Driving Accuracy and Efficiency with DriveWorks and SAP

Lawrence David is a UK-based manufacturer of custom trailers and vehicle bodies, building highly tailored solutions to meet specific customer requirements. With flexibility at the core of their offering, the business needed a way to maintain speed and accuracy as complexity increased — without adding pressure to engineering teams.

By implementing DriveWorks alongside SOLIDWORKS and preparing for integration with SAP, Lawrence David is transforming its design, engineering, and production processes.

The Challenge

Lawrence David’s strength lies in its ability to build bespoke vehicles. But that flexibility comes with complexity.

Each job is different, and accuracy is critical. Without reliable models and clear documentation, even small misalignments can lead to delays on the shop floor.

Historically, the business relied on a legacy system dating back to the 1970s. While effective in its time, it required manual updates and offered limited visibility for production teams. Shop floor operatives often worked from basic drawings that represented stages of a build, rather than a complete, accurate view of the final product.

This created several challenges:

• Limited visual guidance for manufacturing teams
• Manual processes increasing the risk of errors
• Difficulty validating designs before production
• A system dependent on a single specialist nearing retirement

At the same time, the business was preparing to move to a new ERP system. Their existing “flat” bill of materials structure was not compatible with the multi-level approach required, creating a clear need for change.

The Solution

To address these challenges, Lawrence David implemented DriveWorks to automate and standardise its design processes, fully integrated with SOLIDWORKS and aligned with future ERP requirements.

DriveWorks enables the team to create configurable, rules‑based models that can be adapted to meet specific customer needs — while maintaining accuracy and consistency.

Instead of relying on manual updates and fragmented documentation, the business can now:

• Generate accurate, job‑specific drawings for every project
• Validate designs using simulation and modelling before production
• Create structured, multi‑level bills of materials aligned with ERP needs
• Maintain flexibility while introducing standardisation

Crucially, DriveWorks mirrors elements of their existing rule‑based logic, making it easier to transition from legacy systems while improving capability over time.

The implementation also provided an opportunity to review and refine over 30 years of organically developed design processes. By capturing this knowledge in a structured, rules‑driven environment, the team can now test, validate, and evolve their workflows more effectively.

Implementation Approach

Initially, Lawrence David planned to use consultancy support for both development and design work. However, due to the specialist nature of their products, they shifted to a more collaborative model.

Through regular sessions with a DriveWorks consultant, the team built internal capability while receiving guidance on best practice. This approach ensured that the resulting system was both technically robust and practically usable on the shop floor.

While the implementation required a significant investment of time, the team recognised this as a necessary step to unlock long‑term efficiency gains.

The Results

Although the project is ongoing, Lawrence David is already seeing clear benefits:

Improved accuracy and visibility

Engineers and shop floor teams now have access to clear, detailed models and drawings, reducing ambiguity and improving build quality.

Faster turnaround times

Standard jobs, which previously took several days, are expected to be reduced to as little as one day by automating internal processes and reducing delays between departments.

Greater efficiency across teams

By streamlining workflows and reducing manual intervention, teams can handle multiple jobs in parallel without increasing workload.

Enhanced training and knowledge sharing

DriveWorks models provide a valuable training tool for both new starters and experienced engineers, helping to build understanding and retain knowledge across the team.

Stronger sales support

By building a tailored CRM‑style interface within DriveWorks, sales teams can present customers with visual models and examples, reducing misunderstandings and improving quote conversion rates.

SAP ERP readiness

With structured, multi‑level bills of materials, the business is now aligned with the requirements of its new ERP system, enabling smoother integration and better data flow.

Looking Ahead

For Lawrence David, DriveWorks is more than a design automation tool — it’s a foundation for long‑term transformation.

By connecting design, engineering, sales, and production through a single, configurable system, the business is creating a more efficient, scalable operation.

The focus now is on continuing to refine workflows, expand automation, and ensure adoption across all departments.

Advice to Others

“Start with a clear plan, secure buy‑in across the organisation, and commit the time needed to see results.

The investment may be significant upfront — but the long‑term gains in efficiency, accuracy, and scalability make it worthwhile.”