2017 Yearly Overview | Prysmian Group

47 In 2017, the Group launched its first Factory 4.0 pilot project – ‘Fast Track’ – at the optical cable plant in Calais, France. It represents a step towards creating smarter plants by leveraging the integration of digital skills and people’s know-how. Project partner Dassault Systèmes has allowed Prysmian to leverage on the best applications in the sector, created specifically for the use of IoT technologies at the forefront of production processes and for the analysis of Big Data. The pilot will also allow us to develop more extensive plans aimed at progressively installing Factory 4.0 solutions in all 82 plants worldwide. “Industry 4.0 is a transformational opportunity that allows us to streamline the way we work and support a sustainable use of resources.” Andrea Pirondini Chief Operating Officer best from state-of-the-art technology, but the chance to move forward fast enough to enhance our competitive edge”. A Fast Track pilot project has already begun in Prysmian’s Calais plant – a beacon of organisation and efficiency in the Group – and will provide the benchmark model for progressively deploying Factory 4.0 solutions, including increased automation and digitalisation, across all facilities worldwide. Stefano Brandinali notes that "the Fast Track project – and all other similar initiatives – could be used to schedule machine maintenance, making our plants safer and more efficient, and showing any deviation at a very early stage". At Prysmian, Brandinali continues, “we are changing our approach to problems and critical issues, by preventing them from occurring rather than just reacting to them”. According to Brandinali, “technology will be key, particularly the use of IoT among other innovations”. PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHED