The ongoing digital transformation represents a pivotal opportunity for SMEs to boost their competitiveness, enhance operational efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable economy. Co-organised by DIGITAL SME and European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, this session provided a platform for connecting digital solution providers with companies from the manufacturing and logistics sectors – each facing unique challenges in their operational landscapes.

In manufacturing, digital solutions can enhance production efficiency and reduce downtime, while logistics technologies like real-time tracking, automated inventory management, and route optimisation are revolutionising supply chains, resulting in significant cost savings and better delivery performance. By addressing the specific needs of both sectors, this B2B matchmaking event highlighted the tangible benefits of digitalisation and explored rising opportunities for SMEs in this field.

During the first part of the event, participants heard success stories from peers who have effectively implemented digital solutions and engaged with leading experts providing insights into the latest technologies and their practical applications. In the 1-2-1 matchmaking session, digital solution providers demonstrated how their tools and platforms can be tailored to meet the digitalisation needs of manufacturing and logistics companies.

Through insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing, the event not only showcased the transformative power of digitalisation but also provided participants with hands-on experience on how these innovative solutions can be seamlessly integrated into business operations, driving efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Report: Strategic insights into the EU’s Advanced Manufacturing Industry

Slides

Automation and Robotics:

• Cobots (Collaborative Robots): Affordable, flexible robotic solutions that can work alongside humans in production lines.
• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs): Essential for streamlining material handling in warehouses.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT):

• Predictive Maintenance: Leveraging IoT data to predict equipment failures before they occur, reducing repair costs and downtime.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems:

• Cloud-based ERP tailored for SMEs: Provides real-time visibility into production, inventory, and financials, helping SMEs optimize their operations.
• Integration with logistics management tools: Enhances tracking, forecasting, and overall supply chain efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning:

• AI-driven Demand Forecasting: Helps predict demand more accurately, leading to better production planning and inventory management.
• Process Optimization Algorithms: Utilizing machine learning to optimize workflows and production processes, reducing waste and increasing throughput.

Supply Chain Digitization:

• Blockchain for Transparency: To ensure traceability across supply chains, SMEs can leverage blockchain technologies.
• Digital Twin Technology: Creating virtual replicas of physical assets to simulate and improve supply chain performance.