With many organisations stuck in pilot purgatory , how do global lighthouse companies come out from the shadows of outdated working models and insufficient innovation ?

McKinsey explains that the answer is twofold : agility and workforce development . By adopting these ways of working , organisations can harness the value that Industry 4.0 ( 4IR ) technologies provide - productivity gains , new revenue streams , and flexible production systems - for long term business growth .

So why should companies fully embrace agile ways of working ? Lighthouse organisations that have fully embraced agile ways of working have allowed for rapid scaling of 4IR technologies across production networks and value chains to maximise flexibility , adaptability and a dynamic approach .

Okay , so why is workforce development a key component ? By training , reskilling , and upskilling employees lighthouse organisations have prepared and optimised their workforce in the 4IR environment . Keeping people at the centre of a 4IR transformations allows organisations to realise their full potential to build an innovative and creative future .

� GENERAL MOTORS AND LG ENERGY SOLUTIONS General Motors & LG Energy Solution , via their joint venture - Ultium Cells LLC - announce investment plans of over US $ 2.3bn to build a second battery cell manufacturing plant .

� BATTERY RESOURCERS Lithium-ion battery recycling and manufacturing startup - Battery Resourcers - raised US $ 20mn in its Series B equity round , which will support the development of a commercialscale processing facility .

( REGION ) WESTERN EUROPE With 17 projects and a value of US $ 9.1bn , Western Europe holds the biggest global share of investment into battery manufacturing projects ( 43 %).

� EVERGREEN Evergreen ’ s Ever Given container ship has been impounded by Egyptian authorities in Ismailia , seeking legal action for the cost of the salvage operation and lost transit fees . Figures reported at US $ 900mn .

� CHINA ASSOCIATION OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS ( CAAM ) China Association of Automobile Manufacturers ( CAAM ) predicts automotive sales in China to drop by 8 % as a result of slowing economic growth and tighter vehicle emissions standards .

JUN21

manufacturingglobal . com 9