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8th Manufacturing Forum, the Main Event in the Sector, Brings Together Leaders in São Paulo to Discuss Digitalization Strategies, Operational Efficiency, and Transformation for Management.
The 8th Manufacturing Forum started today, August 26, at Novotel São Paulo Center Norte, in São Paulo. This event is recognized as the main gathering of the sector in the country, attracting leaders from national and international companies, along with representatives from various entities. The main objective is to discuss relevant topics for the continuous improvement of performance within manufacturing.
The Manufacturing Forum will continue until tomorrow, providing a crucial space for the exchange of 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 wish to be at the forefront of transformation in the industry.
Opening Ceremony Highlights the Industrial Sector
During the inaugural ceremony, Celia Queiroz, director of Dialogia, the event organizer, highlighted the importance of the topics discussed at the forum. ‘Our goal here is to disseminate information and expand knowledge to foster the development of the industrial sector,’ explained Celia, reinforcing the challenges that companies have been facing.
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With 74% of companies facing difficulties in hiring, technicians and engineers in renewable energy are becoming scarce in Brazil and are essential to support the expansion of solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.
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Historic bankruptcy of Centauro shocks the market, and the century-old company puts more than 500,000 products, machines, and complete infrastructure up for online auction.
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Oncorp wins auction and enables biodiesel and gas thermal plants in Brazil, with strategic projects in Suape and Xavantes Aruanã.
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New shoe factory in Ceará is expected to create 400 jobs and strengthen the local economy.
Beckhoff Automation Lecture
Beckhoff Automation Marcos Giorjiani, director of Beckhoff Automation, addressed the topic ‘What is the Best Strategy for Digitalizing and Charting a Path to Industry 4.0?’ in his keynote lecture. He emphasized the need for industries to 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, enhancing their competitiveness and preparing for future challenges in manufacturing. These actions redefine the standards of efficiency in smart manufacturing, resulting in reduced operational costs with hardware, as well as 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, titled ‘Prospecting, Strategic Model, and Operations Aligned to Ensure Safe, Balanced, and Competitive Production Management’, featured 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, Advisory Board member, serving as mediator.
The Order-to-Delivery Methodology from Porsche Consulting
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 operational model.
As highlighted, the Order-to-Delivery is the main cross-functional business process from end to end of a company 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 all sectors face similar challenges related to delivery performance.
A survey by Porsche Consulting revealed that 48% of companies desire shorter delivery times, while 19% of customers are dissatisfied with delivery punctuality. Furthermore, up to 12% of annual revenue is lost due to internal difficulties and turmoil resulting from inefficiencies in processes. There is widespread complaint about ineffectiveness in 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 of Westcon Networks, Connectivity, and Industrial Cybersecurity, addressed the theme ‘AI vs. AI; Artificial Intelligence in OT Cybersecurity vs. 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 growing use of artificial intelligence by criminals to coordinate attacks. To fully benefit from digitalized 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 technology solutions developer, discussed in the lecture ‘Self-Service Generative AI in Manufacturing: You Can Use It Right Now’ how the creation of LLMs (Large Language Models) has empowered users. According to Maia, it is no longer necessary to use various tools to capture, understand, and transform data into meaningful information.
This AI not only reduces bureaucratic tasks but also serves as a driver for creating competitive advantages. Understanding Generative AI will bring valuable insights into productive optimization and will be a crucial factor in shaping short- and medium-term strategies.
Customer Centricity and Digital Transformation
Baldan Implements Leandro Bacic Fernandes, Director of Customer Centricity and Digital Transformation at Baldan Implements, 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 that is the secret of artificial intelligence.
Fernandes questioned whether we truly know how to use the platforms with the correct questions. This is a crucial point to obtain the right answers and provide the efficiency that the customer desires.
Quality Culture at Constanta Industrial
Constanta Industrial Cristina Moraes, Quality Director at Constanta Industrial, spoke about ‘Quality as the Organization’s Strategy to Achieve Objectives’, exploring a successful case from Constanta. According to her, the company developed a Quality Culture at all levels, from the shop floor to executive decision-making.
Quality within manufacturing is not restricted to production; it also guides good practices in People Management and customer relationships, Cristina added. This contributes to employee engagement and achieving organizational objectives that range from revenue growth to brand value and future strategic partnerships.
Transformation for Management at Açotubo
Açotubo Luiz Fernandes, Director of Industrial Operations at Açotubo, delivered the lecture ‘The Role of Leadership in Transformation for Management through Value Stream.’ He emphasized the need to understand the structure models of departments (silos), which usually have interfaces limited to the closest silos. However, from the customer’s perspective, the company is seen as a whole.
Fernandes exemplified this approach to the audience with a company that manufactures valves for car, motorcycle, and generator engines, highlighting the key processes for managing each Value Stream.
Decarbonization and Low Carbon Economy
Veolia Brasil Decarbonization was the theme of the lecture ‘Decarbonization in Industry – How to be Competitive in the Low Carbon Economy’, presented by José Renato Bruzadin, Director of Industrial Business Development at Veolia Brasil. He highlighted that the Brazilian industry faces challenges to be competitive, not only due to deforestation.
For instance, 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 mentioned costs, the need for skills development, innovation, and uncertainties in the carbon market. However, he noted that there are energy sources to be explored and the development of new technologies.
Global Automation Benchmarks from Vesuvius
Vesuvius In his speech about ‘Benchmark of a Global Automation Project’, Vasco Esteves, Director of M&T at Vesuvius, highlighted cases and best practices in engineering for clients in the steel and foundry industries. ‘It is essential to integrate services and engineering solutions to face the challenges of the industrial sector,’ asserted Esteves.
Complexity in Industrial Operations
Dassault Systemes Luiz Egreja, senior client executive at Dassault Systemes, addressed the growing complexity in industrial operations in his lecture ‘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 worldwide.
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 for increasing efficiency and competitiveness in the industrial sector.
Order-to-Delivery Methodology at Porsche
It was emphasized that interaction between various areas of the company is fundamental to the success of the Order-to-Delivery methodology. Delivery problems 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 inventories, and forecast demands.
The application of AI through the iApp-PCP software provides a transforming 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), provided 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 global population is aging rapidly, which presents a challenge to keep up with the evolution of Industry 4.0.
Thus, the manufacturing forum becomes even more relevant, aiming to contribute to the comprehensive development of the industrial sector.
Final Panels of the Event
The closing panels addressed essential topics such as ESG and innovation. In the panel ‘ESG vs. Production vs. Innovation’, participants debated whether ESG priorities hinder or enhance innovation and productivity. In the second panel, ‘The Next 5 Years: What to Expect from the Brazilian Industry and How to Prepare Your Company,’ experts discussed the future of the industrial sector and necessary strategies to adapt to upcoming challenges.
Source: © Zulmira Felicio
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