Those who use their resources more efficiently survive longer, and not just in nature. The WILD Group‘s special ”FAST TRACK Value Engineering“ approach perfects this principle of the intelligent evolution of products: A targeted purge of processes helps create high-tech solutions that make economic sense and boost performance.

Today, global competition pressure is like a surgical knife relentlessly carving away at the manufacturers‘ profit margins. Be it in industrial engineering, optics or medical technology, those opting for overengineering will ultimately lose out in dynamic markets.

But how can you reduce manufacturing costs without jeopardising quality and safety? A closer look at the WILD Group‘s work approach reveals that the trick is to think in terms of assembly parts, not functions, i.e. those that are really needed.

THE WILD DIFFERENCE: FAST-TRACKING TRANSDISCIPLINARITY
”What fundamentally distinguishes us from others in the area of value engineering is our rejection of isolated optimisation attempts. While many companies regard value analysis as a lengthy internal project, we take a consistent interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach“, says Michael Reissig, Head of Development at WILD. Orchestrated processes not only connect  internal experts but also bring customers and suppliers directly to the table.

This approach thrives on genuine team work and a holistic nature: Only when all requirements – from development through manufacturing to procurement – are shared in a transparent manner will a common understanding emerge across all the Group‘s divisions. Communication is the decisive key for radically questioning functions and exploiting all available potential.

In collaboration with VMN value manager Manfred Ninaus, WILD condensed the classic 10-step work plan into a highly efficient workshop format – a benchmark-setting method known as ”FAST TRACK Value Engineering“. Since WILD is itself a manufacturer, feedback from assembly and production flows directly into the design. This approach simultaneously bundles all competencies in the shortest possible time – from the choice of technology and production-ready design to material selection. This results in integrated concepts free of lengthy feedback loops.

DIGITAL INTELLIGENCE INSTEAD OF EXCEL CHAOS
An decisive success factor is the unique VMCoach© software platform. “Collaboration drives cost effectiveness” is the credo of this digital tool, which brings together all core methods of value engineering. ”VMCoach© is a genuine game changer: Our software also uses AI functions in function analysis and idea generation, which dramatically boosts performance“, stresses Manfred Ninaus. This massively reduces the workshop effort while increasing the achievable cost savings. ”Our platform allows us to intentionally ignore restrictions at the start, thus revealing potential often hidden in conventional processes. The more freedom given to all those involved, the greater the potential success.“

THE BIGGEST LEVERS
Experience has shown that the most significant cost savings do not come from cheaper small parts but rather through radical rethinking in construction design. WILD focuses on a targeted qualification of customer requirements to avoid expensive overengineering. Additional levers include strategic shifts in materials, consistent strategies for carry-over parts, and a production-ready design in collaboration with suppliers. The objective is always a functionally brilliant, yet economically optimised product.

NUMBERS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES: SUCCESS STORIES
The latest product successes are a testimony to the effectiveness of this approach. Together with semiconductor specialist FormFactor, WILD was able to identify a 25% cost-down potential for a microscope with a minimal workshop effort already during the concept stage. This was achieved above all through a successful reverse engineering of purchased assemblies, a huge reduction in the number of individual parts in the superstructure, and a simplification of the housing cover, despite an attractive design.

”From projects like this we have learned that one should not impose too narrow constraints at the beginning of the value engineering process. Ultimately, the more freedom and assurance you give to the transdisciplinary project team to use it, the greater the potential success“, stresses Stefan Werkl, Head of Sales Optical Technologies. This is also attested by Enrico Wöhe, Head of Technical Procurement at FormFactor: ”The cooperation with WILD and its partners was very positive. Our project  expectations were even exceeded by their professional approach.“

OPTIMISATION FOR EXISTING PRODUCTS
In an ideal scenario, value engineering begins at the same time as product development. Reality, however, often presents a different picture: Customers approach WILD with products that have performance issues already on the market, or with finished prototypes that need to go into serial production at competitive prices. VMCoach© delivers particularly efficient support here: it reads part cost lists and product information without any effort, develops cost-down scenarios and tracks according to a parts index – until the products are fully competitive again.