Introduction
Yazaki Corporation, a global automotive infrastructure supplier founded in 1941, faced a familiar yet complex problem. Guided by its deep commitment to Japanese genba culture – where managers walk the factory floor to understand problems firsthand – the company’s European operations were struggling with fragmented innovation processes.
The Challenge
Across Yazaki’s 30+ EMEA countries, each location was operating in its own innovation silo:
Excel spreadsheets tracked Kaizen suggestions locally, but ideas rarely travelled beyond plant walls
Email chains buried brilliant engineering improvements in endless threads
SharePoint lists offered structure but lacked dedicated innovation workflows
No visibility meant successful ideas in Spain remained invisible to teams in Germany
“Engineering improvement ideas were hard to follow through a unified workflow, and each plant had its own method for logging suggestions,” explains a Yazaki project lead. The result? Valuable innovations were lost, employees felt discouraged, and managers couldn’t benchmark improvements across the region.
The Search – Finding the Perfect Innovation Platform
When Yazaki began evaluating innovation management solutions, they needed something special – a platform that could handle both shop-floor Kaizen suggestions and complex engineering projects while serving 30,000+ multilingual employees.
Why Crowdworx Won
After comparing several vendors, Crowdworx stood out for one critical reason: flexibility without compromise. “The software is designed exactly how we requested from the beginning,” noted Yazaki’s project lead. Unlike rigid alternatives, Crowdworx offered:
Multi-workflow capability – Handle different idea types with custom approval flows
Unified transparency – “Workflows are processed transparent and fast in one engine – not only one process, but many different, each with its own set of rules and roles”
Multilingual support – Including on-the-fly idea translation, essential for EMEA’s diverse workforce
Enterprise scalability – Proven track record with manufacturers like Siemens Healthineers and Magna
Dedicated partnership – “Great support whenever we needed” throughout implementation
The Transformation – From Chaos to Clarity
Rolling Out “IdeaHub”
In mid-2023, Yazaki launched Crowdworx as its regional “IdeaHub” through a methodical, phased approach: Phase 1: Foundation
Configured process templates to mirror existing Kaizen workflows
Imported historical idea data (no good suggestions left behind)
Set up custom forms and categories for different departments
Phase 2: Pilot & Refine
Initial rollout in select locations for feedback
Fine-tuned workflows based on real user experience
Phase 3: Regional Launch
Full deployment across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
Minimal training required thanks to intuitive interface
Branded internally to fit Yazaki’s unique culture
The Results – Innovation Unleashed
Breaking Down Silos
The transformation was immediate and measurable. Real-time visibility replaced the old “black box” approach – now every idea’s journey from submission to implementation is transparent to all stakeholders.
Cross-Border Collaboration
“An idea submitted in Spain could be seen and commented on by experts in Germany, breaking down silos.” This knowledge sharing became Yazaki’s competitive advantage, with successful improvements rapidly spreading across plants.
Key Improvements Achieved
Faster Decision-Making – Automated workflows prevent ideas from languishing; system escalates stalled ideas automatically
Higher Engagement – Notable uptick in idea generation since launch; employees see suggestions acknowledged and tracked
Better Management Insight – Unified dashboards show idea pipelines across entire EMEA region with filtering by plant, topic, or status
Eliminated Administrative Burden – No more manual Excel tracking or email chains
Measurable Impact – Clear visibility into cost savings and efficiency gains from implemented ideas
Real Success Story
In one division, an advanced wiring harness design process dramatically reduced production time. Once shared on IdeaHub, other plants rapidly adopted the innovation – exactly the kind of fast, organization-wide transformation Yazaki’s leadership envisioned.
The Bottom Line
“Crowdworx has turned our previously fragmented innovation program into a unified ‘IdeaHub’ with much higher agility and reach,” reports a Yazaki innovation coordinator. By replacing cumbersome Excel sheets with a cloud-based, real-time solution, Yazaki EMEA transformed their innovation culture from scattered local efforts into a strategic, integrated activity spanning 30+ countries.
What Made the Difference
One platform managing both Kaizen suggestions and engineering projects
Complete transparency with real-time idea tracking
Cross-location collaboration breaking down geographic silos
Automated workflows ensuring no idea gets forgotten
Multilingual support engaging diverse workforce
Enterprise scalability supporting 30,000+ employees
Today, Yazaki’s European operations run on a foundation of continuous innovation – where every employee, from shop floor to engineering lab, contributes to a unified vision of improvement and excellence.
Project Lead
Byron Kaluza
Project Manager at Crowdworx, driving innovation and continuous improvement for global organizations. He specializes in creating tailored, highly customized workflows that translate complex client needs into simple, effective solutions.
With a background at McKinsey & Company and experience leading transformation projects for a global digital marketplace, Byron brings deep expertise in Agile, Lean, and Kaizen to every engagement. His projects span industries from energy and automotive to manufacturing and consulting, helping organizations worldwide turn ideas into measurable impact.
About Crowdworx
Crowdworx® is the leading integrated software and consulting provider for all aspects of Idea and Innovation Management. With locations in Berlin and Poznan, we help our customers in numerous regions of the world with an excellent and comprehensive product and service portfolio for small and medium-sized businesses as well as corporate clients.
