Hycast Enhances Efficiency and Collaboration with Sovelia Core

Meet Hycast

Hycast provides next-generation casting technology and delivers state-of-the-art fully automated casting lines. For more than 30 years Hycast has been a leading and world-class provider of aluminium casthouse technology. Hycast is a spin-off from Hydro R&D and today the company is an independent entity with commercial operations all over the world. Hycast is headquartered in Norway.

Hycast has gained extensive experience and know-how by delivering technology, products, and services to customers worldwide, both inside and outside Hydro. Many of these projects have been turn-key deliverables where Hycast have been responsible for engineering, fabrication, supervision, installation, commissioning and testing of all equipment and systems supplied.

Hycast is a leading provider of innovative casthouse technology solutions for the aluminium industry. They specialise in designing and delivering advanced equipment and systems that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of aluminium production processes.

As part of its digital evolution, Hycast was looking for a solution that could centralise data, streamline workflows, and improve integration across various departments to maintain their competitive edge.

Ezzart Chipana, Digital Manager at Hycast, explains:

"As our projects grew in complexity and scale, we recognised the need for a more robust system to manage product data and lifecycle processes. Our existing tools were insufficient for handling the increasing volume of information and collaboration required."

Need for a comprehensive and flexible PLM solution

Hycast opted for Sovelia Core, a comprehensive and flexible PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solution that could grow alongside their business. Sovelia’s ability to meet Hycast’s needs of centralising data, streamlining workflows, and improving integration across departments made it the ideal choice.

Implementation and results

Hycast’s first phase of Sovelia Core implementation went live in 2015. In the following phases the system was integrated with their existing ERP and CRM systems and more modules were added. Implementation was carried out systematically and in close collaboration with Symetri. Symetri worked with the team at Hycast to understand their processes and customize Sovelia to fit the company’s specific needs. There have been challenges along the way but both companies have worked together to overcome them and achieve the desired objectives.

Key improvements since implementing Sovelia Core include:

• Engineering Change Management: Automated workflows have reduced the time required to implement design changes, ensuring all stakeholders are promptly informed and updated.
• Document Management: Centralized document storage has reduced duplication and version control issues, making it easier to access and manage documents. Sovelia Core has many standard modules available and Hycast found that item and document management, engineering change management, projects and installed base functionality have been particularly beneficial, supporting a more streamlined and efficient work environment.

Improved communication and collaboration

One of the most significant benefits of Sovelia Core has been the improvement in communication across the organisation. Sovelia provides a unified platform for information sharing. All departments are now working from the same data, reducing miscommunication and fostering a more collaborative culture within Hycast.

Lessons learned

Through its journey so far with Sovelia Core, Hycast has learned several key lessons:

• Change management is crucial: Early and ongoing training is essential for user adoption.
• Stakeholder engagement: Involving key users during implementation ensures that the system meets practical needs.
• Phased implementation works: Rolling out modules gradually allows for adjustments and minimises risk.

Sovelia Core as the cornerstone of Hycast’s digital transformation strategy

Sovelia Core has become a cornerstone of Hycast’s digital transformation strategy. The company plans to explore additional modules and advanced features, such as AI integrations, to continue optimising operations and improving decision-making processes.