68

The Swiss giant is the world ’ s largest food and beverage company , best known for its chocolate brands ( Kit Kat ), coffee ( Nescafe ) and bottled water ( Perrier ). With global operations , digital is key to the company ’ s continued success , and it has transformed operations by digitalising supply chains and manufacturing . More recently , Nestle has been creating a competitive edge through data , artificial intelligence , automation , and predictive analytics . More than 100 of their factories are equipped with collaborative robots , for example , as facilities are scaling up IIoT with remote-sensing technologies and autonomous vehicles ( 60 of the warehouses are automated ). Nestle says this helps them “ generate efficiencies , create agility and provide new platforms for growth . The shift towards agile manufacturing also helps deliver faster innovation and supports personalisation .” It also has a Global Digital Hub in Barcelona allowing it to use AI , and a Silicon Valley Innovation Outpost to source new ideas and drive digital innovation . FEBRUARY 2021