Efficiency and Reliability in Design with PDM | Pinomatic x PLM Group

When you step into Pinomatic’s facilities in Kauhajoki, Finland, you immediately sense that things are done with dedication and heart. The company specializes in conveyors and complete production lines for the wood processing industry – solutions that keep factories running smoothly.

Pinomatic’s strength lies in its comprehensive in-house expertise: sales, design, automation, electrical work, and commissioning all under one roof. This makes operations agile and dependable.

But even when expertise is strong, systems don’t always keep up. This is a challenge that Engineering Management Tomi Ikonen, who has been at the heart of the company’s development for over eleven years, knows well.

The Starting Point – Duplicates, scattered data and version issues

Before implementing the PDM system, data management was fragmented. Duplicates occurred frequently, and versions evolved from one project to another. Drawings and parts were managed in traditional Windows folder structures — simple on paper but chaotic in practice. Over the years, large amounts of data had accumulated, and as projects grew, duplicates and the unintentional use of outdated versions became a daily occurrence and increasingly difficult to control.

The process relied largely on people’s memory, and if a newer version was forgotten, an older one could easily be carried over into a new project.

“When a drawing was corrected – even for a small dimension or tolerance change – it was not always certain that the updated version would be used in the next project. The choice depended on people’s memory and the preparatory work that had been done. At times, work had to be done twice because the model used as a starting point turned out to be an older version,” Ikonen recalls.

Selecting and Implementing the Solution with PLM Group

Before the decision was made, PLM Group carried out a thorough pre-study: the needs of different departments were reviewed, the required data fields were defined, and approval routines were mapped. According to Ikonen, this stage was decisive.

“We went through our processes carefully and refined them. After that, we could present the management with a clear picture — what the system would cost and what benefits it would bring.”

The decision to adopt PDM matured as the benefits became clear through internal interviews and the pre-study process. At the same time, Pinomatic was facing an ERP replacement, as the old system had reached the end of its lifecycle. It was the perfect opportunity to rethink the entire information management process.

A Controlled, Step-by-Step Implementation

The project advanced methodically, one step at a time.
First, the ERP system was renewed and then the item database was thoroughly reviewed.

“We wanted to make sure PDM was built on a clean foundation,” Ikonen explains.

Once the ERP was in place, a dedicated designer was assigned full-time for a year to tailor the PDM environment to Pinomatic’s specific needs, in close collaboration with PLM Group’s experts. At the same time, an integration between ERP and PDM was implemented, and CustomTools-like data entry functions were developed directly into PDM.

“This allows items to be retrieved and linked correctly – with the same functionality we had before, but now fully integrated into PDM.”

During process modeling and training, the teams worked together to define approval routines, revision practices, and reporting so that the system would support the entire organization.

“PLM Group ensured that data flows correctly and can always be found in the right place. It built confidence that the system truly supports the way we work,” Ikonen says.

The Benefits of PDM at Pinomatic

After three years of use, PDM has fully delivered on its promise.

• Duplicates eliminated: only the latest revision is ever in use – old versions can’t be used by mistake.
• Fewer errors: the data for drawings and items is accurate, and there is no need to question its correctness.
• Faster searches: data, models, and drawings can be found quickly, as all items and their cards use consistent data fields.
• Automated reports: reports generated from the main assembly support production, purchasing (components and materials), project operations, and spare parts — without any manual Excel work.
• More time for design: less routine work means more focus on engineering and customer-specific solutions.
• Clarity and transparency: buyers, designers, and project managers access the same reliable data in a consistent way.

“What we promised to management has been fulfilled – investing in a PDM system quickly pays for itself,” Ikonen summarizes.

The benefits of PDM are becoming increasingly clear as all projects are carried out within the system. In design and project operations, the system is already well established, and the Service team is gradually beginning to take advantage of its benefits due to the specific nature of maintenance work.

“One maintenance manager said he couldn’t believe how easily he could find the needed data. Step by step, it’s becoming part of their daily work too,” Ikonen adds.

Why It Pays to Start Early

Ikonen’s advice to other companies is clear: start early. The longer you wait, the heavier the data cleanup becomes.

“We had nearly 20 years of data in the old system, and transferring it was a massive task. If PDM had been implemented earlier, the cleanup would have been much smaller.”

According to Tomi, the benefits are so clear in daily work that PDM can be recommended even to small companies – or single-person businesses.

“It’s hard to think of a reason why PDM wouldn’t be useful. Even one-person companies use it. The earlier you start using the system, the more efficiently you can optimize operations and the time spent.”
— Tomi Ikonen”