Every day, thousands of truck trailers roll across European roads – many designed and built by Nordic manufacturer Närko. But to stay in the fast lane against competitors, streamlined processes are a must. That’s why Närko updated its tools for design and product data management, partnering with PLM Group for a smoother production flow and better cross-team communication.
Based in Närpes, Finland, Närko Oy AB delivers standard and customized solutions for truck trailers throughout Europe. To remain competitive, they strategically updated their systems for product data management and design in collaboration with PLM Group.
”It was a generational shift within the company, and the younger generation wanted to review our planning tools”, explains Tony Lillhannus, Head of Design and Development at Närko.
Närko previously relied on a niche 3D CAD and PDM system, but functional limitations and insufficient support highlighted the need for a better solution. A key factor in their decision was the ability to integrate seamlessly with their ERP system, Monitor G5. This led them to implement a complete suit of tools: SOLIDWORKS, SOLIDWORKS PDM, DraftSight, and DriveWorks.
”Now we have a globally recognized tool that enables external support when needed,” says Jonas Storås, Designer at Närko and an everyday user of SOLIDWORKS.
Wanting a partner instead of a supplier, Närko saw the value of expertise and consulting and chose PLM Group Sweden. This ensured that their Swedish-speaking employees could fully use the support services.
Partnering with Experts to Drive Efficiency
In 2023, the implementation began with a kick-off, and during a year, PLM Group led the project and had weekly follow-up meetings. It was done with a two-phase approach, ensuring a good transition and adoption across Närko’s teams. Training also played a central role in the process, equipping employees with the necessary skills to leverage the new tools effectively.
”The training was valuable, but in hindsight, we might have needed more training when we started using the systems for real,” notes Jonas.
Despite this, the update has already demonstrated clear advantages, particularly in planning and documentation. The structured approach makes files and product data easier to access across departments.
”This automation frees up time for product development by streamlining the planning process and reducing routine work”, says Tony.
A Clear Improvement
SOLIDWORKS now automates drawing generation for Närko based on the sales representatives’ selections, speeding up the process and reducing the risk of errors.
”A clear improvement is that we can now generate drawings in SOLIDWORKS automatically based on the sales representatives’ selections, making the process more efficient,” Tony emphasizes.
“Our previous program also had limited capabilities for strength calculations and product configuration. That’s why we also transitioned to DriveWorks, which integrates closely with SOLIDWORKS,” adds Jonas.
Automation reduces routine tasks, freeing engineers to focus more on product innovation, while the Monitor G5 integration improves data flow between design and production. Närko also plans to implement SOLIDWORKS simulation tools to refine product design and durability testing.
Communication is a Key to Success
For other companies planning to change systems, Närko emphasizes the importance of defining the needs early on.
”It’s more difficult than one might think to describe existing routines to outsiders, says Jonas Storås.
”Clarify what you want and need and ensure that it works in the new system. Communicate clearly from the start,” says Tony Lillhannus.
By updating their workflows, Närko has taken a significant step toward improving its product development and ensuring its competitiveness in the Nordic market. And by partnering with PLM Group, the company has laid the foundation for future innovations.
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Key Results from Närko’s Journey:
- Optimized planning, freeing up time for innovation
- Faster design with automatically generated drawings
- Better collaboration easily via accessible product data
- Fewer errors due to streamlined workflows
- Scalable systems with expert support for future growth
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This is Närko
Närko Oy AB, part of Närko Group, has been a leading Nordic manufacturer of truck bodies and truck trailers since 1959. Närko Group employs some 250 people, with 180 based at its headquarters in Närpes, Finland, where the design, product development, and production departments are located. In addition, Närko operates a production facility in Holmsund, Sweden, a market area which accounts for 55% of its exports.
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