Milrem Robotics

Milrem Robotics is a global leader in the development of autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotic systems. Founded in 2013, the company provides battlefield-proven solutions for defense and security organizations that improve operational effectiveness, reduce risk, and enable the cost-effective deployment of new capabilities. Milrem Robotics systems are either in service or part of robotics programs in 20 countries, making the company’s solutions the most widely deployed UGV systems in the world. Operating internationally, the company is recognized for its innovative approach, responsible technology development, and close collaboration with customers and partners.

The customer’s rapid growth, increasing delivery volumes, and rising number of large international delivery projects are placing significant demands on project operations, production, and supply chain management. Existing operating models were no longer sufficient to support a growing project portfolio, production scaling, and the needs of procurement and lifecycle management services while meeting the specific requirements of the defense industry.

To support business growth, the customer needed to strengthen especially operational leadership, enhance project management and project leadership capabilities, and create the conditions for controlled production scaling and the successful execution of international delivery projects. At the same time, the organization needed to strengthen its ability to lead growth, develop capabilities, and build high-performing teams.

A long history of collaboration, combined with Semat’s extensive experience in developing projects, production operations, and supply chains within the defense industry, made Semat a natural partner to support the customer’s growth journey.

• Project Manager Services: In the role of Interim COO, Semat was responsible for leading day-to-day operations and developing delivery project management practices.
• Procurement Development: Semat supported the customer in developing procurement and supply chain management capabilities to better meet the requirements of the defense industry and support business growth.
• Manufacturing Processes and Production Scaling: Semat worked closely with the customer to develop manufacturing processes and support the transition toward scalable serial production.
• Technology Transfer: Semat supported the development of technology transfer capabilities to meet the needs of international delivery projects.
• Lifecycle Management and Aftermarket Services: Semat worked with the customer’s leadership team to develop aftermarket services and lifecycle management operating models.

Semat supported the customer’s growth by combining strategic and operational leadership, project operations development, and the strengthening of production and supply chain capabilities. The objective was to build, together with the customer, the operating models, organizational structure, and capabilities required to execute larger and more demanding defense industry delivery projects in a predictable and efficient manner.

The collaboration began with an assessment of the customer’s operating models, project management practices, and organizational readiness to manage a rapidly growing business. The assessment was carried out in close cooperation with the customer’s management and key personnel. Based on the findings, a development program was defined covering project governance, resource management, decision-making processes, production, and supply chain operating models.

Semat’s experts became an integrated part of the customer’s organization in Estonia. In the Interim COO role, Semat has been responsible for leading and developing operations, improving organizational performance, and transforming delivery project management together with the customer’s leadership team. A key element of the transformation was the reorganization of the project department, aimed at strengthening project management capabilities, clarifying responsibilities, and improving project portfolio management to support the company’s growth.

In addition, Semat’s external project managers worked closely with the customer’s organization to reorganize production operations and develop manufacturing capabilities. The objective has been to enable a controlled transition from low-volume manufacturing to scalable serial production without impacting ongoing deliveries.

Throughout the transformation, Semat’s experts worked side by side with the customer’s personnel to strengthen project operations, procurement and supply chain management, technology transfer processes, and product lifecycle management capabilities (LCM) to support the company’s long-term growth strategy. Particular emphasis was placed on mentoring project managers and operational leadership personnel, as well as building strong, collaborative teams.

As a result of the collaboration, the customer’s operational performance, delivery reliability, and production efficiency have improved significantly. After-sales services and the organization’s lifecycle management capabilities have also been substantially strengthened, enabling it to respond more effectively to the demands of its operating environment. The organization is benefitting from scalable operating models, a reorganized project organization, stronger project management practices, and enhanced capabilities to increase production and deliver large-scale international projects in compliance with the stringent requirements of the defense industry. At the same time, the customer’s expertise, leadership capabilities, and team performance have been significantly strengthened. The collaboration continues today.

“The primary objective of this long-term engagement was to combine strategic growth with operational excellence in a way that enables the controlled execution of delivery programs both today and in the future. In my role as Interim COO, working alongside with other Semat experts, I collaborated closely with the customer’s management board and key stakeholders to develop management practices, project governance, production operations, supply chain management, and product lifecycle management capabilities. Through these joint development efforts, the customer established stronger capabilities to manage growth, scale operations, and meet the demanding requirements of the defense industry. I would like to emphasize that all development work was carried out in excellent collaboration with the professionals at Milrem, and I would like to thank them for the support we received throughout the process.”

Pasi Niemi
Project Director
Semat Ltd