In our cover story this month Stora Enso ’ s Head of Smart Operations Marko Yli-Pietilä reveals how the innovative Scandinavian packaging company is harnessing automation to optimise overall operational efficiencies ( OEE ) and support its transformation goals with in-house concept SEEDS ( Stora Enso Design System ).

Focusing on Industry 4.0 , Salesforce General Manager Paul Smith zeroes in on the challenges faced by the sector in the UK & Ireland in closing the digital skills gap . He explains that in order to support a new era of smart manufacturing , learning and development , combined with the deployment of disruptive technologies , will be vital . Smith warns : “ The Coalition for a Digital Economy predicts that the UK could see a shortfall of 800,000 digital workers by 2020 .”

We also hear from SAS Automotive about its efforts to embrace new technologies capable of increasing operational performance across its assembly processes . “ We want to show that we ’ re 100 % available for our customers at all times ,” pledges Freddy Torres , Head of Corporate Operational Excellence . In Africa , we learn how the Nigerian Bottling Company ( a subsidiary of Coca-Cola ) is creating a sustainable and digitally interconnected supply chain .

Elsewhere in this issue , we get the lowdown from software experts Epicor on how UK manufacturers can meet the challenges posed by Brexit and Oliver Wight EAME ’ s Birgit Breitschuh offers her advice on how best to implement Integrated Business Planning ( IBP ).

Do you have a story to tell ? Email : daniel . brightmore @ bizclikmedia . com to join the conversation with Manufacturing Global .

Enjoy the issue !

Daniel Brightmore , Editor

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