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8th Manufacturing Forum, the sector's main event, brings together leaders in São Paulo to discuss digitalization strategies, operational efficiency and management transformation.
The 8th Manufacturing Forum began today, August 26th, at the Novotel São Paulo Center Norte, in São Paulo. This event is recognized as the main meeting of the sector in the country, attracting leaders of national and international companies, together with representatives of entities. The main objective is to discuss topics relevant to the continuous improvement of performance within manufacturing.
The Manufacturing Forum will continue until tomorrow, providing a crucial space for exchanging ideas and strategies focused on digitalization and operational efficiency. Experts will share insights on how to optimize production processes, make manufacturing more competitive and evolve within the industrial sector. This meeting is a unique opportunity for those who want to be at the forefront of transformation in the industry.
Opening ceremony highlights the industrial sector
During the opening ceremony, Celia Queiroz, director of Dialogia, organizer of the event, highlighted the importance of the topics covered at the forum. 'Our objective here is to disseminate information and expand knowledge to encourage the development of the industrial sector,' explained Celia, reinforcing the challenges that companies have faced.
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Beckhoff Automation lecture
Beckhoff Automation Marcos Giorjiani, director of Beckhoff Automação, addressed the topic 'What is the best strategy to digitalize and chart a path to industry 4.0' in his opening lecture. He highlighted the need to industries adopt digitalization strategies to ensure a smooth transition to Industry 4.0.
According to Giorjiani, by adopting PC-based control and EtherCAT technology, companies can achieve operational efficiency, improving its competitiveness and preparing for future manufacturing challenges. These actions redefine smart manufacturing efficiency standards, resulting in reduced hardware operating costs, in addition to simplifying engineering and maintenance.
This solution provides a fast and versatile control system, ensuring agile responses to current market demands.
Opening panel brings together experts from the industrial sector
Opening Panel The inaugural panel, entitled 'Prospecting, strategic model and operation aligned to ensure safe, balanced and competitive production management', featured the participation of Giane Fonseca, South America Head of Stellantis Production Way at Stellantis; Shirley Meschke, International Markets Legal Lead for Pricing & Access at Pfizer; and Stella Natrielli, COO of Camil Alimentos, with Romeu Vale, member of the Advisory Board, as mediator.
Porsche Consulting's Order-to-Delivery methodology
Porsche Consulting In the presentation 'Boosting Order-to-Delivery Excellence | The Porsche Way', Rüdiger Leutz, CEO, and Fabricio Sousa, partner at Porsche Consulting, introduced the Order-to-Delivery methodology. This methodology directs manufacturing towards flexibility and product customization requirements, enabling a stable and profitable operating model.
As highlighted, Order-to-Delivery is a company's core end-to-end cross-functional business process that meets customer needs in the most efficient and flexible way possible. The interaction between sales, production, logistics, purchasing, finance and development is crucial. However, companies across industries face similar challenges related to delivery performance.
A survey by Porsche Consulting revealed that 48% of companies want shorter delivery times, while 19% of customers are dissatisfied with on-time deliveries. Furthermore, up to 12% of annual revenue is lost due to internal difficulties and turmoil resulting from process inefficiencies. There is a widespread complaint about ineffective decision-making among process partners, especially in the case of sales, production and purchasing.
Artificial Intelligence in industrial cybersecurity
Westcon Networks, Connectivity and Industrial Cybersecurity Alexandre de Oliveira, Commercial Manager at Westcon Networks, Connectivity and Industrial Cybersecurity, addressed the topic 'AI x AI; Artificial Intelligence in OT Cybersecurity x Malicious Artificial Intelligence'. In the presentation, he emphasized that technology and industrial connectivity are transforming production and business. However, this transformation increases the exposure of industrial systems to new cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
The situation is even more critical with the increasing use of artificial intelligence by criminals to coordinate attacks. To fully benefit from digitized factories and processes, ensuring the cybersecurity of automation and control systems is essential, including using AI to combat cyber threats.
Generative AI in Manufacturing
Venturus João Maia, director of AI strategies at Venturus, a developer of technological solutions, discussed in the lecture 'Self-service generative AI in manufacturing: you can use it now', how the creation of LLMs (Large Language Models) empowered users. According to Maia, it is no longer necessary to use different tools to capture, understand and transform data into meaningful information.
This AI not only reduces bureaucratic tasks, but is also an engine for creating competitive differences. Understanding Generative AI will bring valuable insights into productive optimization, and will be a crucial factor in designing short and medium-term strategies.
Customer centricity and digital transformation
Baldan Implements Leandro Bacic Fernandes, director of customer centricity and digital transformation at Baldan Implementos, focused on understanding the customer in the lecture 'Manufacturing, digital transformation, innovation and customer centricity'. He highlighted that technological evolution transforms data into information, and this is the secret of artificial intelligence.
