Operational efficiency in an industry is directly linked to accuracy in production planning and control. Organized processes, centralized strategic decisions, and purposeful autonomy for the team — combined with technological support — make it possible to eliminate excessive dependence on employees’ tacit knowledge, ensuring greater predictability and reliability in operations.
Context
Nicioli, a reference in the kitchen furniture sector, faced challenges in material management and factory production at its plant in Arapongas, Paraná. With business expansion and increasing demand, the manual systems previously used no longer fully met operational needs. In this scenario, in April 2024, the company launched its Digital and Operational Transformation Project with a clear focus: aligning processes, integrating technology, and empowering people, ensuring an efficient information flow that continuously improves productivity and enhances operational results.
The Problem
Nicioli’s main difficulty was the absence of an efficient system to automate the order intake flow and the production sequence in the factory. Dependent on employees’ informal knowledge, processes were executed without structured records, generating a series of operational challenges.
Material planning failures, directly impacting inventory control and delivery deadlines.
Misalignment between demand and production, creating bottlenecks at some points and idleness at others.
Inconsistencies in shipping, due to fluctuations in information about material quantities and delivery times.
Difficulty in decision-making, since critical information was in the “heads” of leadership, overloading managers and making processes less agile and precise.
The Solution
The scenario required a solution that would not only structure processes but also enable teams to work more efficiently, reducing dependence on manually generated information. In a modern factory, with a committed and experienced team, it was necessary only to “fine-tune” the operational flow and incorporate technology to boost results.
With this objective, a work plan was structured including a detailed diagnosis to cleanse technical data, analysis and definition of material planning, and people training. From this approach, the necessary foundation was created to automate material management, ensuring greater precision and efficiency in processes. As a consequence of this evolution, the company used OTMSuite to develop operational automations integrated with the ERP, bringing even more data reliability and enabling a more fluid and organized operation.
The Otimiza team, together with company professionals from areas such as IT, administration, commercial, and PPCP, structured an action plan aligned with business needs. The implementation was a joint effort in which Otimiza’s expertise met an environment prepared to evolve. With technology transfer and process alignment, Nicioli consolidated a more efficient, reliable, and integrated operating model, assimilating the work and gaining autonomy to manage its processes independently and sustainably.
Results
Nicioli not only achieved more agile and accurate production management but also integrated a complete set of solutions and tools that transformed its processes. OTMSuite automated material planning, eliminating manual errors and ensuring reliable information about inventory, demand, and deadlines. As a result, the company achieved more balanced inventory levels, avoiding excesses and shortages, and fully meeting customer demands without waste. Integration among areas such as commercial, PPCP, shipping, and IT brought greater transparency and efficiency, resulting in faster shipping aligned with actual production. In addition, teams became more autonomous, basing decisions on precise data — a combined success of people, purpose, and technology.
About Nicioli
With more than 63 years of tradition, Nicioli is a reference in the manufacture of kitchen furniture, combining innovation, quality, and commitment to the customer. Located in Arapongas (PR), the company has a 37,000 m² facility and more than 280 employees dedicated to producing compact kitchens, modular units, and display cabinets.
Guided by the values of excellence, respect, and innovation, Nicioli continuously invests in technology, training, and sustainability. With its own fleet, it ensures efficient logistics throughout Brazil, delivering furniture that combines functionality and design with the tradition of those who understand that the kitchen is the heart of the home.
Our Deliveries
Integrated Manufacturing Management
One of Otimiza’s deliveries for Nicioli was the structuring of Integrated Manufacturing Management, ensuring efficient planning and control of productive resources.
With formalized processes and aligned decisions, the company eliminated dependence on informal methods, promoting collaboration instead of individualism. The result was a clearer workflow, where everyone knows what to do, when to do it, and has access to standardized information for each need.
People Management
Development of Excellence in People Management.
Otimiza contributed to Nicioli by aligning individual competencies with the company’s strategic objectives. With the implementation of competency-based management, continuous feedback practices, and balanced HR policies, a training plan was developed that strengthened the team. The result was a more engaged workforce, in tune with the organization’s pace and prepared for new challenges.
Business Technology
Business technology involves the implementation of computerized solutions, such as OTMSuite, to optimize processes and automate tasks. Through the development of customized applications, companies become equipped with intelligent rules that increase efficiency. The result is more fluid processes, with greater control and integrity, in addition to reduced time and rework.
