Automotive - Coplan / KIT

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KIT® named finalist for Software Solution of the Year at the 2026 Instrumentation & Electronics Awards

September 3, 2026/in Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, ExploreKit, Food & Drink, News/by Wayne Stant

Coplan Ltd is delighted to announce that KIT® has been named a finalist in the Software Solution of the Year category at the 2026 Instrumentation & Electronics Awards. The shortlisting recognises KIT’s innovative approach to inventory intelligence, calibration management and operational readiness, as well as its growing impact across the instrumentation sector.

According to the award organisers: “Software solutions can, among other things, help solve problems or improve operational efficiency. This award recognises the most innovative software solutions and services in the instrumentation sector.”

While many equipment inventory solutions focus on recording assets, KIT goes further by combining a highly visual approach to asset management, inventory intelligence, calibration tracking and audit automation in a single platform. This enables organisations to reduce operational risk, improve efficiency and maintain complete confidence in asset readiness.

KIT’s innovation lies in transforming traditionally manual, time-consuming asset management processes into highly visual, auditable workflows that improve productivity, compliance and service delivery. Today, KIT helps organisations manage hundreds of thousands of critical assets for large manufacturing & specialist engineering customers in highly regulated sectors such as aerospace, automotive, food and drink and defence.

The KIT platform demonstrates:

Innovation within the instrumentation sector
Proven operational efficiency gains
Strong user adoption through intuitive design
Measurable customer outcomes
Scalability across industries and operational environments

While many enterprise systems struggle with user adoption, KIT succeeds because it reflects the reality of the shop floor. By mirroring physical workspaces through intuitive visual interfaces, the platform transforms complex inventory management into fast, simple and highly controlled processes. The result is less administration, greater accuracy and more time spent on productive operational activities.

“Being shortlisted for Software Solution of the Year is fantastic recognition of the work our team has put into developing KIT,” said Wayne Stant, Head of Marketing Strategy for KIT. “We’ve focused on solving practical operational challenges faced by many organisations every day. By making inventories visual, accessible and intuitive, KIT has achieved something rare in industrial software: genuine user adoption. Teams can verify equipment readiness in seconds rather than hours, delivering better compliance, faster audits and greater productivity.”

Shortlisting for Software Solution of the Year marks another important milestone for KIT as it continues to help organisations improve operational readiness, simplify compliance and gain greater control of critical assets.

The winners will be announced at the Instrumentation & Electronics Awards ceremony on 15 October 2026 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, where KIT will compete alongside some of the instrumentation sector’s most innovative software and technology providers.

How KIT helps manufacturers take back time and stay in control of tooling

June 16, 2026/in Aerospace, Automotive, Blog, Defence, Food & Drink/by Wayne Stant

A recent article in Manufacturing Management highlighted findings from research published in the report “Same factory, different reality – the growing divide between manufacturing leadership and operators” by OFS that details an all too familiar problem in UK manufacturing: too much time is still being lost to manual reporting, disconnected systems and a lack of real-time visibility or control.

When operators spend valuable minutes logging information, chasing updates or waiting for someone else to surface an issue, productivity suffers. The real cost is not only admin time. It is slower response, more downtime, missed deadlines and less confidence in the data being used on the shop floor. KIT is built to solve exactly these problems by giving manufacturers a simpler, faster way to manage tooling, audits and calibration in one place.

1. KIT reduces manual reporting and admin-heavy workflows

One of the biggest issues raised in the report is the amount of time operators lose to manual reporting. KIT helps remove that burden by replacing scattered spreadsheets, paper-based checks and disconnected records with one intelligent tool control system. Instead of spending time updating multiple logs or preparing information for audits, teams can complete visual tool audits in seconds, access centralised records instantly and keep tooling data current without the usual back-and-forth. That means less time feeding systems and more time focused on production.

2. KIT gives instant visibility of tooling status

The report makes it clear that limited access to real-time information slows down decision-making. KIT changes that by giving manufacturers immediate visibility of their tooling inventory, calibration status and audit position. Using KIT’s dashboard, teams can see what tools they have, where they are, what condition they are in and what needs attention without relying on someone to pull reports manually. This instant visibility helps issues get spotted earlier, reduces the risk of tooling gaps and supports quicker, better-informed decisions on the shop floor.

