A Full Picture of What’s Happening at the Plants

We spoke with Nataliya Lomonos, Performance Coordinator, and Michał Beták, Operations Manager at Danucem, about how TMS has transformed the daily work in Danucem’s aggregate plants.

When and on what scale did you implement the TMS system?

Nataliya Lomonos: At the end of 2023, the TMS system was launched across all Danucem aggregate plants in Slovakia and Hungary – from sand and gravel pits to quarries. It currently operates on 18 belt scales, 24 mobile machines, and 20 units monitoring electricity consumption.

Michał Beták: We were looking for a system that could deliver practical, real-time insights across various locations. TMS offered a solution with extensive reporting capabilities and strong integration with our existing equipment. Additionally, we received strong recommendations from our colleagues in Poland.

What does the TMS implementation mean for your teams’ daily work?

N.L.: Above all, we now have a complete picture of what’s happening in the plants. The system not only collects data but also presents it in an accessible format – through daily reports, heat maps, and automatic summary emails. This allows us to react in real time, not only after reviewing weekly reports.

What measurable results have you observed?

M.B.: The idle running time of mobile machines has dropped from 35% to 20%. This has led to fuel savings, longer intervals between maintenance, and better fleet utilization. Continuous monitoring and the ability to analyze production performance throughout the day allow us to react quickly to changes. In practice, this has translated into additional tens of thousands of euros in annual EBITDA.

And what about plant efficiency?

N.L.: Thanks to TMS reports, we now have complete data such as working time, downtime, performance, and production – all needed for weekly KPI reports and monthly meetings. The system shows how many tons per hour each production line can deliver, allowing us to aim for over 80% capacity utilization. It’s an essential tool for continuous control and planning.

M.B.: Previously, we relied on manual summaries and subjective assessments. Now we have data transparency and real-time tracking of results. It has completely changed how we make decisions – we know exactly where bottlenecks occur and can act immediately. We’ve also seen fewer errors and reduced human impact on those errors. An additional benefit is that every team member has access to the same data.

How is your cooperation with the TMS implementation team?

N.L.: Our cooperation is based on a close, partnership-oriented relationship. TMS is not an off-the-shelf product – it’s a solution that evolves with us. The IT team and machine operators have jointly developed various custom features so that the system truly meets our needs.

What were the biggest challenges during implementation?

M.B.: Definitely changing employees’ mindsets. Operators had to trust the system and learn how to use the data in their daily routines. At first, it wasn’t easy, as people tend to stick to their old, “proven” methods. But the breakthrough came when they saw real results – that built trust and engagement.

What’s next? How do you see your future cooperation with TMS?

N.L.: We aim to further automate reporting and analytics. The next step will be integrating TMS with other systems, including those supporting production and logistics management. It’s an ambitious plan, but we believe we’ll achieve it together.

Please complete the sentence: TMS is…

M.B.: …an indispensable tool for Automatized Online KPI, providing real-time insight into the entire aggregate production process, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and identifying bottlenecks.
TMS also delivers comprehensive visualization of results – from daily reports to weekly and monthly summaries – that directly improve profitability.

Interviewed by Sabina Szewczyk-Wajda