Fernandes questioned whether we really know how to use the platforms with the correct questions. This is a crucial point in getting the right answers and providing the efficiency the customer wants.
Quality Culture at Constanta Industrial
Constanta Industrial Cristina Moraes, quality director at Constanta Industrial, spoke about 'Quality as an organization's strategy to achieve objectives', exploring a success story from Constanta. According to her, the company has developed a Quality Culture at all levels, from the factory floor to executive-level decision-making.
Quality within manufacturing is not restricted to production; She guides good People Management practices and customer relationships, Cristina added. This contributes to employee engagement and the achievement of organizational objectives, which range from increased revenue to brand appreciation and strategic future partnerships.
Transformation for management at Açotubo
steel tube Luiz Fernandes, director of industrial operations at Açotubo, gave the lecture 'The role of leadership in the transformation to management through Value Stream'. He highlighted the need to understand department structure models (silos), which generally have interfaces limited to the closest silos. However, from the customer's point of view, the company is seen as a whole.
Fernandes exemplified this approach to the public with a company that manufactures valves for car engines, motorcycles and generators, highlighting the key processes for managing each Value Stream.
Decarbonization and low carbon economy
Veolia Brazil Decarbonization was the theme of the lecture 'Decarbonization in industry – how to be competitive in the low-carbon economy', given by José Renato Bruzadin, director of industrial business development at Veolia Brasil. He highlighted that Brazilian industry faces challenges to be competitive, not just due to deforestation.
For example, Bruzadin pointed out the dependence on fossil sources and the difficulties in decarbonizing certain industrial activities, even with 90% of Brazil's electrical energy matrix being renewable. He also cited costs, the need for training, innovation and uncertainties in the carbon market. However, he noted that there are energy sources to be explored and the development of new technologies.
Vesuvius Global Automation Benchmarks
Vesuvius In his speech on 'Benchmark of a global automation project', Vasco Esteves, director of M&T at Vesuvius, highlighted cases and best practices in engineering for customers in the steel and foundry industries. 'It is essential to integrate engineering services and solutions to face the challenges of the industrial sector,' stated Esteves.
Complexity in industrial operations
Dassault Systemes Luiz Egreja, senior client executive at Dassault Systemes, addressed the growing complexity in industrial operations in his talk 'How to deal with complexity in industrial operations'. He explained that the proliferation of new products, the supply chain and the lack of Human Resources directly impact operations.
This increase in complexity affects all areas of companies, from marketing to Human Resources. It is crucial to provide some ideas and recommendations to avoid negative impacts on the operations and finances of manufacturing companies.
AI and production planning
Compass UOL In the presentation 'Optimizing Processes and Innovating with Artificial Intelligence in Production Planning', Thiago Fortunato, senior manager of AI and Emerging Technologies, highlighted how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing production planning in industries globally.
The use of predictive and analytical models allows processing large volumes of data, optimizing processes, reducing waste and improving product quality. This technological advancement is crucial to increasing efficiency and competitiveness in the industrial sector.
Order-to-Delivery Methodology at Porsche
It was emphasized that interaction between the different areas of the company is fundamental to the success of the Order-to-Delivery methodology. Delivery issues affect up to 48% of companies, while 19% of customers report dissatisfaction with punctuality. Furthermore, internal turmoil results in the loss of up to 12% of annual revenue.
AI in manufacturing: practical uses
iApp Luiz Eduardo Zavarize, CEO of iApp, presented 'Transforming Production Planning with AI: In practice with iApp-PCP'. He explained how the iApp-PCP application works and its importance in modern industry, addressing how AI can plan production, control stocks and predict demands.
The application of AI through iApp-PCP software provides a transformative overview of the capabilities of modern manufacturing.
Next steps in manufacturing
CNI Jefferson de Oliveira Gomes, director of innovation at the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), brought a panoramic view of the industry in the lecture 'What is the next step in strategic manufacturing and production systems'. It is noted that the world population is aging rapidly, which represents a challenge in keeping up with the evolution of Industry 4.0.
In this way, the manufacturing forum becomes even more relevant, aiming to contribute to the development of the industrial sector in a comprehensive manner.
Final event panels
The closing panels addressed essential topics such as ESG and innovation. In the panel 'ESG x production x innovation', participants debated whether the priority of ESG hinders or enhances innovation and productivity. In the second panel, 'The next 5 years: what to expect from Brazilian industry and how to prepare your company', experts discussed the future of the industrial sector and strategies needed to adapt to the next challenges.
Source: © Zulmira Felicio