3. KIT improves control and accountability across operations

Disconnected systems often create uncertainty around ownership, responsibility and next actions. KIT brings control back by creating a single source of truth for tooling records, audit activity and calibration requirements. With everything managed centrally, manufacturers can standardise processes, reduce tool creep, improve traceability and make it easier for teams to work consistently across departments or sites. Better control does not just support compliance; it also reduces the operational noise that distracts teams from value-adding work.

4. KIT helps manufacturers free up time where it matters most

Manufacturers do not win by asking skilled people to spend more of their shift on admin. They win when those people can focus on production, quality and solving problems early. By simplifying audits, streamlining calibration management and centralising tooling information, KIT helps free up time across the business. Time that would otherwise be lost to searching, checking, logging and chasing can be reinvested in higher-value activity. The result is a more efficient operation, with less friction and fewer delays.

Why this matters now

Many manufacturers have invested in digital systems, but the report suggests that too many frontline processes still remain manual beneath the surface. That is exactly where KIT delivers value. It does not add more complexity. It removes it. By making tool control simpler, more visible and more actionable, KIT helps manufacturers move beyond the appearance of digital transformation and towards something more useful: time saved, better decisions and stronger operational control.

For manufacturers looking to cut wasted time and give teams the clarity they need to perform, intelligent tool control is not a nice to have. It is a practical way to reduce friction, improve responsiveness and create a more productive factory floor. That is where KIT makes the difference.

tool management critical to ensuring vital safety testing gives accurate results

Transforming tool management at UTAC with KIT

May 1, 2026/in Automotive, Case Study, Defence, ExploreKit, Tool Audits, Tool Calibration, Tool Inventory Management/by coplan

Client Overview

Since 1924, UTAC has led the mobility industry, driving progress toward a safer, cleaner future and offering a wide range of services to support bringing vehicles to market.

3D illustration. Clay car inside wind tunnel. Design without real car reference and without copyright. Concept sports car, industry of transportation.

With a footprint of 55 laboratories and 250km of test tracks across the globe, and a team of over 1,300 trusted experts, UTAC are one of the world’s leading independent experts in automotive testing and engineering. They offer a vast array of tailor-made services for the testing and certification of civilian and military vehicle alike. UTAC operates in a high-pressure environment where precision, speed, and reliability are non-negotiable.

Their work determines whether vehicles are fit for operational duty or use on our roads, so their tools must be flawless.

Challenge

Like many engineering teams, prior to adopting KIT, they faced familiar but costly operational challenges around tool management:

Tools were not always returned to their designated locations or were out on loan but not consistently tracked.
Engineers often took time to locate equipment, potentially affecting project timelines and costs.
Calibration tracking was not systematic or user-friendly, so was hard to maintain.
Limited visibility and inconsistent standards made cross-departmental collaboration more difficult.

Solution

KIT was introduced as a unified platform for tool and equipment management. Its intuitive user interface allowed engineers to:

Locate and grab tools quickly and efficiently.
Visually audit tool inventory prior to vehicle testing.
Scan tools, check calibration status, certificates and instructions.
Track loans and returns across departments.
Maintain real-time visibility of inventory status and calibration schedules.

Results

Since adopting KIT, the team has seen measurable improvements across operations, culture, and morale:

Operational Efficiency: Engineers now spend less time searching for tools and more time executing tests.
Business Continuity: Critical equipment is always available when needed, reducing downtime and ensuring delivery commitments.
Cultural Shift: KIT has become embedded in daily workflows, fostering a culture of accountability and precision.
Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time insights enable better forecasting, budgeting, and client billing.
Morale Boost: Technicians feel empowered and valued, with fewer frustrations and clearer processes.

Customer Quote

“KIT has changed how we do inventory. It’s no longer a painful audit; it’s embedded in how we work. We can now commit to customers with absolute confidence, knowing our tools are calibrated, available, and accounted for.”

Steven Durrant, Principal Trials Project Engineer
UTAC

UTAC case study

Advanced Engineering UK

April 28, 2026/in Aerospace, Automotive, Event/by coplan

Venue: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham

Date: 4th-5th November 2026

Stand: J170F

Website: https://www.advancedengineeringuk.com/

Why attend: Advanced Engineering is the UK’s only event that brings together every major industrial ecosystem to drive high-value manufacturing and supply chain innovation. It is where leading thinkers in design, engineering and manufacturing collaborate to solve real-world challenges, accelerate innovation, develop skills and build a more sustainable future.

From net-zero composites to energy-efficient processes, the event showcases the technologies, ideas and solutions shaping the future of engineering.

