2 Solutions – 1 Provider

"Before we integrated SIPal into our company for the first time, the search for the right packages was not as efficient as we would have liked. That is now a thing of the past," Mattias Holmqvist, who is responsible for logistics at Södra Wood Långasjö, says, opening the conversation with Holzkurier in the south of Sweden, at one of a total of eight sawmills operated by the Swedish wood group Södra.

"However, there were often challenges at the interfaces between different software solutions. With the complete integration of SIPal into Ticom, we no longer have to worry about that," Holmqvist continues, and Erik Petersson, Consultant at Timbertec, adds, "With Timbertec's acquisition of Datapolarna, we can now offer the long-established logistics solution SIPal, which has been widely used in the Nordic countries, together with Ticom. For our customers, this means combining two solutions in one. No more interfaces, and a comprehensive system integration of all the processes in package logistics which are critical to success.

IT as Key Factor

Södra is one of the largest wood groups in Sweden, with an annual softwood lumber production of around 2 million m³. "IT is one of the areas that are crucial for a company’s success in today's global markets. Software solutions are therefore essential for long-term profitability. This includes not only a comprehensive ERP system but also the integration and optimization of in-house logistics as a whole," Johanna Lindén, CFO and IT Manager at Södra Wood, says and adds, "Looking back, we are very pleased with our decision to switch over to a Ticom ERP system. Timbertec is always striving to achieve the best output for its customers. They come from the timber industry and are well acquainted with it. That is a significant advantage when working with an ERP system in such a specific business as ours.”

Success Stories Beyond Business Relations

In 2018, Södra began the gradual process of standardizing its IT and ERP systems across all of its production sites. As a member of the Södra team, Hanna Johansson has been involved in the Timbertec project from the very beginning. After the successful implementation of Ticom, she took over the management of quality assurance and is now the Product Owner of Ticom within the Södra group. "I work with Timbertec almost every day. By now, it almost feels like we are one team and not two separate companies," Johansson proudly tells us about the long-standing collaboration with Timbertec.

No More Unnecessary Trips

Södra has been using the in-house logistics software SIPal for several years. Lindén sees numerous advantages in this: "On the one hand, the working environment for the forklift drivers has improved significantly thanks to the use of SIPal. Furthermore, this tool helps us with data exchange between our production sites, making this process much easier. Before, our daily work involved a lot of manual paperwork, which not only carried a high risk of errors but was also very time-consuming." "Now, we save time and forklift drivers can handle new orders or be deployed elsewhere. With all these optimizations, in-house logistics can be made up to 20% more efficient," Petersson explains. This is possible thanks to a sophisticated sender and receiver system. At Södra, each storage space is equipped with an RFID tag in the floor. As soon as the forklift approaches a storage space, the system immediately knows its location. This is visualized using an accurate digital map of the real location and displayed on the screen which is integrated in every forklift cabin. This way, the forklift drivers not only know exactly where they are but also where their next destination or assignment is located. Södra is already working on expanding the use of the system. "Our colleagues are really satisfied with the solution. Following the seamless integration of SIPal into Ticom, we are already working on implementing this combined solution at our other sites," Johansson says and adds: "Instead of having two points of contact, we now have only one for both systems. This not only significantly improves the mutual integration of the systems but also makes communication much easier."

Speaking the Language of Its Customers

At Timbertec, this is not only a metaphorical statement. With the acquisition of Datapolarna, the company has significantly increased its presence in the Nordic countries and now has two service branches with Swedish-speaking staff in Växjö and Skellefteå.

"For us, this is a huge advantage. Communication is essential for the success of the entire project, and language naturally plays an important role," Johansson explains. Petersson, who came to Långasjö from Växjö, adds: "At Timbertec, we always want to be as close to our customers as possible. Only then can we provide the level of service that we stand for and that our customers appreciate. With branches in Sweden, Germany, and Austria, we are very well-positioned, and as part of the Genii Group, we also have the necessary size and background capacity to supply the market with the best possible solutions."