Creating the Factories of the Future

German experience with digitalization and building strategies for smart factories

Expectations are high for tomorrow’s manufacturing: factories must be smart, changeable, efficient and sustainable. Industry 4.0 stands for an intelligent networking of product development, production, logistics and customers. The transformation towards smart factories fails by many barriers, but especially by building solid strategies. The focus of this presentation are strategies on building smart factories. It covers the definition and maturity grades of smart factories, as well as the basic technology to get to the first level: digitalization. Questions the presentation deals with are: What are the steps in creating a strategy for digitalization and building smart factories? What are the success factors?

 

Marco Kayser CV

Marco Kayser holds a Master’s Degree in Technology Management from Stuttgart University with a focus on Technology Management and Organization. He works as Project Manager at the Competence Center R&D Management of the Fraunhofer IAO since 2015. Before his employment at Fraunhofer he worked in the production and R&D departments of reputable German car manufacturers and in the area of technology and innovation management for a leading mechatronics company. He is an expert for R&D-Management including strategic foresight, auditing of R&D areas, process management as well as technology management for smart products and smart manufacturing (“Industry 4.0”). His experience covers sectors such as automotive, white good sector, machinery, semi-conductors, electronics, automation and tooling industry.

Jonathan Masior CV

Jonathan Masior holds a Diploma of Engineering Degree in Technology Management from Stuttgart University with a focus on Technology and Research and Development Management. He works as Senior Researcher and Project Manager at the Competence Center R&D Management of the Fraunhofer IAO since 2013. Before his employment at Fraunhofer he worked in the Software Development and Technology Management of a German Specialist for innovation management with great expertise in patent management. He is an expert for R&D-Management including strategic foresight and process management as well as innovative IT-systems in product development including PLM solutions. His experience covers sectors such as automotive, white good sector, machinery, medical technologies, and tooling industry.