What is the link between Swiss Made and Industry 4.0?

Industry 4.0 is bringing in a new era where digital technologies are central to optimizing production processes. In particular, the ongoing roll-out of artificial intelligence (AI) opens up many exciting possibilities for manufacturing in Switzerland. 

In this transformation, some companies – particularly in industrial regions like the Jura – have already embraced change. They are integrating technologies such as connected sensors and intelligent control systems to predict and prevent issues before they arise. This approach enhances product quality and reduces downtime in factories. 

At the same time, many people are concerned that it could adversely affect the perceived characteristics of “Swiss Made” products compared to the competition, since everyone can make use of the same techniques. 

When everyone already uses the same machines, does Industry 4.0 change the game again? 

How we can capitalize on our strengths 

There are three main ways we can and should build on our strengths to address this challenge: 

• We need to benefit from the heritage of Swiss Made products that guarantees quality and maximizes consumer confidence. 
• We need to identify our know-how and capture it in digital form to be able to develop it in the long term. 
• Finally, we need to capitalize on our innovation processes and make them more efficient with today’s tools, e.g. with a Knowledge Management approach. 

How to implement Industry 4.0 processes effectively

Small manufacturing runs are characteristic of the Canton of Jura and demonstrate the region’s flexibility. They also lead, however, to the downtime, issues with scheduling and additional costs that are incurred between the production of the last good part from the previous run and the first good part from the next one. Industry 4.0 tools, for example, make it possible to minimize the impact of these issues. 

There are several common issues that are encountered today in the industry, and which we are already addressing, or at least know how to approach:

In summary, people and the organization as a whole will have to change. It is necessary to develop solutions at a viable economic cost, while implementing change gradually, in stages and in cooperation with schools, the broader ecosystem, etc. We should only improve what is necessary, in a profitable manner, and avoid getting cluttered with useless gadgets. 

We encourage people to go out and exchange, share and discover what others are doing. Get inspired and make your own way. 

Personalizing the implementation of AI into our processes is key

We should keep to the Swiss Made principles to maintain buyers’ confidence in our products. But how then do we best integrate AI or Industry 4.0 technologies into an existing industrial process? 

AI, like all new tools, must remain under our full control. The approach we should take is the same for any other new tool: 

• Use AI only within a defined scope 
• Make sure to properly select and filter all the data input 
• Always keep a critical eye on the quality of the output. 

We have the know-how, and now we have AI. To be successful in implementing Industry 4.0, humans must pilot the AI and assist it to optimize itself to our needs faster and, on this basis, make impactful corrections to our processes.

Each of the parameters of a particular process are specific to the company, its know-how and its organization. Even though the tool (AI) may be the same for everyone, it is the user’s knowledge and judgment that defines the quality of the output. We feed the AI with our unique know-how and experience. As a result, everyone will end up their own “personal AI” despite starting off with the same algorithm. 

Interested in learning from nine industry experts what it takes to implement AI in manufacturing companies? Want to discover five reasons why manufacturing companies need to implement AI as soon as possible? If so, check out the summary of the 15th edition of the Technology Circle Seminar for details!