Webinar recap: Successfully implementing standardized processes with multilingual work instructions

This article shows how companies such as Liebherr have been able to standardize their production processes internationally through the use of multilingual, digital work instructions efficiently, comprehensibly, and independently of language or personnel barriers. You will learn why traditional training methods are increasingly reaching their limits, how digital platforms can help, and what results companies are achieving with them.

Globalization, a shortage of skilled workers, and growing product diversity pose major challenges for manufacturing companies. In Germany, the number of applicants for apprenticeships has been declining for years, while at the same time production lines are having to be relocated to other countries. In addition, many new employees speak neither German nor English and are expected to be immediately ready for work on the shop floor.

If these people are absent whether due to illness or vacation or even leave the company due to retirement or a job change, this can have a significant impact on quality, productivity, and competitive advantages. This dependency makes companies vulnerable both in day-to-day business and in crisis situations.

“We have many international locations. It is very important to ensure that every location builds the machines in the same way and that the quality remains the same.” Thomas Unmuth, Production Manager at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH

Localization: Same processes, different contexts

Work instructions must remain consistent in terms of content, but must be adapted visually, linguistically, and to local conditions. This means the same process steps, but communicated differently depending on the location.

Digitization: Fast, automated, scalable

With digital solutions such as Operations1, you can:

• Automatically import existing work instructions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF)

• Prepare them in multiple languages with AI-supported translation

• Provide content visually, interactively, and in a version-secure manner

These instructions can be quickly optimized at any time and made available to shop floor employees globally in the latest version.

Many companies often only realize their dependence on individual key personnel when it is too late – for example, when experienced employees fall ill, go on vacation, or retire. The classic master-apprentice principle is well established, but it is difficult to scale, labor-intensive, and prone to errors. What is missing is a solution that not only secures knowledge but also makes it actively usable regardless of language, location, or prior knowledge.

Digital, multilingual work instructions close this gap. They transform experiential knowledge into clear, easy-to-understand process instructions that are accessible to everyone – on the workstation screen or on a mobile tablet.

The advantages are obvious:

• New employees find their feet more quickly – even without prior knowledge.

• Training becomes more efficient, structured, and stress-free.

• Knowledge remains within the company – even when skilled workers leave.

• Processes are auditable and documented in a traceable manner at all times.

The Operations1 software solution is a good example of how this can be implemented. The process knowledge internationalization process is carried out in three simple steps:

1. Transfer existing instructions
Existing documents (e.g., PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are automatically imported using AI and converted into a digital structure.

2. AI-supported translation
Work instructions and checklists are translated into different languages at the touch of a button – including technically correct terms and cultural nuances.

3. Make it understandable
The digitized instructions are visually enhanced, e.g., with images, videos, checkboxes, or input fields, and made ready for use directly on the shop floor. This transforms fragmented, language-dependent knowledge into a clear, internationally applicable standard. Employees worldwide understand exactly what to do, and companies ensure maximum quality and efficiency.

Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH faced the challenge of relocating production lines to countries with more skilled workers available without compromising on quality, speed, or efficiency. The traditional method of laboriously training new employees on a one-to-one basis was too slow and unsustainable.

Results achieved through digital, multilingual work instructions:

• Previously: 3 years relocation time - with Operations1: 1 year through digitalized training

• Previously: 5 trainers for 5 temporary workers – with Operations1: 1 trainer supervises 5 at the same time

• Previously: Time-consuming training – with Operations1: −70% effort thanks to intuitive documents

• Previously: Dependence on head knowledge – with Operations1: Structured knowledge transfer

“Operations1 is easy to use and is very well accepted by the workers. In addition, its multilingual capability enables us to communicate clearly with our employees regardless of their country of origin. These were decisive factors for us.” Thomas Unmuth, Production Manager at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH