The power of visibility
As the industry chases smarter, leaner production, Stuga is finalising a two-part dashboard system that will revolutionise the way fabricators monitor performance. Technical director, Gareth Green, explains why this is a game-changer for operational efficiency.
Over the last 12 months, we’ve made some major changes at Stuga – not just in how we support our machines, but in how we support our customers. But what we are about to launch is one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever undertaken: a new dual-platform dashboard system designed to give fabricators better visibility, insight and control over their operations than ever before.
And I don’t say that lightly. At FIT Show this year, the reaction from visitors who really understand manufacturing data was one of genuine enthusiasm. We heard a lot of ‘no one else is doing this’ – which is exactly where we want to be.
Two platforms, one purpose
We’re developing two interlinked systems. The first is a customer portal created by Stuga, providing asset-specific information and support for every Stuga and Stürtz machine on site. Users can access technical documentation, track parts orders, monitor service issues and view upcoming maintenance – all in one place.
The second system is where things really get interesting. It’s called StürtzCloud – a production dashboard that gives real-time feedback from across the factory floor, whether that’s from our machinery or another supplier. Already widely used in Europe and the US, this will be its first introduction to the UK window industry.
What makes the system different?
StürtzCloud isn’t just another dashboard. It’s a full operational efficiency tracking system built specifically for fenestration. It captures real-time data from machines, measuring performance against throughput targets and factoring in shift patterns, break times and cycle times.
You don’t need to be a data analyst to understand it – green means you’re ahead, red means you’re behind. It’s visual, instant and actionable.
Crucially, this system helps fabricators measure their Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and identify faults or downtime events that are most impacting performance. It’s not just about knowing something’s gone wrong – it’s about knowing why, how often and what to do about it.
For example, if a gripper fault is flagged three times a day, that’s potentially an hour of lost output. That’s time you can win back if you know where to look. Because the data is coming straight from the machines, it removes the guesswork and subjectivity that often creeps in when issues are reported manually.
Easy to use
Other dashboard tools exist, but they’re generic and not built for this industry. In most cases, you’d need a specialised team to configure them and hook up the right data points.
What we’re offering is a ready-made solution built around fenestration workflows – backed by our UK-based support team.
It’s also simple to use. Whether you’re a production manager reviewing performance or an operator checking a single machine’s status, everything is intuitive and up to the second. No more walking the shop floor to manually log data – just real-time insight that drives smarter decisions.
In a word: efficiency. Fabricators are under pressure to do more with less – less labour, less downtime, less waste. By giving them visibility over their production line in a way that’s never been done before, we’re helping them focus their efforts where it matters most.
There’s also a long-term gain. As more customers use the system, we’ll have aggregated data that helps us – and Stürtz – spot patterns, refine machine design and make improvements that benefit everyone.
At Stuga, we’ve always believed that machinery is just the beginning. True value comes from how well equipment is supported, serviced and optimised over time. These new systems are the next step in that journey. They won’t just help fabricators run a tighter ship – they’ll help the entire industry raise its game.
