How does Josef Schmitt Werkzeug optimize maintenance with a CMMS system?

Josef Schmitt Werkzeug is a fourth-generation family business that has been recognized as a leading specialist in forged forestry and gardening tools and high-quality wooden tool handles since 1919. At its production facility in Waghäusel, the company combines traditional craftsmanship—such as forging high-quality carbon steel and FSC®-certified woodworking—with state-of-the-art production technology.

To secure its competitive advantage “Made in Germany” and guarantee the reliability of its complex infrastructure, Josef Schmitt Werkzeug has fully digitalized its maintenance processes.

Challenges of the historic plant

Driven by its commitment to the highest quality and sustainability, Josef Schmitt Werkzeug had to address specific operational barriers:

• Complex infrastructure: Managing a diverse machinery park – from heavy forging hammers to eco-friendly water-based painting lines.

• Prevention versus reaction: The need to precisely plan regular inspections of drying chambers and heating systems (up to 700 kW), while at the same time being prepared for sudden machine failures.

• Mobile documentation: Providing access to technical manuals and repair history directly at the machine, not just in a central office.

Solution: Digital Transformation with CMMS

After intensively comparing market offers, Josef Schmitt Werkzeug opted for a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), which offered the perfect balance between functionality and long-term stability.

Main areas of application:

1. Preventive maintenance: Automated maintenance schedules for forging tools and woodworking machines to avoid unplanned downtime.

2. Mobile fault reporting: Utilize QR code scanning on machines to instantly report issues using your smartphone.

3. Centralized documentation: Digitize all machine-specific instructions and safety protocols for quick access on the job site.

A view from the management perspective

Tobias Schmitt, Managing Director (CEO) of Josef Schmitt Werkzeug, explains the decision to go digital:

“We compared several solutions and found a wide range of options combined with a fair price. Furthermore, this product has been on the market for several years, which gives us hope for a stable, long-term partnership.”

In his daily work, Schmitt particularly emphasizes the increase in efficiency thanks to mobile technologies:

“We use the software for both preventative maintenance and emergency response. In particular, the mobile phone scanning feature for creating tickets has given us a distinct advantage in recording tasks and ensuring their orderly execution.”

Results and benefits

The introduction of the CMMS system has thoroughly optimised the workflow at the Waghäusel plant:

• Better planning of machine operation: The system solved the problem of precise planning of the operation of devices and installations.

• Accelerated communication: A simple reporting system shortened the time between error detection in production and technical intervention.

• Information availability: Maintenance teams now benefit from easily accessible digital documentation directly at the point of intervention.

• High user acceptance: Despite the software’s international nature, the tool has been fully accepted by the team. Tobias Schmitt notes with a smile: “We’re completely satisfied, even if the occasional Polish text appears! :)”

Summary: Forging the Digital Future

By integrating a CMMS system with its over 100-year heritage, Josef Schmitt Werkzeug demonstrates that traditional values, such as passion and family collaboration, are enhanced by modern technology. The company has digitized its production with “heart and soul,” ensuring that its tools remain the gold standard in the forestry and horticultural industries well into the next century.