Schattdecor Optimizes Global Production Workflows with DALIM

A Global Surface Design Leader with a Commitment to Quality

Located in Thansau, Germany, between Munich and Salzburg, Schattdecor was founded in 1985 by Walter Schatt. Today, the company employs 2,800 people from 27 nations across 16 facilities worldwide, supplying high-quality decorative surfaces for furniture, laminate flooring, caravan/RV interiors, and public spaces.

Schattdecor’s success is built on one core principle: delivering consistent, high-quality standards worldwide. This is achieved through globally defined product portfolios, standardized processes, and production systems built to a strict “Made by Schattdecor” standard.

Digital Printing as a Strategic Expansion

While decorative paper has traditionally been printed using gravure presses, digital printing has become an essential addition to Schattdecor’s production strategy, allowing the company to respond flexibly to customer demands.

Theresa Mücke, a media computer scientist and industrial engineer in Schattdecor’s innovation and process management department, explains: “There are several significant trends that have accelerated our investment in digital printers. The machines are very flexible and it allows us to print a large number of short runs during the day.”

Driving Digital Transformation with DALIM SOFTWARE

As part of its digital transformation, Schattdecor selected DALIM ES to automate workflows and strengthen collaboration across the production chain.

“To advance the digital transformation of our production processes we decided to implement ES,” reports Mücke, who has been involved in the project from the outset.

DALIM supports both internal approvals and final proofing on digital printing machines. According to Mücke:

“On the one hand, the soft-proofing feature allows us to manage internal approval processes of customer individual design adjustments even better. On the other hand, we can control our final proofing process on the digital printing machine.”

When fully implemented, ES will manage the entire production workflow on Schattdecor’s digital presses, connecting design, repro, sales, and print into a single, integrated system.

Faster Processes, Less Manual Intervention

By digitizing approvals and automating key production steps, Schattdecor expects significant efficiency gains.

“The automated workflow will be simplified and faster. And, the entire manufacturing process will be less time-consuming and more flexible because of the use of a digital press and the DALIM workflow,” says Mücke.

Historically, customers received physical hardcopy proofs. In the future, Schattdecor plans to expand the use of DALIM'S Online Proofing Engine, a component of FUSION, to deliver online, collaborative soft proofs, creating a full record of comments and approvals while accelerating internal processes.

Integration with SAP and Internal Systems

Florian Maier, part of Schattdecor’s applications and processes team, oversees the ongoing DALIM implementation. A former intern, Maier has been involved with the project for nearly two years.

In addition to integrating the interfaces, one of the project’s challenges is to make DALIM compatible with the other systems used by Schattdecor, such as the SAP business system,” explains Maier.

Custom configuration is also required to ensure decor designs meet customer-specific printing requirements:

“In this respect, a lot has to be replicated or developed in order to adapt DALIM to our needs.”

Partner Collaboration and Real-Time Visibility

Technical support for the ES implementation is provided by Unisolve, DALIM SOFTWARE’s Munich-based partner. Martin Finger from Unisolve highlights the project’s broader goal:

“It’s about process optimization. For example, Schattdecor wants to know in real time where any product is in the manufacturing process.”

The integration of third-party systems like SAP ensures seamless data flow—from inventory and manufacturing through to invoicing.

“We are working on making the interface between DALIM and SAP as seamless as possible, ensuring that they both understand each other perfectly,” says Finger.

Scaling the Solution Worldwide

Schattdecor will initially deploy ES at its headquarters in Thansau, Germany—but global rollout is already planned.

“We will use the extensive and various range of DALIM'S functions to support our processes worldwide,” conclude Mücke and Maier.

DALIM SOFTWARE sees the project as a strong example of collaborative digital transformation.

“Schattdecor, its products, and its manufacturing processes are very special and intriguing. DALIM SOFTWARE is honored to be involved in this project and is providing any support that is needed,” says Bertin Sorgenfrey, Director Business Development at DALIM SOFTWARE.

“We are excited that DALIM will play an integral role and happy to offer our experience—and that of our international partner network—in this ongoing process.”