Executive Summary

Schulte Building Systems (SBS) is a prominent player in the manufacturing sector, specializing in pre-engineered metal buildings and components. Since its inception in 2005, SBS has earned its reputation as a trusted partner for architects, builders, contractors, and erectors. Their goal has been to improve production efficiency, reduce operational costs, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

To achieve these goals, in 2022 they joined forces with Thinklytics, a renowned business intelligence and analytics consulting firm. Through the strategic integration of Tableau analytics, Schulte Building Systems (SBS) underwent a remarkable transformation, leading to substantial improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and overall profitability, positioning them as an industry leader.

The Challenge

Schulte Building Systems (SBS) confronted substantial challenges:

  1. Operational Bottlenecks: Persistent operational inefficiencies resulted in prolonged lead times and escalating production costs.
  2. Data Disarray: Dispersed information across various departments hindered the company’s ability to obtain a unified overview of operations and make informed decisions.
  3. Competitive Landscape: Faced with fierce competition, SBS recognized the imperative of innovation and heightened efficiency to stand out in the ever-evolving manufacturing sector.
Tableau Analytics in Manufacturing

Manufacturing processes are complex and will see many improvements and better decision-making with advanced analytics using Tableau.

These challenges necessitated a strategic reassessment, leading SBS to seek solutions for optimizing operations, streamlining data management, and enhancing competitiveness.

The Solution

Thinklytics tackled these challenges strategically:

  1. Tableau Integration: The initial step involved seamlessly integrating data from diverse sources—including production machinery, inventory systems, and sales databases—into Tableau.
  2. Advanced Analytics with Tableau: Leveraging Tableau’s robust analytics tools, Thinklytics uncovered valuable insights, identified patterns, and established correlations within the consolidated data.
  3. Predictive Analytics using Tableau: By implementing predictive analytics models in Tableau, Schulte Building Systems (SBS) gained the ability to predict equipment failures, consequently reducing unscheduled downtime.
  4. Tableau-Driven Process Optimization: Real-time data analysis through Tableau pinpointed production bottlenecks, facilitating informed and timely optimizations in the manufacturing processes. This comprehensive approach empowered SBS to enhance efficiency and responsiveness across its operations.

The Results

The integration of Tableau analytics by Thinklytics yielded transformative results:

  1. Downtime Slashed: Leveraging Tableau for predictive maintenance slashed unplanned downtime by 30%, streamlining production schedules and enhancing operational efficiency.
  2. Cost-Efficiency: By optimizing processes and allocating resources more effectively, operational costs were significantly reduced, amounting to approximately $2 million in savings.
  3. Quality Enhancement: Informed by Tableau insights, Schulte Building Systems (SBS) achieved a notable 20% reduction in product defects.
  4. Competitive Edge: Equipped with Tableau-driven insights, Schulte Building Systems (SBS) introduced innovative products and services, securing a competitive advantage in the market.
  5. Decision-Making: The leadership team now relies on real-time Tableau data for swift and informed decision-making, departing from traditional gut-feel approaches. This shift has made the organization’s decision-making processes significantly more agile and effective.
Tableau Analytics in Manufacturing

Better insights and results in manufacturing with Thinklytics.

Conclusion

The collaborative partnership between Thinklytics and Schulte Building Systems (SBS) serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of Tableau analytics in the manufacturing sector. Schulte Building Systems (SBS) witnessed substantial improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and competitive standing by harnessing Tableau’s capabilities in data integration, advanced analytics, and predictive maintenance.

This case study highlights the tangible benefits that manufacturing companies can achieve by embracing data-driven decision-making, especially with the support of Tableau. In an industry characterized by rapid evolution, Tableau’s proficiency in harnessing data to extract actionable insights has proven pivotal in achieving manufacturing excellence. The journey of Schulte Building Systems (SBS) serves as a compelling illustration of how the strategic integration of analytics tools can propel companies towards operational optimization and sustained success in today’s dynamic manufacturing landscape.

Curious to know more? Schedule a consultation with Thinklytics to know more about how data analytics can make your life easier and make you a hero at work.