As a European leader in surface treatment with over 70 years of experience, Electropoli operates in highly demanding sectors such as automotive, aerospace, defense, and energy. Their commitment to innovation, rigorous quality standards, and compliance with environmental regulations—demonstrated by patented processes such as Zeltec® and adherence to directives like REACH—requires robust internal controls and process optimization.

Additionally, managing complex logistics, diverse customer specifications, and a wide range of specialized coatings across multiple international sites presents a challenge to maintaining operational excellence and continuous improvement.

This article describes how Electropoli, specifically their Polish branch, Electropoli Poland Sp. z o.o. in Bielsko-Biała, implemented modern technology to streamline audit processes. We explore the successful implementation of auditomat®, developed by 2KMM Sp. z o.o., to increase efficiency and effectiveness in auditing across their complex operational structure.

Insights are provided by Bartłomiej Jaroszek, Head of Optimization and Improvement at Electropoli Poland, who shares the integration journey of auditomat® and Electropoli’s continuous pursuit of higher quality, compliance, and operational fluidity.

Challenges Before Implementing auditomat® at Electropoli

In industrial environments where precision, quality, and compliance are critical, effective audit management forms the foundation of success. Before implementing auditomat®, Electropoli faced several challenges in audit processes that hindered optimization and the effective tracking of nonconformities. These challenges were mainly caused by traditional, manual workflows, which created inefficiencies and limited operational visibility:

• Ineffective corrective actions:
  • Low completion rates or delays in implementing corrective actions after audits, resulting in missed deadlines.
  • Recurring nonconformities due to a lack of effective oversight and enforcement mechanisms, allowing operational issues to persist.
  • Audits were previously conducted using paper forms or Excel, complicating information flow. Monitoring nonconformities and audit progress did not meet expectations, and documentation was often inconsistent and dispersed across the production floor.

“Audits used to be conducted on paper or Excel, making oversight challenging. Multiple sources of documentation made tracking nonconformities difficult.”
— Bartłomiej Jaroszek, Optimization and Improvement

• Problems with information flow and accountability:
  • Unclear assignment of responsibility for nonconformities, complicating task allocation and progress tracking.
  • Significant difficulty in obtaining or tracking information on nonconformities and corrective actions throughout the audit process.
  • Paper-based audits and Excel files slowed communication and data exchange.
• Limitations of traditional documentation methods:
  • High risk of losing paper documents.
  • Difficulties storing and archiving large volumes of audit data.
  • Transcribing paper results into Excel was time-consuming and error-prone.
• Lack of transparency and oversight:
  • Inconsistent audit documentation hindered uniform evaluation.
  • Limited real-time oversight prevented quick reactions and proactive management.

Solutions Provided by auditomat®

To address these challenges and implement a modern, effective audit management tool, Electropoli adopted auditomat®. This strategic move transformed manual processes into an automated and integrated system, bringing measurable improvements in efficiency, transparency, and control. The system automated many manual tasks, providing a comprehensive tool for audit management:

• Centralization and data accessibility:
  All audits, reports, nonconformities, and corrective actions are now in a single, centralized system, eliminating the need to search through dispersed files, emails, or network drives. Authorized personnel can access data in real time from a computer, tablet, or mobile device, improving internal communication and speeding up decision-making.
• Increased efficiency and time savings:
  • Average audit execution time reduced by 30–40%, enabling more frequent and in-depth audits.
  • Audit preparation time reduced by 50–60%.
  • Number of audits conducted annually increased by nearly 50%.
  • Audit processing time (data capture, reporting) reduced by ~70%, minimizing manual work and bureaucracy.
  • Errors from manual data entry were eliminated, increasing accuracy and reliability.

“auditomat® is a highly practical tool that significantly streamlines audit management. Audits are now faster and smoother, with automatic reporting saving considerable time.”
— Bartłomiej Jaroszek, Optimization and Improvement

• Improved audit quality and control:
  • Recurring nonconformities decreased by ~20% due to better tracking and analysis.
  • Responsibilities can be assigned, and deadlines for corrective actions monitored.
  • Automatic reporting saves time and improves control over audit activities.
• Streamlined auditor workflow:
  • Audits can be performed immediately on-site, with data and photos attached directly from mobile devices.
  • Significant time savings for shift leaders and auditors, who can complete audits without moving between documents or offices.
  • User-friendly interface allows quick adoption without extensive training.
• Positive impact on management:
  • Leadership has constant visibility over the progress of corrective actions.
  • Top management feedback highlights real improvements in operations, allowing focus on priority areas.
• Scalability:
  The system is being expanded to other areas, including quality (analysis of nonconforming parts), maintenance, and departments such as HR, demonstrating its versatility and scalability. Electropoli recommends auditomat® as an effective, practical tool for audit management.

Summary

The implementation of auditomat® at Electropoli Poland Sp. z o.o. demonstrates how strategic investments in modern technology can transform critical operational processes. Replacing traditional, manual audit methods—which caused challenges such as document loss and ineffective corrective actions—with an automated system brought measurable benefits.

As Bartłomiej Jaroszek emphasizes, auditomat® not only reduced audit execution and processing times by 30–70%, but also increased audit frequency, improved quality, and decreased recurring nonconformities by 20%.

If your company faces similar challenges in audit management, Electropoli’s experience shows a clear path forward.

Contact 2KMM Sp. z o.o. to learn how auditomat® can help your organization achieve similar results. Visit the auditomat® website or write to schedule a demonstration and start transforming your audit management today.