Actalent Provides Transformational Mechanical and Engineering Support to Large HVAC OEM

Actalent piloted and educated OEM leadership on the benefits of 3D ECAD, including reduced concept-to-release timelines, reduced sourcing/supplier deviations, reduced waste, and saved costs. The team then successfully implemented it across several programs globally.

Results at a Glance

Implemented electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) efficiency tools

Standardized legacy computer-aided engineering data to Mathcad software

Actalent successfully converted legacy data in multiple formats to a standard efficient format in Mathcad—enabling the development of best practices for design validation for consistency and reduced variability—as well as document design guides for specific components and subsystems for efficient new product development processes.

12% reduction in packaging cost for service parts

Actalent standardized packaging designs, reduced material costs, and improved collaboration with suppliers to reduce packaging costs for key service parts.

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The Client

A large, U.S.-based HVAC OEM.

The Challenge

Actalent's engagement with the HVAC OEM started with a relatively small problem: the mostly manual processes the client was using to manufacture the wire harnesses in their products was leading to extensive rework and delays.

Once Actalent got in the door by piloting a successful ECAD solution to this problem, the client called on the team to support and scale numerous initiatives over the next four years—from several multi-year new product introduction programs and SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, to simulation and value analysis and value engineering projects, among many other mechanical and electrical engineering services.

The Actalent Solution

Actalent's technical competencies, service quality and speed, in-depth understanding of client pain points, and transparent technical and project management processes enabled the firm to grow its engagement from one engineer in year one, to a team of 33 in the fourth year working with the client.

Throughout the engagement, Actalent drew on its technical capabilities and engineering talent—as well as a comprehensive grasp of industry best practices, requirements, and expectations—to earn and build trust with the client. The seamless coordination between Actalent’s US and India teams, both on-site and offshore, only deepened the client’s ability to depend on the team for more and more projects.

Actalent's tried and tested internal processes also played a critical role, empowering the team to deliver high quality services on a timely basis, standardize outputs, and scale up support faster. The team maintained this quality service by regularly soliciting and incorporating feedback from the client.

The Results

After starting with a one-month pilot project, Actalent gradually expanded its role and delivered lasting results across numerous programs. During the four-year engagement with the client, Actalent has supported engineering needs across multiple divisions, including:

New product and design development
Product localization support
Engineering change management
ERP implementation support
Electrical schematics and harness design
Tolerance stack-up analysis
Change request and change order creation in product data management
Value analysis and value engineering
Engineering change order/ Engineering change notice activities