In a world where even the smallest production error can have major consequences, Deltavorm proves that digitalization is not just something for the big players. The Dutch company, specialized in the design and production of candy molds for confectionery manufacturers worldwide, has radically changed its way of working with the implementation of Spheeres.
“We make molds for candy, from licorice to wine gums. Every product is different, every design is custom-made,” says director Niels Dogger. “That means we need a unique approach for every customer — and that calls for a system that's just as flexible as we are.”
From Excel to insight
Eight years ago, Deltavorm switched to Spheeres, an ERP system developed specifically for manufacturing companies that work with customer-specific products. The switch stemmed from a growing need for overview, automation, and visual communication.
“We wanted to work heavily with images. Descriptions alone weren't enough. Our customers need to be able to see immediately what we're talking about — that saves endless time and misunderstandings,” Dogger explains.
It was this visual approach that set Spheeres apart from other systems. Whereas many ERP packages rely mainly on text and tables, Spheeres makes it possible to display product information visually. That proved to be a decisive factor.
Less frustration, more self-reliance
An important advantage of Spheeres for Deltavorm is the ability to make adjustments themselves.
“We don't want to have to call a supplier for every detail. Thanks to Spheeres, we can manage many things ourselves — that saves time and frustration,” says Dogger.
Customers notice the difference too. Where they used to regularly call with the question ‘when will my order be ready?’, there is now transparency throughout the entire process. Customers know exactly what to expect and when.
“That sounds simple,” says Dogger, “but it makes a world of difference in customer satisfaction. Communication has become faster, clearer, and more reliable.”
Tailor-made collaboration
The collaboration between Deltavorm and Spheeres goes beyond software alone. There is an active dialogue about improvements, requirements, and future plans.
“We have a ticketing system for when something doesn't work as expected, and alongside that a wish list with ideas for future expansions,” says Dogger. “We discuss those regularly together to see what takes priority and where we can make adjustments.”
That open collaboration fits the way Deltavorm itself works: small-scale, personal, and focused on custom work.
Data as a growth engine
One of the biggest challenges during the switch was importing historical data. Deltavorm works with thousands of designs and customer projects that all had to be migrated.
“We had an enormous amount of data from the past, with all kinds of deviations and exceptions. Yet that process went flawlessly,” says Dogger. “Even our unusual requests were perfectly accommodated.”
Thanks to that data, Deltavorm now has a rich archive of production information. That is not only a valuable resource for quality control, but also for future innovations.
Closer collaboration with customers
For Deltavorm, Spheeres has become a strategic pillar in its future plans. The company wants to collaborate even more closely with customers — and that is only possible with the right digital infrastructure.
“We want to be able to gather more information from customers without wasting their time. Spheeres helps us with that. It makes collaboration easier, clearer, and faster,” says Dogger.
In the coming years, Deltavorm expects to invest further in automation and data-driven working, but always with one goal: more time for creation, less time for administration.
Digitalization within reach
The story of Deltavorm shows that digitalization is not just reserved for large international players, but is also achievable and valuable for smaller manufacturing companies. With a team of 25 employees, Deltavorm serves customers worldwide — proving that flexibility and digitalization can go hand in hand.
“Some things just aren't fun to do — those are the ones you want to automate,” Dogger concludes with a smile. “We sometimes forget how much we've gained over all these years. But one thing is certain: without Spheeres we could never work this efficiently.”
About Deltavorm
Deltavorm specializes in the design and production of candy molds for confectionery manufacturers around the world. With more than 25 employees, the company delivers custom solutions for producers of licorice, wine gums, and other confectionery products, among others.
About Spheeres
Spheeres develops tailor-made ERP solutions for manufacturing companies that deal with complex, customer-specific production processes. The system offers overview, flexibility, and visual communication, specially designed for companies that want to deliver custom work efficiently.