Kovovyroba Hoffmann Fosters Collaborative Innovation with Global Automotive OEMs Using PLM Solutions

05/23/2006

The supply chain becomes a key innovation drive

Paris, France, May 23, 2006 ─ IBM and Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), today announced that Kovovyroba Hoffmann, a leading automotive supplier based in the Czech Republic, has chosen their PLM solutions to foster innovative collaboration with global automotive OEMs and achieve higher quality, faster time-to-market and overall costs savings. Kovovyroba Hoffmann is leading the way by leveraging the collaborative power of PLM in a global industry where more than 65% of a vehicle’s  value is created in the supply chain and by automotive suppliers that are true ‘innovation engines’.

In IBM’s latest survey, CEOs across several industries worldwide confirmed that most of their company’s new ideas and innovations are being sourced from external partners. In the study, the ability to collaborate with external partners, regardless of their location, has shown a large correlation with improving a company’s financial results.

Marek Hoffmann, CEO of Kovovyroba Hoffmann explains, “Thanks to these PLM solutions we can improve our collaboration with our customers and increase the profitability of our accounts. We also are able to engage in a greater number of business opportunities and be an even more innovative partner to our clients.” Kovovyroba Hoffmann, a key supplier to global OEMs is a Czech company which produces and supplies prototype mold and die tools, automotive parts, data-control models and subassembly prototypes. One of Kovovyroba Hoffmann’s strategic objectives is to extend its design and production capacity, in order to improve its competitiveness in the prototype production of small series, and to achieve a competitive advantage in foreign markets.

Kovovyroba Hoffmann chose to optimize key company processes by implementing PLM supply chain collaboration solutions from IBM, including ENOVIA SmarTeam for collaboration management and CATIA V5 for 3D product design. Hervé Rolland, vice-president PLM solutions, IBM Europe, explains: “The automotive industry is highly competitive, with suppliers focused on becoming innovation partners to OEMs not only by offering high quality execution but also by demonstrating seamless and controlled processes aligned with the processes and toolsets of their customers and prospects. Our PLM solutions deliver a key competitive advantage to automotive suppliers.”

Denis Senpéré, general manager PLM North Europe for Dassault Systèmes adds, “Kovovyroba Hoffmann’s decision reflects the business benefits derived from our integrated PLM solutions, which are proven enablers for more innovation, more quality and flexibility.
As well, it perfectly illustrates how new ways of collaboration can bring benefits to the whole automotive industry.”

About Dassault Systèmes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, the Dassault Systèmes group brings value to more than 90,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM, ENOVIA MatrixOne and ENOVIA SmarTeam. Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit : http://www.3ds.com

 

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and SolidWorks are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.

About IBM

To learn more about IBM and PLM, visit: www.ibm.com/solutions/plm