multiple data platforms, optimize processes and help ensure leading, competitive operations for the future."
Testing designs and manufacturing virtually
Dassault Systèmes, a provider of 3D design, digital mock-up and product lifecycle management software, said the platform connects Geberit's design and engineering work. Teams can use it to evaluate designs against cost objectives while meeting sustainability targets and safety standards.
The software also lets Geberit test and validate designs, program manufacturing operations and simulate production. According to Dassault Systèmes, these capabilities reduce reliance on physical prototypes and help establish early in development whether a product can be manufactured.
Those requirements span more than appearance. Geberit's sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics must meet expectations for quality and reliability even when the products are concealed after installation. Development also has to account for comfort, hygiene, hydraulics, fire protection, acoustics and sustainability.
Chris Colyer, Dassault Systèmes' vice president for the consumer goods and retail industry, said the platform could strengthen collaboration among Geberit's stakeholders and make engineering and manufacturing more efficient. He said it could help the company deliver functional, durable products within schedule and budget constraints.
Geberit's international operations
At the time of the announcement, Dassault Systèmes described Geberit as a Swiss-headquartered global supplier with 35 production facilities and more than 12,000 employees across 40 countries.
Geberit had acquired ceramics company Sanitec in February 2015, a deal that made it the European market leader for sanitary products, according to Geberit's 2016 Integrated Annual Report. Beginning January 1, 2016, Geberit and the former Sanitec businesses operated as one company for sales in every market.
For the full year, the report recorded net sales of CHF 2,809.0 million, an increase of 8.3% from 2015. Its year-end workforce figure was 11,592 employees.
