Making tool management simple: Ontic’s experience with KIT

Client Background

With over 7,000 customers and nine manufacturing facilities worldwide, Ontic is a leading manufacturer to the world’s civil and military aircraft, ensuring the continuity, availability and longevity of critical parts that keep aircraft flying now and in the future.

With a diverse and continually growing portfolio of over 8,000 products and 1 million component parts, their success meant that Ontic faced a growing challenge: managing thousands of tools across multiple sites, whilst maintaining visibility and control. Ontic recognised the need to move away from the paper-based system to maximise efficiency and reduce the risk of lost tools or unnecessary purchases of non-standard tools. That changed with KIT.

Challenge

With over 90 technicians and numerous toolboxes across several sites, Ontic wanted better control over tool usage, performing audits, and learning about missing or broken equipment in a timelier manner. Communal tools were difficult to manage, and the lack of real-time data made proactive decision-making nearly impossible.

"“The visibility KIT gives us is a game-changer. We know the location of all our tools, who they’re being used by and where some may need attention.” Paul Bates, Production Engineer, Ontic.

Solution

After evaluating several systems, Ontic chose KIT for its simplicity, flexibility, and scalability. The team began with a trial in one area, and thanks to a proactive cell manager, adoption quickly spread. KIT’s intuitive interface, audit tracking, and simple dashboards, reporting and data exports enabled Ontic to gain full control over their tooling estate and enhance efficiency.

Results

Since rolling out KIT, the impact has been clear:

• Tool traceability: 95% of toolboxes now digitised and audited via KIT.
• Reduced costs: Reduction in lost tools and duplicate purchases.
• Audit performance & ownership: Improved audit compliance and technician accountability.
• Customer perception: Enhanced customer confidence during site visits.
• Wider asset management: Used to manage health & safety equipment (first aid kits, de-fibs, eye wash stations).

"“The simplicity of the system and visibility at all levels ensures issues are resolved quickly, improving efficiency and reducing technicians’ frustration”. Paul Bates, Production Engineer, Ontic.