Visitors will see how KIT offers a practical, immediate way to improve tool control, streamline calibration management and strengthen audit readiness, helping teams unlock efficiency without compromising on compliance or quality.

KIT wins big: named Calibration Product of the Year at 2025 Instrumentation & Electronics Awards

October 27, 2025/in Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Food & Drink, News, Tool Calibration/by coplan

Making tool calibration a seamless part of your operation

Milton Keynes, UK – October 27, 2025: KIT®, the innovative tool control and calibration management platform, has been named Calibration Product of the Year at the prestigious Instrumentation and Electronics Awards 2025.

One of fifteen product award categories, the Calibration Product of the Year highlights that “Calibration is an essential part of the measurement process, ensuring that instruments are delivering to the correct standard. This award recognises the top product that makes calibration possible.”

This recognition celebrates KIT’s commitment to precision, reliability, and digital transformation in calibration workflows. By streamlining inventory management, visual audits, and calibration tracking, KIT removes headaches for operational leads and empowers engineering teams to maintain compliance and control with ease.

“We’re honoured to receive this award. It’s a testament to the hard work of our team and the trust our customers place in KIT to simplify and elevate their calibration processes,” said Paul Mazaher, Managing Director of KIT. “This win reinforces our mission to bring clarity and control to every workspace.”

The award demonstrates KIT’s growing impact across industries where accuracy and accountability are critical, from aerospace and automotive, to advanced manufacturing.

tool calibration management keeps automated car production lines moving

KIT’s role in driving tool calibration management for a British luxury motor manufacturer

March 31, 2025/in Automotive, Case Study, Defence, Tool Calibration/by coplan

A British luxury motor manufacturer, renowned for its commitment to precision and quality, needed to ensure that their tool and equipment calibration processes were as robust as possible, whilst also enhancing how they managed and maintained their extensive array of calibrated tools and equipment.

A decision was made to partner with Coplan to implement KIT, a comprehensive tool calibration management solution designed to streamline the processes around prompting the collection and return of tooling and equipment amongst users whilst also offering a dynamic test and validation solution for internal validation checks of items.

Key Features & Benefits of KIT

Instant tool identification

Any tool or piece of equipment can be swiftly identified by scanning the attached barcode within the KIT application. This grants instant access to the calibration status, home location, owner(s) and other pertinent information. This streamlined process enhances efficiency and reduces downtime particularly when searching for and identifying tools ‘on the line’.

Calibration tests and validation

KIT enables users to create and publish the testing parameters for their calibrated tooling and equipment. The team are then able to perform validation checks on tooling and input the results. KIT cross-references the results against the parameters and then provides a detailed report for each and every test performed. The tool calibration management system offers a complete calibration history for every tool.

Reporting and reminders

KIT provides prompts and reminders via the system dashboard and notification emails, to ensure all appropriate parties are aware of equipment requiring calibration and the actions required to be taken. The system automates the traditional administrative task of notifying tooling and equipment owners to either arrange for their equipment to be ‘dropped off’ or collected as necessary, enabling teams to focus on the more proactive and appropriate tasks
KPI reports are also generated to provide the senior teams with an overview of performance, achievements and areas for improvement.

Return on Investment

Implementing KIT has resulted in a significant time saving for this manufacturer, through the reduction of manual administrative tasks typically associated with ensuring performance and compliance. Manual prompts and reminders have been replaced by automation of the entire tool calibration management process whilst the ease of data access through in-app scanning reduces the time spent identifying tooling and equipment.
The company already maintained the highest standards for these critical processes and have looked to improve these further by utilising the efficiency, reliability and scalability of KIT.

Centralised data

The system infrastructure is built on the latest technology with system speed and ease-of-use of paramount importance. This approach facilitates easy access to and the time saving retrieval of crucial information for the calibration process and operations.

KIT has empowered this British luxury motor manufacturer to elevate its calibration management processes, providing a scalable and customised solution that meets their very specific and unique needs. The implementation of KIT has not only improved efficiency but has also established a new standard for precision and accountability within the company’s tool calibration practices.

“KIT is a one-stop solution to store, record, inform and overall manage calibration of tools. We love the system. The prompts and reminder notifications alone are saving us 5 hours of admin emails a week. Overall, the system is easily saving us 1 day per week.”
Test & Measurement Manager
Leading British Automotive Manufacturer

KIT – Luxury Car Manufacturer Case Study