{"id":11247,"date":"2024-03-13T12:43:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T11:43:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elicitonline.com\/case\/van-merksteijn-accelerates-onboarding-with-elicit\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T13:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T11:06:21","slug":"van-merksteijn-accelerates-onboarding-with-elicit","status":"publish","type":"case","link":"https:\/\/elicitonline.com\/en\/case\/van-merksteijn-accelerates-onboarding-with-elicit\/","title":{"rendered":"Van Merksteijn accelerates onboarding with ELICIT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Van Merksteijn accelerates onboarding with ELICIT


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\u201cWith ELICIT, even our most experienced operators reach a solution faster.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

H\u00fcseyin Kiremit<\/strong>Trainer and coach<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe notice in every aspect that things are improving. There is much less downtime.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

B\u00fclent \u0218im\u0219ek<\/strong>Project Leader<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Van Merksteijn International consists of two business units: Van Merksteijn Fences and Van Merksteijn Steel (structural steel).<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The greatest challenges<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Van Merksteijn Fencing Systems encountered several problems in production. Onboarding new employees took a significant amount of time. Furthermore, the training program for new employees was not available digitally. Another major pain point for Van Merksteijn was the lack of a uniform working method. Additionally, employees possess a wealth of experiential knowledge, but it was not documented anywhere. This knowledge was at risk of being lost when they retired. Finally, operators were dependent on other, more experienced colleagues during malfunctions and other issues. This cost time, and therefore money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply \u2018checking ELICIT\u2019<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ELICIT started at Van Merksteijn with a pilot project. Knowledge analyst Emiel Weijn developed a knowledge model for the Schlatter welding line. H\u00fcseyin Kiremit, trainer and coach, and B\u00fclent \u015eim\u015fek, project leader, were impressed by the speed with which the ELICIT knowledge analyst understood the process. \u201cSometimes we spent weeks training new colleagues. The fact that they understood our process so quickly was remarkable.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the successful implementation of the first knowledge model, ELICIT created models for five other production processes, including wire drawing and the galvanizing line. Almost the entire production process of Van Merksteijn Fences has now been mapped out, with the knowledge models also being interconnected. This allows employees to easily see if a deviation might have been caused by an error in the preceding process step. Now, it is a matter of \u2018simply checking ELICIT\u2019 to find the solution. \u201cWe deal with hundreds of types of malfunctions. Some occur only rarely. With ELICIT, even our most experienced employees reach the solution faster,\u201d says Kiremit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interviews form the basis of the knowledge models, but colleagues also engaged in discussions with each other regarding the desired, uniform working method. \u201cEven the most experienced colleagues now say: ELICIT is very useful. I can now easily refresh my knowledge,\u201d says \u015eim\u015fek. With ELICIT’s software, the company trains new and current employees more quickly. Kiremit is very pleased with this as a coach and trainer. \u201cWith the testing functionality, I can even test employees on individual components.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A portion of the employees does not speak Dutch, only their native language. Because this is the case with several ELICIT clients, ELICIT developed a translation function. As a result, a knowledge model is available in Dutch as well as in Turkish, German, and Polish. If the knowledge model is modified, this is immediately visible in all languages. This allows everyone, regardless of background or language level, to work at the same level of knowledge. By early 2024, approximately 150 employees were working with ELICIT software, and that number continues to grow. \u201cWe sometimes say to each other: ELICIT is like Google, you can always find the answer,\u201d says \u015eim\u015fek. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Van Merksteijn is very positive about the collaboration with ELICIT. \u201cThey guided and trained us very well. If we had questions, they provided an answer quickly.\u201d Project leader \u015eim\u015fek previously worked in production but was released by Van Merksteijn for the implementation of ELICIT. After training from ELICIT, he is now a content and model manager and maintains the seven knowledge models within Fences himself. Most of the knowledge and processes there have been mapped out. \u015eim\u015fek will next start working on new knowledge models for Van Merksteijn Steel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Results: more knowledge, less downtime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Through the use of the knowledge model, personnel are more aware of the impact of their work on subsequent process steps and recognize deviations from previous processes sooner. As a result, they perform independent quality checks more frequently, which in turn leads to lower failure costs. The Technical Department and the shift foremen are less burdened with questions because employees arrive at solutions independently. Furthermore, Van Merksteijn spends noticeably less time on training and coaching. \u015eim\u015fek: \u201cWith ELICIT, we have a knowledge base that is open 24\/7. No one has to wait for someone else when there is a malfunction. We notice in every aspect that production is improving. There is much less downtime. Ultimately, that is what it is all about.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n