Valmet Transforms Global Operations
with FacilityOS's Cutting-Edge Visitor &
Emergency Management Modular Platform
Customer Success Story
Strengthening Security & Emergency Protocols
Valmet, a global leader in process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries, operates over 40 locations in North America alone. With a diverse range of facilities, including manufacturing sites and service centers, Valmet faced the significant challenge of standardizing safety and operational efficiency across its extensive operations.
The Challenge
Valmet struggled with managing high visitor volumes and ensuring consistent emergency response systems across its multiple sites. Their reliance on an outdated manual pen-and-paper system for both visitor management and emergency response was inefficient and posed serious security and compliance risks.
The lack of a standardized system across Valmet's sites led to inconsistent and often rudimentary emergency management procedures. Some locations relied on basic methods, such as fire alarms or even manual shouting, to alert personnel during emergencies. These outdated processes were prone to delays and errors, further complicating the company's ability to manage emergencies efficiently and maintain regulatory compliance.
"We were looking at solutions that could meet OSHA requirements for visitor and contractor safety, and that's where FacilityOS helped us, especially with ISO compliance."
Nick Lising
Sr. Manager, Health, Safety and Environment,
North America, Valmet
Recognizing these challenges, Valmet understood the pressing need for a more reliable, automated solution that could enhance safety, streamline processes, and integrate seamlessly with its existing technological infrastructure.
Pain Points
Outdated Visitor Management Practices
Lack of Emergency Preparedness & Response Procedures
Inconsistent Practices Across the Company
The Journey
Recognizing the need for a comprehensive solution to address their visitor management and emergency response challenges, Valmet embarked on a meticulous selection process. Led by IT Manager Bruno Gallo, Valmet sought a system that could seamlessly integrate with their existing workflows while significantly improving efficiency and compliance across their numerous North American facilities.
Gallo led a thorough selection process in collaboration with key stakeholders from the IT, HSE, and Facilities Departments. The committee evaluated five different suppliers on their emergency management capabilities, integrations, and security features to ensure the chosen solution would meet Valmet's complex needs.
After narrowing down to two top contenders, Valmet conducted a proof of concept to verify that the system could meet their specific requirements. The entire process, from initial research to final selection, took approximately four months.
Ultimately, FacilityOS (formerly iLobby) emerged as the preferred solution due to its comprehensive feature set, competitive pricing, and robust emergency management capabilities. The decision to implement FacilityOS's solutions was not just about addressing immediate needs, but also about future-proofing Valmet's operations, aligning with their long-term strategic goals.
Choosing FacilityOS
Rolling out VisitorOS and EmergencyOS, modules from the FacilityOS platform, at Valmet's North American sites marked a significant improvement over their existing manual processes. The implementation was carefully orchestrated to ensure a smooth transition, minimizing disruption to daily operations while maximizing the adoption of the new systems.
Modernizing Visitor Management
To address the outdated visitor management processes, Valmet deployed VisitorOS across their facilities. The system transformed visitor registration and intake, replacing the old pen-and-paper method with sleek, efficient kiosks.
These kiosks streamlined the entire visitor experience, from check-in to badge printing and contractor training. The new system also introduced a pre-registration feature, allowing employees to register their visitors in advance. This both reduced wait times and enhanced security by providing a clear record of expected visitors.
"It's cut down our contractor training time significantly. It used to take me anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, now it takes 5 minutes."
Jonathan Williams
EHS Manager, North America Flow Control, Valmet
For contractors, the system integrated safety orientations directly into the check-in process. This ensured that all contractors received and acknowledged necessary safety information before entering the facility, significantly improving compliance and reducing the administrative burden on Valmet's staff. The impact was substantial, reducing the time it took to train contractors by more than 90%. What used to take up to an hour per contractor was drastically reduced to just 5 minutes.
Revamping Emergency Response
To combat the dated nature of Valmet’s emergency response procedures, the company implemented EmergencyOS. This system provided a unified platform for managing and communicating during emergencies across all of Valmet's North American sites.
