Vestocor
Flexible, integrated, future-proof
Industrial coatings manufacturer Vestocor has made a giant leap in the digitalization of its value chain by migrating to a new ERP system. The family business headed by Jaqueline Eicke is now into its fifth generation. Since the beginning of 2025, the company has managed its processes with the industry software from CSB-System. The integrated hazardous materials and recipe management systems provide substantial benefits for Vestocor’s operations based in Essen, Germany.
Launching or migrating an ERP system is a complex task, and the successful outcome depends on many factors. Companies deciding to take this step therefore need to ensure that they choose the best approach for the selection and the project.
Vestocor GmbH, a leading supplier of anticorrosive coatings since 1956, has now successfully completed the migration to a new ERP system, following a decision of the management board at the end of 2023. With the implementation of the software from CSB-System, the seamless integration of production, logistics, hazardous materials management, and recipe management has been accomplished.
The system impressed with its industry orientation and the comprehensive set of functionalities. Especially important has been the system’s capability to integrate the existing processes and seamlessly deploy future add-ons.
The decision was driven by several factors:
- Upward compatibility: Secure a continuous workflow without media disruptions in case of release changes
- Integrated hazardous materials management: Automatic creation of safety data sheets, labeling of hazardous substances, and poison center notifications.
- Modularity and scalability: Planned extensions such as Route Planning and the integration of the CSB Rack for automated data capture ensure lasting flexibility.
The integration of a proprietary hazardous materials management system, the high degree of flexibility, the team’s comprehensive understanding of the requirements in the chemical industry, and the handling of data integration into the new live system – these are the reasons why we chose the solution from CSB-System. Our new system has been in service since December 2024, and we are very satisfied with the implementation of the project and with the go-live!”
Three project phases
The implementation process for the new CSB-System at Vestocor was divided into three consecutive phases. The focus of the first phase was on analysis and planning. The experts from CSB presented the solution and its functions. Together with Vestocor, they determined the operational and industry-specific requirements. Based on this, an initial budget overview was drawn up.
In the concept development phase that followed, on-site workshops were conducted during which the existing business processes were analyzed in detail and matched against the capabilities of CSB’s industry-specific solution. The findings thereof established the foundation for a tailored concept and the subsequent implementation.
In the final execution phase, the ERP system was fine-tuned and prepared for go-live. Following the successful implementation, the old system was shut down in December 2024. And shortly after that, in January 2025, the complete new solution has been put into operation at Vestocor, enabling the company to reap the benefits of the optimized processes.
Hazardous materials management: A comprehensive solution for daily routines, safety, and compliance
Hazardous materials management was one of the crucial elements in this project. It supports handling of hazardous substances in accordance with the law and supplies the required documents and information in a digital form.
The Hazardous Materials Management module integrated into the CSB-System provides numerous functions that are fitted to the specific needs of the paints and coatings industry. Here is a detailed description of the essential components and how they contribute to ensuring compliance, provision of all required transport documents, and safeguarding operational safety.
- Safety data sheets (SDS)
Safety data sheets are the central element of Hazardous Materials Management. They supply detailed information on the chemical, physical, and toxicological properties of a product as well as instructions for safe handling. According to Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (REACH), companies are required to provide up-to-date and complete safety data sheets.
The CSB-System enables the integrated creation and maintenance of safety data sheets in multiple language versions. Thanks to version management and an option to compare safety data sheets, any changes of ingredients, raw materials, and products (for example, due to changes of legal requirements) can be traced at any time. This ensures recency and correctness of the documents. - Transport documents in accordance with ADR, IMO and IATA declarations
Transport documents are required by law for the transport of dangerous goods. The CSB-System supports the automatic creation of such documents for various means of transport in the shipping process: - ADR transport documents for road transport
- IMO declarations for maritime transport
- IATA declarations for air transport
These functionalities ensure that all transports meet the current regulations and minimize the risk of delays or penalties in case of transport controls. - Labels and storage register
Correct labeling is essential for safe storage and transport of hazardous substances. Hazardous Materials Management in the CSB-System enables you to create labels with GHS pictograms, signal words, and H and P statements. Additionally, the system comes with a hazardous substances register that gives you a complete overview of the hazardous substances stored at the facility. This function is particularly useful for internal audits and inspections by authorities. - VOC mass balance
Under the EU Directive on VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), balancing of emissions of volatile organic compounds is required. The CSB-System provides comprehensive functions to capture and evaluate VOC emissions. - BImSchV (Federal Emission Control Act)
Compliance with the Federal Emission Control Act (BImSchV) is also supported by the system. It automatically generates and documents the relevant data, thereby reducing the administrative work - Report of the dangerous goods safety adviser
Another key element is the creation of a report for the dangerous goods safety adviser that presents a complete overview of all dangerous goods that are transported. - Poison Center Notification
The poison center notification (PCN) should be emphasized here. Under this legal obligation, notifications of hazardous mixtures must be submitted to the relevant ECHA poison center. The CSB-System supports the automatic creation and transmission of these notifications and ensures compliance with all deadlines and requirements. The information to be reported is retrieved and deployed from Hazardous Materials Management, item data, and recipes.
Recipe management: Precision and efficiency in production
Precision in recipe management is paramount in the paints and coatings industry. It affects not only product quality, but also efficiency and profitability in production. The ERP system from CSB streamlines this process through seamless documentation and versioning of recipes. Changes can be traced at any time, assuring transparent control and constant quality standards.
The close link between Recipe Management and production is imperative. The system ensures that raw materials are made available with the right quantity and at the right time, and it efficiently manages material flows and manufacturing processes. This flexibility allows Vestocor to respond fast to changing market demands, with no compromise in quality – a significant factor in an industry that deals with frequent changes in the market.
As the hazard data is directly linked with the recipes, all relevant safety requirements are fulfilled, and potential threats are identified early on. Such integration reduces the risk of incidents and breaches at the company, while ensuring permanent compliance with the latest legal requirements.
Traceability and quality management
The batch-based traceability system furnishes detailed documentation of raw material origins on an individual level and of the production process in general. This data is available on demand and accurately visualizes the supply and production chains, both upstream towards the suppliers and downstream towards the final products. In the event of quality deviations or necessary recalls, the company can respond fast and systematically.
Quality management is also linked with traceability: all relevant parameters are digitally captured, tested, and documented. This improves transparency and efficiency and at the same time, enables end-to-end quality control. This is a vital factor in an industry that must meet the highest safety standards.
ERP is the key to future success
The successful digitalization at Vestocor demonstrates that modern and, most importantly, integrated ERP systems achieve much more than mere compliance with legal standards. Through integration of hazardous materials management, precise recipe management, and seamless traceability, the company substantially improves the efficiency and transparency of its processes. Vestocor is now poised to meet growing market demands. At the same time, the company strengthens its position with regard to safety and product quality – factors that are critical to sustained success in the chemical sector.