Centric Software is pleased to announce that Schöffel has selected Centric PLM to optimize business performance and propel strategic growth. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source, buy, make, price, allocate, sell and replenish products such as fashion, outdoor, luxury, footwear, outdoor, home and related goods like cosmetics & personal care as well as multi-category retail to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.
Founded in 1804, Schöffel is a family-owned company now led by its eighth-generation CEO, Jakob Schöffel. The brand, headquartered in Schwabmünchen, Germany, employs approximately 220 people and generates an annual revenue of around €100 million. Schöffel offers high-quality outdoor, ski and bike apparel as well as technical and workwear across three key segments: Schöffel SPORT, TEC, and PRO. Schöffel products are available through various retail channels, including specialty stores, online platforms and company-owned outlets.
Under mounting pressure from fierce market competition and shorter product lifecycles, Schöffel knew it had to adapt. For Gesa van den Kerkhoff, Director of Product for Schöffel SPORT, the solution was clear: replace the outdated PDM system with a dynamic Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution to keep pace with evolving customer demands.
“The industry is undergoing major changes, especially with the shift towards sustainable production. This requires companies like ours to restructure the entire supply chain and manufacturing processes,” van den Kerkhoff explains. “At the same time, customers expect personalization, exceptional experiences and for their favorite brands to keep up with the latest trends and innovations. This means we need to stay agile if we want to safeguard our reputation as leaders in the market.”
After exploring multiple options, Schöffel chose Centric PLM for its flexibility, robust features and ability to meet their unique business needs. Daniela Kiefl, Director of Business Operations, explains what made Centric stand out.
“The intuitive interface, powerful functionality and seamless cross-departmental integration were game-changers for us. Its cutting-edge, AI-driven technology will help us further digitalize and streamline our design processes and ultimately reduce our time to market.”
By implementing Centric PLM, Schöffel anticipates significant improvements in efficiency, productivity and product quality across the value chain—from concept to market launch.
“The outdoor and apparel industry is notoriously fast-paced and constantly evolving. Our strategic goal is to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate market changes before our competitors—and Centric PLM equips us with the tools we need to make that possible,” says Kiefl.
Along with increased speed and adaptability, the Schöffel team expects other transformative benefits thanks to the harmonizing of data and product workflows through PLM.
“Working with a foundational solution like Centric PLM will improve collaboration and communication across teams, simplifying day to day tasks through automation and reducing reliance on manual processes. We believe this will lead to cost savings and higher customer satisfaction,” adds Kiefl.
Looking ahead, Schöffel is confident that Centric will support their long-term growth strategy. Kiefl concludes, “This investment will enable us to allocate our internal resources more effectively, allowing us to focus more time on developing pioneering, innovative products for our customers.”
“We are thrilled to support Schöffel in their digital transformation journey,” says Chris Groves, CEO of Centric Software. “With Centric PLM, Schöffel is well-positioned to accelerate product innovation and reinforce its leadership in the outdoor apparel industry. We look forward to a strong collaboration and continued success.”
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