Over 30,000 units, one system

SE Tylose (SET) is making a huge leap forward - and is digitalizing maintenance substantially and sustainably. The Wiesbaden-based company, part of the Japanese Shin-Etsu Group, produces cellulose ethers from renewable raw materials - highly complex chemical processes that place the highest demands on plant availability, process reliability and documentation. SET operates over 30,000 maintenance-relevant units in its production plants. Until recently, however, maintenance was characterized by fragmented IT systems, paper-based workarounds and a large number of databases developed in-house. The digital transformation came with the introduction of a modern CMMS - based on SAP PM and the Argvis Maintenance Portal.

Around 70 specialists work in SE Tylose's maintenance department, divided between mechanics, electrical, measurement and control technology (EMR) and reliability. Organizationally, the department operates centrally and serves all of the company's plants at the Wiesbaden site. The requirements were high.

In addition to ongoing maintenance, legally required inspections, GMP-compliant documentation and complex shutdown planning are also part of everyday life. Tobias Oehler, Head of Reliability at SET, sums up the initial situation: „We were running on sight - without reliable data evaluation, no real control was possible.“

Numerous systems were used in parallel: Excel, Access-based tools, internally developed databases, IBM Notes for testing processes, databases and tools from external testing service providers, SAP PM only in basic form. The consequences were multiple redundant master data for the same aggregates, missing interfaces and media disruptions. Consistent, end-to-end documentation and analysis of the maintenance processes was not possible. In the past, SAP PM itself was used for external order tracking and the associated cost control.

Transparency and SAP integration

In view of the increasing complexity of the systems, the desire of young colleagues for modern work tools and processes and ever-increasing regulatory requirements, SET decided to change its system. The aim was to create a standardized digital platform for all maintenance-related processes - integrated into the existing SAP ecosystem. Following a tendering process, SET opted for Argvis Maintenance Portal as the front-end extension. The deciding factors were not only functional criteria such as usability, scalability and SAP integration, but also the human factor, as Oehler emphasizes: „A CMMS thrives on data. And data only comes from motivated users. That's why usability was the top priority.“

The strategic decision: SAP PM becomes the backbone, comprehensively expanded and customized - and Argvis becomes the intuitive and mobile interface. The combination of both systems creates a powerful CMMS infrastructure that can also be rolled out at other Group locations. The project approach: agile. In close cooperation with Argvis, SET relied on Scrum elements such as sprints, feedback loops and clear increments.

Employees from the maintenance department were actively involved, testing, giving feedback and helping to tailor the system to their needs. „Our people weren't just extras - they were co-developers. That increased motivation enormously,“ says Tobias Oehler. „It's software made by us for us.“

Regulatory environment

At the same time, SAP PM was extensively expanded. Instead of just tracking costs, it now maps complete maintenance processes - including fault messages, order planning, resource management, test cycles and life cycle files. The regulatory environment posed a particular challenge: As a manufacturer in the pharmaceutical and food sector, SET has to comply with GMP and FDA regulations. The solution: clearly documented workflows and close coordination between IT, the project team and Argvis - with success.

Our people were not extras - they were co-developers. That increased their motivation enormously.

Tobias Oehler,
Reliability Manager, SE Tylose

Go-live and everyday life

The new system has been live since December 8, 2025. And the difference is noticeable: fault messages are recorded on mobile devices, documented directly and processed digitally.

Test plans are automated and GMP documentation is fully traceable. Instead of isolated solutions, there is now an integrated system that creates transparency - and enables decisions to be made. Thanks to centralization with SAP, maintenance costs are directly integrated into the business processes.

The willingness of employees to record reports digitally has increased dramatically. Processes such as spare parts management, downtime planning and test equipment tracking are more efficient and structured. Mobile use is also paying off: Technicians work directly on the system - with a tablet or smartphone. Necessary information is directly available. Paper forms, duplicate data maintenance and lengthy queries are a thing of the past.

Outlook and conclusion

The new CMMS lays the digital foundation - but the potential is far from exhausted. In the coming months, SET plans to integrate IoT systems for condition monitoring, make greater use of predictive maintenance approaches and further automate maintenance and inspection processes. An international roll-out at the sister plant in the USA is also planned.

Head of Reliability Oehler is optimistic about the future: „We now have the digital foundation - now we can use our data in a targeted manner to exploit its full potential.“ SE Tylose impressively demonstrates how a medium-sized company is modernizing its maintenance with SAP PM and Argvis Maintenance Portal - in a practical, regulatory-compliant and future-oriented manner. Digital transformation is not an end in itself, but a clear lever for greater efficiency, quality and plant availability. (Source: Argvis)

SE Tylose

SE Tylose, based in Wiesbaden, is part of the Japanese Shin-Etsu Group and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of cellulose ethers. With around 520 employees, the company develops and distributes specialty chemicals for industrial and food-related applications. The Tylose and Tylopur brands are used in building materials, paints, ceramics, pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs. At its traditional location in the Kalle-Albert industrial park - a production site for cellulose ethers since 1935 - SE Tylose now focuses on digitalization, sustainability and global partnerships. With its strong market position and detailed carbon footprint, the company is a relevant player in the process industry.

Four tangible successes

• Transparency: All relevant maintenance data is available centrally, up-to-date and analyzable.
• Efficiency: Automated processes and better planning lead to noticeable time and cost savings.
• Compliance: GMP and FDA requirements are documented completely digitally and in an audit-proof manner.
• Acceptance: The system is widely accepted within the team thanks to its high usability and active participation.