Efficient. Global. Digital. Marabus Transformation with Hitachi Solutions

About Marabu: 

Marabu is a leading global manufacturer of screen, digital, and pad printing inks, as well as liquid coatings. For over 160 years, the company has been offering innovative ink solutions for a wide range of materials and industries. Marabu serves industries such as packaging, cosmetics, electronics, and automotive, focusing on excellent product quality and personalized customer service. With a clear vision for sustainable and resource-efficient production and through the use of modern technologies, Marabu continuously strives for process optimization and the further development of its global business operations. 

Mr. Würtemberger, what makes Marabu special and how do technologies contribute to its further development? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“Marabu is a globally active company in the field of ink manufacturing. We offer innovative ink solutions for a wide range of industries and materials. We are particularly excited about the further development of our internal processes through modern IT systems, with artificial intelligence (AI) and process automation being key themes to make Marabu future-proof.” 

What were the biggest challenges you faced in your business? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“One of the biggest challenges was dealing with a cyberattack at the beginning of my tenure, which we successfully overcame. Currently, we are embarking on a global transition to Microsoft Dynamics 365 – a complex and exciting change for our company.” 

How did you become aware of Hitachi Solutions and why did you decide to work with us? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“Microsoft recommended Hitachi Solutions to us because we were looking for a partner with international operations and offering both Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions. Hitachi Solutions provided crucial support in implementing our digital transformation, and with its in-depth knowledge of the Microsoft environment, it was the perfect partner.” 

What specific solutions have you received from Hitachi Solutions and how have they helped you achieve your goals? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“So far, we have successfully implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Dynamics 365 Sales for the CRM and CE systems, respectively, at all Marabu locations. We are currently rolling out the ERP system with Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain . This project was particularly exciting because we were able to build a central customer information platform within a short period of time, which is helping us enormously. The close collaboration with Hitachi Solutions was a major factor in our success.” 

Were there any aspects of working with Hitachi Solutions that you particularly enjoyed? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“I particularly liked the fact that we stuck to the standard while working very agilely. We simply got started and gradually rolled out the solution – without unnecessary delays or complications.” 

What measurable results have you achieved by working with Hitachi Solutions? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“One measurable result is that we now have a central customer information platform, which we didn’t have before. Furthermore, we’re discovering new features every day that further optimize our processes.” 

How has your work or business changed as a result of the partnership? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“The partnership has shown us how to implement large, global projects quickly and efficiently. The short communication channels and fast decision-making processes in particular have helped us make rapid progress.” 

Is there an example that particularly illustrates the success of the collaboration? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“A very good example of the success of our collaboration was that we worked together to develop the best solutions without lengthy debates. Quick decisions and pragmatic approaches were the key to success.” 

What would you recommend to other companies that face similar challenges? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“My advice to other companies is to start simply – without too many customizations or requirements up front. The rest will evolve during the project. As the saying goes, sometimes less is more.” 

What is the next big goal you want to tackle? 

Stefan Würtemberger:
“Our next goal is to migrate our ERP landscape worldwide to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and to harmonize and automate as many processes as possible.”