Interview with TESTEX: Successful partnership

In our interview with Carole Laimbacher (TESTEX AG), we find out more about the core activities and values of the renowned company as well as our successful collaboration. From the testing and certification of textiles to the development of digital solutions such as the Test Matrix Application (TMA) – this partnership has not only improved the efficiency but also the quality of processes at TESTEX.

In a nutshell: What are TESTEX’s main tasks and what is the company’s focus?

Carole Laimbacher: TESTEX is mainly active in the testing and certification of textiles, with a focus on OEKO-TEX® certifications. We test textiles, leather goods and chemical auxiliaries for harmful substances in the laboratory and carry out audits in production companies worldwide. We also offer certification for personal protective equipment (PPE) and UV protection.

TESTEX is a renowned Swiss company with around 30 branches worldwide. How did the company manage to realise this expansion?

TESTEX was founded in 1846 as a silk drying company and has evolved over time, in particular by joining the OEKO-TEX Association in 1993 and merging with OETI from Austria in 2013. These milestones have fuelled our growth. However, the expansion also brought challenges, especially in digitalisation, where soxes supported us as a reliable partner.

What values and goals does TESTEX pursue?

Our core values are expertise, Swissness, globality and sustainability. The latter is particularly important to us, as we want to contribute to a sustainable economy with our tests and certifications.

What is your personal role at TESTEX, particularly in the development and implementation of the TMA?

As Group Business Intelligence Manager, I create analyses, KPIs and reports to support global and local teams in data-driven decision-making and process control. I also managed the TMA project internally and was the main point of contact for soxes.

soxes is a strategic partner of TESTEX – together we work on digital solutions for a smooth process at TESTEX. How did this collaboration come about?

Almost 10 years ago, TESTEX decided to work with soxes when we needed a new, group-wide ERP or laboratory system. soxes offers customised digital solutions and convinced us then and still does today.

What was the initial situation?

The vision for a “quick calculation” solution had existed for a long time. With the development of the ULU laboratory application, the question of test matrix calculation arose in 2015, but was rejected at the time due to its complexity. A new attempt was made in 2022 and the TMA was implemented as a standalone application in 2023.

How did the development of the digital test matrix solution with soxes progress? Were there any significant milestones or challenges?

The development of the digital test matrix solution in collaboration with soxes was extremely structured and effective. soxes proposed a two-phase project process, which proved to be very successful. In the first phase, detailed concepts and use cases were developed in joint workshops. We encountered various conceptual challenges and some complex elements, but we always managed to find solutions together.

In the second phase, the solution was developed and implemented gradually and pragmatically. Overall, the project ran extremely smoothly and we were able to overcome any obstacles successfully and promptly. The close co-operation and clear communication between our team and soxes contributed significantly to the success of the project.

soxes is ideally placed to familiarise itself with business processes and develop innovative digital solutions. Their ability to understand individual needs and requirements and offer customised solutions makes them a reliable and valuable partner.
Carole Laimbacher, Group Business Intelligence Manager at TESTEX AG

What are the advantages of the new digital solution?

The TMA has a number of advantages. It allows us to increase not only the quality but also the efficiency of our process for creating test matrices. Thanks to the structure of the TMA, we can also manage a large proportion of the configurations internally, allowing us to react flexibly to changing requirements for the test matrices. In this area in particular, soxes has done an outstanding job by developing a solution that fulfils our requirements in every respect.

Another highlight of the TMA is its user-friendly, intuitive and modern design. This not only makes onboarding and training much easier for our employees, but also gets them excited about using the new solution. The combination of functionality and user-friendliness makes TMA a valuable tool for our company.

What impact has the implementation of the solution had on TESTEX AG’s internal processes and results?

Thanks to TMA, our customer service teams can now focus more on customer service, as they spend less time understanding complex sets of rules for the creation of test matrices. This relief enables them to react more quickly to customer enquiries and respond better to the needs of the market.

How would you rate the collaboration with the soxes AG team during the project?

The collaboration with the soxes team during the project was extremely positive. Especially in the project management, we were lucky to work with two outstanding power women, Jenny and Alexandra, who not only had great expertise but also created a great team dynamic. Their uncomplicated way of finding solutions and their solution-orientated approach contributed significantly to the smooth running of the project. The development team at soxes also did an excellent job. They exceeded our requirements and expectations. Their technical expertise and ability to translate our vision into a working solution was impressive.

What does the TESTEX team particularly appreciate about working with soxes?

soxes is always solution-orientated, flexible and a real pleasure to work with. The collaboration was characterised by a spirit of partnership and cooperation, which enabled us to successfully complete the project and develop a high-quality solution that fully met our requirements.

Are there any other joint projects on the horizon?

Yes, we are currently working on a project in the PSA business area and are also planning updates for the TMA. We are convinced of the cooperation with soxes.

How would you recommend soxes as a partner for software solutions and co-operation with other companies?

If you are looking for a partner who can empathise with your business processes and develop innovative digital solutions, then soxes is an excellent choice. Their ability to understand individual needs and requirements and offer customised solutions makes them a reliable and valuable partner.

Thank you for the interview!