Strategic Expansion of Military Manufacturing Across Europe
Scaling Defence Operations
Driven by rising geopolitical tensions and increased European defence budgets, a Central European defence manufacturer experienced unprecedented demand growth. With revenue surging by 131% to €4 billion and an order backlog exceeding €11 billion, the organization adopted KanBo to manage rapid operational scaling across production, engineering, and compliance functions.
Company’s Overview
Industry:
Defence Manufacturing / Military Equipment
Key Focus Areas:
Large-calibre ammunition, military vehicles, cross-border production
Size:
Multi-site operations across Europe with government contracts
Challenges:
Rapid growth, production scalability, compliance, cross-border coordination
Stakeholder Perspective
CChief Operating Officer
We needed a digital platform that could grow with us. Our operations span multiple countries, and we needed full transparency, efficient communication, and rigorous compliance tracking. Traditional tools lacked the adaptability and visibility we required. KanBo gave us a unified interface to coordinate every aspect of our operations.
How the Organization Uses KanBo
KanBo acts as the operational command center for scaling defence manufacturing, connecting departments, geographies, and workflows in real time. Key functional areas include:
I. Production Oversight & Facility Coordination
- Production Spaces: Each facility or line is a dedicated Space managing daily activities.
- Task Cards: Track assembly phases, quality control steps, and output metrics.
- Swimlane Views: Segment tasks by team, stage, or urgency.
II. Cross-Border Engineering Collaboration
- Shared Workspaces: Enable engineers from multiple countries to work together seamlessly.
- File Sharing & Discussions: Provide live access to designs, specs, and issue resolution.
- Versioned Documentation: Maintain structured change logs and design iterations.
III. Supply Chain Planning & Procurement
- Gantt & Timeline Views: Monitor procurement cycles and vendor timelines.
- Card Templates: Standardize supplier onboarding and material verification.
- Card Relations: Link supply components to final assemblies and timelines.
IV. Regulatory Compliance & Documentation
- Document Templates: Standardize legal, technical, and audit documentation.
- Card Activity Streams: Maintain traceability for reviews, approvals, and edits.
- Audit Support: Real-time dashboards help prepare for compliance reviews.
V. Resource Planning & Capacity Forecasting
- Resource Dashboard: Allocate engineers, machines, and tools based on availability and skillset.
- Forecast Charts: Predict workload peaks and plan resource adjustments.
- Cross-Site Analytics: View total capacity across all active production locations.
VI. Strategic Oversight & System Integration
- Executive Dashboards: Consolidate production, procurement, and compliance data.
- SharePoint Integration: Manage file access and document workflows securely.
- System Compatibility: Seamlessly connects with internal ERP and HR platforms.
Roadmap for Implementation
Planning and Setup
Pilot Phase
Pilot Evaluation
Full Rollout
Project Highlights
Deployment Duration:
6 months to full organization-wide rollout
Key Integrations:
SharePoint, internal compliance systems, ERP
Performance Gains:
45% boost in team collaboration, improved alignment across five production sites
Real-World Applications in KanBo
Forecast Chart for Large Contracts
Used to estimate timelines and workforce requirements for large-scale defence orders, improving schedule accuracy.
Card Templates for Supplier Management
Onboarded new partners using standardized workflows for contracts, delivery schedules, and compliance approvals.
Component-to-Assembly Dependencies
Linked manufacturing Cards to show interdependencies between subcomponents and final vehicle assemblies.
Benefits of Using KanBo in Defence Manufacturing
Scalable Operational Framework
Flexible structure that grows with operational scale
Real-Time Collaboration Across Sites
Unified digital workspace for engineering and production teams
Enhanced Production Forecasting
Forecast tools provide accurate insights for delivery planning
Compliance-Ready Documentation
Templates and traceability streamline audits and legal reviews
Security and Installation Options
On-Premises & Government Cloud Deployment
Ensures compliance with national security regulations.
Role-Based Access Controls
Restrict sensitive investment data to authorized personnel.
Data Encryption & Audit Logging
Protects against cyber threats and ensures transparency.
KanBo – Work Coordination Platform
KanBo is a work coordination software designed to help self-organizing teams work smarter and faster. You can see KanBo in action by accessing our demonstration environment.