Iceland’s leading chocolatier, Nói Síríus, has taken significant strides to modernise its production capabilities by partnering with Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. The collaboration aims to streamline maintenance operations and enhance production-line performance, marking a pivotal step in the company’s journey towards greater efficiency.
Nói Síríus, a household name in Iceland renowned for its high-quality chocolates, faced the challenge of improving the reliability and efficiency of its production line while reducing the burden on its maintenance team. Seeking a comprehensive solution, the chocolatier opted to standardise its maintenance management using Fiix CMMS (computerised maintenance management system) software, developed by Rockwell Automation.
The decision to adopt Fiix CMMS has allowed Nói Síríus to gain a more detailed understanding of the performance and maintenance needs of its core assembly-line machinery. The software captures vital data on machine status, enabling the company to shift its maintenance approach from reactive to preventative—a move that has already shown significant benefits.
“This project has been a model of collaboration,” said Asa Arvidsson, Regional Vice President of Sales for the North Region at Rockwell Automation. “Working closely with Nói Síríus, our consultants have been able to design and implement new, streamlined maintenance workflows using the Fiix platform. The improvements have been rapid and tangible, and we are excited about the continued partnership as we move towards a predictive-maintenance model.”
In just four months, Nói Síríus’s maintenance team has transformed its operations. Previously focused primarily on reactive maintenance—addressing issues as they arose—the team now spends most of its time on preventative measures. This shift has been made possible by Fiix’s intelligent queue-management features, which allow the team to prioritise tasks more effectively and collaborate closely with operations staff.
The result has been a significant reduction in unplanned downtime, as the maintenance team is now able to address potential issues before they disrupt production. This proactive approach has not only improved the efficiency of the production line but has also led to higher job satisfaction among the maintenance staff.
Guðmundur Ingi Einarsson, Technical Manager at Nói Síríus, expressed his satisfaction with the new system: “Since adopting Fiix software, our maintenance staff are much happier. They can now focus on preventing downtime rather than constantly reacting to it. We have the data we need to prioritise our work intelligently and arrive at solutions faster. The upcoming predictive-maintenance project promises even further improvements.”
Looking ahead, Rockwell Automation and Nói Síríus are working together to network the entire production facility. Once completed, the chocolatier plans to adopt a data-driven, predictive maintenance model. This approach is expected to further maximise production uptime, reduce costs, and enhance overall productivity.
The partnership between Nói Síríus and Rockwell Automation highlights the growing importance of digital transformation in the manufacturing sector. As companies like Nói Síríus embrace advanced technologies, they are not only improving their operational efficiency but also positioning themselves for continued success in a competitive market.
