Australian heritage footwear and apparel brand RM Williams has successfully implemented Centric PLM to improve collaboration across teams, streamline product development processes, and establish a unified foundation for product data management as the company expands internationally. The deployment marks a significant step in RM Williams’s digital transformation strategy, enabling the company to centralize workflows and improve visibility across product creation, sourcing, manufacturing, and retail operations. The project was completed within the planned scope and budget, with the company reporting a smooth transition to the new platform.
Centric Software, a provider of AI-powered enterprise solutions for product lifecycle management and retail operations, announced the successful go-live as part of its growing portfolio of global fashion, footwear, and lifestyle brands adopting integrated digital product development systems. Founded in 1932, RM Williams is widely recognized for its handcrafted leather boots and belts produced in Adelaide, South Australia. Over the decades, the company has expanded into a broader portfolio that includes apparel, accessories, and footwear for men, women, and children. Today, the brand operates 65 retail stores across Australia in addition to locations in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, supported by more than 900 stockists worldwide and a global e-commerce presence.
As the company accelerated international growth and diversified its product categories, RM Williams identified the need for stronger governance over product information, standardized data practices, and improved cross-functional coordination. These priorities led to the adoption of Centric PLM as a centralized platform capable of integrating with the company’s broader technology ecosystem, including enterprise resource planning systems and downstream operational platforms.
Louise Peck, Head of Product and Design Operations at RM Williams, said the company selected Centric Software because of its proven experience in the fashion and footwear sectors, practical implementation methodology, and understanding of industry workflows. According to Ms Peck, the implementation represents more than a technology upgrade. She explained that the project is helping establish greater confidence in product data and enabling teams across the organization to work from a consistent and trusted source of information.
Ms Peck added that the initiative supports the company’s sustainability framework, “Crafting a Better Future,” by creating more transparency and accountability throughout the product development lifecycle. The centralized system is expected to improve long-term scalability while helping the business maintain operational consistency as it grows globally.
A major focus of the implementation was ensuring the platform aligned with RM Williams’s distinctive Australian manufacturing operations. Centric Software adapted its standard framework to accommodate the brand’s production requirements and data structures while preserving industry best practices. The project also emphasized active collaboration between both organizations to tailor workflows and processes to the company’s operational model.
The deployment now supports the company’s Core collection as well as seasonal SS28 product ranges through an end-to-end PLM process. The new system replaces disconnected spreadsheets and siloed workflows with shared processes and unified product data accessible across departments.
RM Williams reports that one of the most immediate benefits has been improved collaboration between Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Buying, and Garment Technology teams. By creating alignment around common data standards and workflows, the company expects to achieve stronger decision-making, improved efficiency, and faster coordination across the business.
Centric Software CEO Fabrice Canonge said the implementation demonstrates how established global brands are modernizing product development to support future growth. He noted that RM Williams is building a strong digital foundation that combines heritage craftsmanship with modern operational capabilities.
Centric Software’s solutions are recognized for their fast deployment, high user engagement, and measurable business impact. Trusted by leading companies worldwide, Centric consistently ranks at the top of industry reports for innovation, customer satisfaction, and return on investment.
