Werner Co. to drastically reduce its design cycle with leading CAD software while using SMARTEAM to manage data and streamline workflow
CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2003-- The world's leading ladder manufacturer and distributor will use SolidWorks(R) three-dimensional computer-aided design (3D CAD) and SMARTEAM(R) product data management (PDM) software to dramatically shorten its design cycle time, SolidWorks announced today. SolidWorks' powerful modeling capabilities and intuitive user interface will enable Werner Co. to increase product development and quickly migrate from static 2D drawings to 3D solid models. The ability to visualize products in 3D will help Werner Co. troubleshoot potential design flaws, reducing the number of expensive prototypes it builds, and speeding products to customers.
"Working in 2D limited our ability to transform our ideas into
compelling designs that we could use to stay competitive," said John
Fiumefreddo, vice president of engineering and new product development
at Werner Co. "SolidWorks 3D solid modeling will allow us to go from
part design to finished product faster, and with fewer errors, than
with AutoCAD. That efficiency will help us meet a new company-wide
goal of increasing product development so that we can further distance
our products from a growing number of competitors' 'me-too' designs."
Founded in 1922, Pennsylvania-based Werner Co. pioneered the
extension ladder market. The company designs and distributes a variety
of climbing products ranging from step stools to attic ladders and
scaffolding for both residential and commercial uses. The company
purchased 22 licenses of SolidWorks because the software's Windows(R)
interface simplifies 3D CAD and helps users work more efficiently.
"Designing new products for the climbing industry requires building
several prototypes that the marketing team must try out," said
Fiumefreddo. "The feel of these products is essential. If they feel
too clunky, or too flimsy, they won't sell. SolidWorks will allow us
to quickly and easily tweak our solid models without having to
reconstruct the design from scratch so that we can begin production
sooner."
For example, Werner Co. will use SolidWorks to calculate the
volumes and density of materials for a new extension ladder design to
determine the finished product's weight. If the ladder is too heavy,
it won't be practical for both residential and commercial use. With
SolidWorks, Fiumefreddo and his team can quickly revise the design to
reduce its overall weight and make it more marketable.
Streamlining product design and workflow
Werner Co. will use SolidWorks SMARTEAM PDM software to manage all
of the CAD data it generates. Werner Co. engineers will use SMARTEAM
to create parts libraries that they can easily access to plug
already-designed parts into product designs without having to recreate
parts. SMARTEAM will also help Werner Co. engineers maintain version
control over product designs so that engineers working on the same
design see the most up-to-date version.
Werner Co. plans to link SMARTEAM to the company's enterprise
resource planning (ERP) system to streamline product design and
workflow and eliminate the paper trail involved in product
development, delivery, and sales. For example, the company usually has
200 to 300 engineering change orders (ECOs) - requests to change a
finalized design - per year. Each ECO usually takes nearly three weeks
to process because it affects design, manufacturing, scheduling, and
sales departments. By linking these different departments via SMARTEAM
and its ERP system, Werner Co. can reduce the ECO time from three
weeks to less than two days.
"In a market where product differentiation can sometimes boil down
to a matter of ounces or a couple of inches, design innovation becomes
absolutely crucial," said Mike Crismond, vice president of North
American sales at SolidWorks. "SolidWorks will enable Werner Co. to
smooth the transition from 2D to 3D and help engineers better
visualize how they can improve product design. SMARTEAM will manage
all of the company's CAD data to maintain version control and pave the
way for more efficient workflow, so Werner Co. can stay on top of the
world's climbing product market."
About Werner Co.
Werner Co. is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of
ladders, climbing equipment, and ladder accessories. Backed by over 50
years of product innovation, Werner leads the industry with its
commitment to design and manufacture quality products that meet or
exceed applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) codes and standards
for strength and structural integrity. Werner is headquartered in
Greenville, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in Greenville,
Chicago, Anniston, Ala., Carrollton, Ky., and Merced, Calif.
About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq:
DASTY,
Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software
for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. Founded
in 1993, SolidWorks' mission is to unleash the power of 3D for
everyone in product development and foster a collaborative user
community. In seven years of delivering product, SolidWorks has
shipped more than 230,000 total seats of software worldwide.
SolidWorks has offices around the globe and sells, distributes, and
supports its products through a worldwide reseller network. For the
latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the
company's Web site (
www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000
(outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation.
SMARTEAM is a registered trademark of SmarTeam Corporation Ltd. Other
brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Copyright (c) 2003 SolidWorks Corporation.
CONTACT: SolidWorks Corporation
Laura Kozikowski, 978/371-5077
Email Contact
or
Beaupre & Co. Public Relations, Inc.
Darby Johnson, 603/559-5809
Email Contact
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