Australian Bodycare Implements Proficy Scheduler to Enhance Operational Transparency and Drive Improved Teamwork Across the Organization

Australian Bodycare has been a leading provider of beauty and skin care products since 1992, specializing in process-based manufacturing where raw materials are converted through chemical and physical processes into finished products.

The company manufactures skin and hair care products based on Australian tea tree oil – a natural, essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolia tree. The products are produced in Denmark and sold worldwide.

Australian Bodycare chose to implement Proficy Scheduler to enhance their digital production management and the goal was "simply" to make planning more flexible, comprehensible, and easy to adjust. However, the solution has also had a positive effect beyond the planners — the visual overview of production has strengthened collaboration across the entire organization.

Australian Bodycare, which has enjoyed significant success with its products since its founding in 1992, initially managed its growing production using Excel and an ERP system. However, the limitations of this approach became increasingly evident. After researching the market for dedicated digital planning solutions, the company ultimately chose Proficy Scheduler.

Esben Kristoffersen, Supply Chain Manager & Co-Owner, explains: “It took forever for us to plan. Initially, we used Excel, but the calculations became very complex. We also used our ERP, but it operated based on unlimited capacity, leaving us without a real overview — the system could calculate what we needed to produce, but not when. This lack of overview made us anxious about potentially having too much stock. The planning was done by the planner and posted in production. But the world is ever-changing, and things could change from day to day, so we often ended up with outdated plans. It became clear to us that we needed a more flexible system.”

Australian Bodycare was in dialogue with Proficy Scheduler experts for quite some time before the system was activated. The value of the system was apparent, but so was the need to manage master data, routes, and bill of materials. Once these were in place, they were ready to proceed.

“We have been very pleased with the process led by the Proficy Scheduler team. It has been deeply professional. The team have been competent, and they all have extensive knowledge about productions and how it is in a production company. It has been a good journey through it all,” Esben explains. 

“I would mention two major advantages of Proficy Scheduler. The first is flexibility. In a company like ours, you never know how the day will turn out. If something goes down and a series needs to be moved, it was EXTREMELY difficult to shift in our ERP. With Proficy Scheduler, we can react immediately and make a new plan where we know all the consequences — do we have enough material, or are we behind? The second major advantage is the overview. Our plan is presented visually in Proficy Scheduler to everyone in the company, meaning that everyone sees the big picture. This is of course important for decision-makers, but it is also incredibly inspiring for the production staff to see how their task is an important piece of the larger system. You understand the importance of what you do, and there is almost nothing more motivating.”

It sounds incredible that software can do this, but Proficy Scheduler has meant that management and employees at Australian Bodycare have come closer together.

“It has been difficult for our director and sales manager to keep up. They can now, and it has provided great understanding. Proficy Scheduler brings everything together and gives ownership to everyone, both management and employees. When the production plan is visible to everyone, it is much easier to be in the same boat and have discussions about why an order has been moved, etc. We have come closer together in the boat and gained more team spirit. We have a shared plan that everyone can see. We actively use Proficy Scheduler in our meetings every day, and it has given us a better sense of community around our tasks.”

The production processes at Australian Bodycare are complicated, but the Support team is always ready to answer questions and solve problems, ensuring ongoing optimization of the setup.

“The support works well, and I have been very pleased with their quick help. They deserve a lot of credit. It is rare that I experience anyone who is so professional and hands-on immediately and solves things right away. Although I am always impatient, it’s great that the Support team informs me that they are on the case and will get back to me when they have a solution. Then I know it is being handled. It’s fantastic.”