EmergencyOS allowed Valmet to enrich and move beyond rudimentary alert systems like fire alarms or manual notifications. Now, in the event of an emergency, designated staff could quickly send detailed alerts to all impacted employees and visitors via multiple channels, including text messages and emails. This ensured that critical information reached everyone in real-time, regardless of their location within the facility. It also meant that they were able to communicate with off-site employees regarding emergency situations.
The system also facilitated more efficient evacuation processes and headcounts. With real-time access to visitor logs and employee check-ins, Valmet could now account for everyone on-site during an emergency much more quickly and accurately than before.
Standardizing Practices Across the Company
The FacilityOS platform addressed the inconsistency in practices across Valmet's various locations by providing a standardized, yet flexible, system that could be implemented company wide. Both VisitorOS and EmergencyOS were designed to be easily configurable to meet the specific needs of each site while maintaining a consistent core functionality.
This standardization extended to reporting and analytics as well. With all sites now using the same system, Valmet's management could easily access and compare data across locations, providing valuable insights into visitor trends, contractor compliance, and emergency response effectiveness.
The implementation of the FacilityOS platform wasn't just about installing new technology; it represented a fundamental shift in how Valmet approached visitor management and emergency preparedness. By addressing each of their key pain points with targeted, innovative solutions, Valmet has created a safer, more efficient, and more compliant operating environment across all of their North American facilities.
Key Benefits
- Improved Visitor Management
- Streamlined Emergency Communications
- Enhanced Contractor Safety Compliance
- Standardization Across Locations
- Easier Auditing and Compliance
- Operational Insights
The Benefits
With the FacilityOS platform in place, Valmet not only achieved its goals but also exceeded its expectations. They have addressed their critical operational challenges while laying a solid foundation for future growth and adaptability in managing facility security and emergencies.
- Improved Visitor Management: The pre-registration process and robust visitor management system have effectively streamlined visitor flow, ensuring security without sacrificing efficiency.
- Streamlined Emergency Communications: EmergencyOS has enhanced Valmet's preparedness and response times during emergencies, significantly improving communication across all facilities.
- Enhanced Contractor Safety Compliance: The integration of safety orientations into the check-in process has significantly reduced the time and effort required to ensure contractor compliance.
- Standardization Across Locations: FacilityOS has helped Valmet achieve a consistent visitor management process across their North American sites.
- Easier Auditing and Compliance: The digital system has simplified the process of retrieving visitor and contractor information for audits, helping Valmet meet regulatory requirements more effectively.
- Operational Insights: The data and insights provided by the FacilityOS platform have empowered Valmet to make informed decisions, boosting overall operational efficiency and safety.
The FacilityOS platform has transformed Valmet's visitor management and emergency response processes across North America. The company has significantly enhanced safety, compliance, and operational efficiency, addressing its key challenges head-on. The standardized system has improved decision-making and reduced administrative burden, setting a new benchmark for excellence that Valmet aims to expand globally.
Looking Ahead
Valmet's implementation of VisitorOS and EmergencyOS is a testament to the power of embracing technological advances in the face of evolving challenges. They successfully turned operational inefficiencies into opportunities for growth and improvement while creating a safe and secure environment across their North American facilities.
The success of this implementation has addressed immediate challenges and has also positioned Valmet to easily scale and adapt their visitor management and emergency response capabilities as they continue to grow.
"It's helped us phenomenally. Not only has it improved visitor tracking and access, but has helped us close gaps in contractor safety as well."
Nick Lising
EHS Sr. Manager, North America, Valmet
The positive impact has been so significant that Valmet is now considering expanding the implementation to their European locations, potentially setting a new global standard for visitor management and emergency response across the entire organization.
Learn more about FacilityOS
Ready to see how you can maximize your facility's operational efficiency and visitor management processes?
Book a Demo