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Webinar: Accelerating and Sustaining Operational Excellence with the right Digital Tools.

September 18, 2025 – Toronto, Canada

On September 17, RTS hosted a live webinar led by Douglas Holtke, exploring how organizations can turn digital tools, like MES, into engines for sustainable operational excellence.

The full video, session summary, and key takeaways are available below.

Accelerating and Sustaining Operational Excellence with the Right Digital Tools
Webinar Recording – Presented by RTS | September 17, 2025

Watch the full session with Douglas Holtke to learn how MES acts as a strategic enabler of Operational Excellence (OpEx) in modern manufacturing and industrial environments.

What You’ll Learn in This Webinar

In this session, RTS’s Douglas Holtke walks through how Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) enable organizations to go beyond theory and embed OpEx into daily operations.

Key topics include:

  • The role of MES in bridging ERP and shop floor

  • Structuring continuous improvement initiatives

  • How digital tools support employee empowerment and lean execution

  • Building a data-driven culture for long-term performance

This is more than a product demo, it’s a strategic guide for turning improvement initiatives into lasting results.

Webinar Highlights & Discussion Summary

1. MES as a Catalyst for Operational Excellence
Douglas explains how MES connects high-level ERP systems with shop-floor reality, acting as a foundational tool for sustainable OpEx by driving visibility, control, and real-time responsiveness.

2. Operational Excellence Defined
OpEx is positioned not just as a methodology but as a strategic framework—focused on aligning people, processes, and technology to deliver measurable improvements across efficiency, quality, and resilience.

3. MES in Action: Core Functions and Benefits

  • Real-time monitoring and exception handling

  • Digital work instructions and operator guidance

  • Integrated quality management and SPC

  • KPI dashboards and AI-powered decision support

  • Cloud-based agility for flexible and modular manufacturing

4. Continuous Improvement Framework
The improvement cycle is outlined clearly:
Strategy ➜ Gap Assessment ➜ Solution Definition ➜ Execution ➜ Reassessment
This cycle ensures alignment with business goals and evolving operational demands.

5. How MES Solves Real Manufacturing Challenges
Doug addresses common shop-floor issues:

  • Manual data collection and paper trails

  • Siloed systems and fragmented traceability

  • Quality non-conformances and unplanned downtime

6. Real-World Case Study: EV Battery Manufacturing
A compelling success story of a battery manufacturer that:

  • Automated manual workflows

  • Reduced scrap by 80%

  • Achieved 30% faster packaging

  • Enabled full traceability and flexible production

  • Connected MES with ERP for strategic planning and cost control

7. Key OpEx Metrics Tracked by MES

  • OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)

  • Throughput and cycle time

  • Scrap and defect rates

  • Order fulfillment and WIP

  • Operator efficiency and downtime tracking

8. Lean Principles Supported by MES
MES enables lean by:

  • Eliminating waste

  • Establishing flow and pull systems

  • Enabling root cause analysis through connected data

  • Empowering front-line teams with actionable insights

Audience Q&A Highlights

Empowering Frontline Teams:
MES enables real-time decision-making and engagement at the operator level, driving cultural change and faster response.

Integration Best Practices:
Doug shares tips on integrating MES with ERP and quality systems:

  • Define clear data flows and interfaces

  • Use standard APIs and secure protocols

  • Keep goals and value delivery at the center

ERP Data Quality Challenges:
Doug addresses how poor data in ERP systems can limit MES performance, and how teams can tackle this through focused process adjustments and technical clean-up.

About the Presenter

Douglas Holtke is a senior manufacturing strategist at RTS Consulting – Automation. With decades of experience in MES architecture, plant performance, and digital enablement, Doug specializes in turning operational strategies into execution-ready systems.

Stay Connected

Learn more about RTS services: https://rtsperfectplant.com
Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rts-consulting-automation/

Questions or follow-up? Reach out to info@rtsperfectplant.com

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