“We must address the difficulties that SMEs, particularly micro-enterprises and those in specific supply chains, face in sustaining investment in innovation, as well as in identifying the public or private entities to turn to for their technological and digital innovation needs. It is therefore necessary to take action in the design of national and regional calls for tenders, ensuring they effectively support the dissemination of technological and innovative development models”.

These words from Vice President Andrea Dell’Orto marked the beginning of the extensive process that led Assolombarda Confindustria Milano Monza e Brianza to present a position paper on Industry 4.0 on 15 November 2016.

The 10-month process began in January 2016 with the establishment of a new area within the organisation dedicated to Industry and Innovation, with the aim of providing concrete support to companies wishing to pursue the Industry 4.0 path.

This journey has led us to meet over 2,000 people and visit more than 70 leading companies in these fields across Italy and the world.

To demonstrate that this is a radical process of change involving everyone, we have decided to share the experiences of companies that are currently facing, or have already faced, the challenges brought about by digital transformation. The entrepreneurs themselves will tell us how they have overcome this challenge or how they intend to do so in the coming years.

To begin with, here is what entrepreneurs have told us about their vision of Industry 4.0

Read the press release 'Assolombarda presents its Industry 4.0 Plan: making Lombardy the hub of Industry 4.0'.