Zimtstern

How TRIMIT Became the Backbone of Zimtstern’s Success

When Zimtstern, a beloved brand in the German-speaking market, re-emerged in 2019, its founders had a clear vision: to establish a lean, agile organization capable of thriving in the competitive sportswear industry.

From day one, TRIMIT has been an integral part of Zimtstern’s journey, providing the robust ERP foundation necessary to build and grow a modern business in a highly competitive market.

A Fresh Start for Zimtstern

Founded in Switzerland, Zimtstern initially gained a loyal following for its snowboard and ski apparel. However, changing market conditions and high operational costs forced the brand into dormancy. In 2019, Zimtstern was reborn, with a redefined focus on mountain biking — a booming sport with millions of enthusiasts in Germany alone.

“At the time, we evaluated three to four ERP providers. Having worked with TRIMIT before, it was clear we should include them in our considerations. Business is about people and solutions, and TRIMIT stood out in terms of implementation, establishment, and long-term operational costs,”

Sönke Voss

Owner & CEO of Zimtstern

Why TRIMIT?

For Zimtstern, selecting the right ERP system was not just a priority — it was a necessity:

“Without an ERP system, you cannot run a company in the fashion industry. Nowadays, you need article master data to sell any products and to get into any retailer or wholesaler” explains Sönke.

Having worked with TRIMIT in a previous role at another company, Sönke recognized the system’s potential to support Zimtstern’s needs:

“At the time, we evaluated three to four ERP providers. Having worked with TRIMIT before, it was clear we should include them in our considerations. Business is about people and solutions, and TRIMIT stood out in terms of implementation, establishment, and long-term operational costs,” he recalls.

During the evaluation of their options, Sönke and Hans met up with TRIMIT. The meeting was a very pleasant experience that helped them make the final decision:

“When we had the initial meeting, it wasn’t the typical sales meeting or standard presentation. It was very casual and conversational, where the consultants showed us how TRIMIT could align with our vision, adapt to our demands and personalize the system to Zimtstern.” describes Hans.

Essentially, several factors made TRIMIT the clear choice for Zimtstern:

Integrated Solution: TRIMIT offered a comprehensive ERP system that required minimal external add-ons, aligning perfectly with Zimtstern’s lean operational model.

Customizability: TRIMIT’s flexibility allowed the system to be tailored to Zimtstern’s unique requirements, from managing article data to scaling operations

Strong Partnership: The personal touch from TRIMIT’s team, including tailored presentations and ongoing support, solidified Zimtstern’s decision.

“For us, TRIMIT is the foundation of our business, because without their ERP system, we actually cannot work or do any business: we would not be able to invoice deliveries or handle a lot of other aspects of our business operations.”

Hans Allmendiger

Owner & CEO at Zimtstern

Whether you are drawn to cycling, hiking or winter sports in nature and whether you prefer running or trail running: With Zimtstern you will discover a Swiss brand that focuses on the mountains and fun with friends.

TRIMIT’s Impact on Daily Operations

Not once has Sönke and Hans doubted that TRIMIT was the right decision, and since the implementation, they have not been disappointed:

“For us, TRIMIT is the foundation of our business, because without their ERP system, we actually cannot work or do any business: we would not be able to invoice deliveries or handle a lot of other aspects of our business operations.” explains Hans.

Sönke slightly corrects the statement:

“Perhaps we could work, but without analytics or customer history, we would lack the foundation for critical system reports needed to manage and scale the business.”

This is how TRIMIT has been the cornerstone of Zimtstern’s operations since 2019:

Efficiency in Retail Operations: The B2B portal has streamlined communication with retailers, offering a user-friendly interface that resembles an online shop. “It’s fast, intuitive, and available 24/7, which is crucial in our business,” says Sönke.

Data-Driven Decision Making: From managing customer histories to generating critical business reports, TRIMIT enables Zimtstern to analyze and scale their operations effectively.

Agility and Reliability: By reducing manual processes and offering integrated solutions, TRIMIT helps Zimtstern maintain its agile structure, even during challenging market conditions.

A Collaborative Relationship

Beyond its technical capabilities, TRIMIT’s understanding of the fashion and sportswear industry has been invaluable:

“The cooperation with TRIMIT is special to us. They don’t just act as IT providers; they understand our daily challenges and simplify complex processes for us in a language that we can understand.”

Sönke elaborates:

“Although you talk to IT people, you don’t feel like you are talking to ‘IT nerds’, because they know about the daily life of a business in the fashion industry. You talk to people who always make complex knowledge understandable and know how we can improve our business and run it smoothly without any limitations or hurdles to overcome.”

Both, Sönke and Hans, emphasize how the down-to-earth (but professional) approach at TRIMIT is something that he values a lot:

“The people at TRIMIT who are supporting and servicing us are very competent, very fast and very flexible. I must really say that I have only experienced a very nice, friendly, respectful level of communication from our TRIMIT consultants. That is very important to me in a partnership,” Sönke shares.

The partnership between TRIMIT and Zimtstern has evolved over time. Initially, TRIMIT served as a sparring partner, guiding Zimtstern through the setup and implementation process. Today, the collaboration has shifted to exploring new possibilities, such as transitioning to a cloud-based solution and integrating additional tools like the Sales Agent Portal.

“The people at TRIMIT who are supporting and servicing us are very competent, very fast and very flexible. I must really say that I have only experienced a very nice, friendly, respectful level of communication from our TRIMIT consultants. That is very important to me in a partnership,"

Sönke Voss

Owner & CEO at Zimtstern

As Zimtstern continues to grow, TRIMIT remains a trusted partner, providing the scalability and innovation needed to adapt to a dynamic market.

From its humble beginnings at a kitchen table to becoming a recognized player in the mountain biking industry, Zimtstern’s journey is a testament to the power of strong partnerships and the right tools. With TRIMIT by its side, Zimtstern is poised to continue its...
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