IWT and Aras Expand Partnership to Strengthen Digital Thread and Support Global Growth

[Cengiz Özemli]

## IWT Strengthens Digital Thread and Boosts Global Growth by Expanding Aras Partnership

IWT, a global company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and installation of washing systems for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, is expanding its use of Aras Innovator. This long-standing collaboration highlights the impact of product data management on industrial performance.

### The Path to Digital Thread Management

Before the collaboration between IWT and Aras began in 2018, IWT relied on semi-manual processes and managed data synchronization between engineering, ERP, and manufacturing with a CAD-centric PLM system. In this system, engineering change management lacked formal processes, part classification was limited, and document management was fragmented. Rapid growth in the industry and a highly regulated environment made these challenges even more apparent.

### Phased and Controlled Implementation

Aras Innovator was deployed in 2019, and design teams returned to normal operations within two weeks. In the first year, 25,000 parts were released with enriched product data and flexible BOM management, without creating additional workload for the engineering team. IWT continuously expanded the platform according to its priorities:

• 2019: Engineering workflows and ECO management
• 2021: Project data management, supporting compliance needs driven by growth in the pharmaceutical sector
• 2022: Spare parts management and maintenance kits for highly customized equipment
• 2025: Quote management, from customer requests to pricing

### Next Steps

Currently, the application of a digital twin for post-production equipment monitoring is being evaluated. Aras Variant Management has been successfully tested and is planned for widespread deployment in 2026. Today, 80% of IWT employees access product information via Aras Innovator, and 150 individuals contribute directly. This adoption has transformed the platform from merely an engineering solution into the backbone of product management across the entire company.

### Insights from Maurizio Cosolo, Operations Director at IWT

"After eight years of projects with Aras, we understand the strategic importance of centralized and interconnected product data much better. We believe that the digital thread enhances our data quality and supports our overall performance."

### Tangible and Long-Term Business Advantages

Thanks to the Aras Innovator platform, IWT has achieved significant improvements in data quality, consistency, and accessibility. Errors caused by data inconsistencies have been virtually eliminated, ECO priorities are managed in real-time according to business needs, and internal information requests have decreased. Aras's low-code flexibility has allowed IWT to adapt 20% of its functions to specific business requirements while keeping platform complexity low and fully leveraging core features.

### About IWT

Operating for over three decades from its 20,000-square-meter facility near Milan, IWT provides high-quality cGMP solutions to the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cell & gene sectors. It develops precise cleaning, isolation, and decontamination systems by integrating advanced 3D design and robotic manufacturing. Fully compliant with European Union Annex 1 standards, it offers maximum safety and flexibility in the most sensitive production environments.

### About Aras

Aras provides a digital thread platform for product lifecycle management and engineering artificial intelligence. Its AI-powered, low-code infrastructure enables rapid delivery of flexible solutions. It connects interdisciplinary teams to critical product data and agency-level AI, ensuring comprehensive value chain management throughout the product lifecycle.