These are the factories of the future and the leaders of digital production. The Best of Industry 4.0 awards have been presented.

• The Best of Industry 4.0 competition brings together leaders in digital production: companies that put the idea of ​​the factory of the future into practice and providers of innovative technological solutions.
• Representatives of leading European and Polish industry companies, leading suppliers of innovative solutions, implementation experts, business practitioners, scientists and Industry 4.0 specialists were invited to evaluate the projects submitted to the competition.
• The fact that here in Poland we can do business that is becoming technologically used all over the world is a huge advantage – Grzegorz Wrona, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, complimented the award winners during the gala concluding the first day of the New Industry Forum .

The Best of Industry 4.0 Gala concluded the first day of the New Industry Forum , which took place in Katowice on Tuesday (October 14). This year's Best of Industry 4.0 was the fourth edition of the competition, organized by the PTWP Group and the WNP website, in which leaders in digital production compete: plants implementing the idea of ​​the factory of the future in practice and manufacturers of technological solutions.

"Industrial production is changing rapidly as our entire economy undergoes digital transformation, but it must also change because Polish competitiveness is no longer determined by low labor costs or low operating costs in Poland. The time has come to compete by introducing new technologies, through automation, robotics, and the use of artificial intelligence ," emphasized Wojciech Kuśpik, president of the PTWP group, which organizes the New Industry Forum.

"The Best of Industry 4.0 competition and gala is a moment when we see that the new industry, the industry of the future, is not a theory; it's happening here and now in Polish factories, plants, and production halls. Industry 4.0 is not an alternative, it's the future," noted Aleksandra Helbin, editor-in-chief of WNP.

Representatives of leading European and Polish industry companies, leading suppliers of innovative solutions, implementation experts, business practitioners, scientists and Industry 4.0 specialists were invited to evaluate the projects submitted to the competition.

Managers thank their company employees. Important words were said about technology and transformation.

According to the jury’s verdict , the winners of the fourth edition of The Best of Industry 4.0 competition are:

In the "Production Plant" category

• Wiśniowski factories – logistics and maintenance are managed by digital systems, enabling order planning and tracking. The company utilizes advanced security systems that allow for process monitoring and immediate response in crisis situations.

"This motivates us to work even harder within the company. I dedicate this award to our clients, partners, and above all, our employees, because the strength of the Wiśniowski brand lies in its people ," said Bartłomiej Serafin, board member and director of Transport and Logistics at Wiśniowski, upon accepting the award.

• Elemental Strategic Metals (Elemental Group) – Industry 4.0 technologies are integrated into a unique management system that supports and manages production. This system includes mechanical process control systems, production process visualization, critical parameter monitoring, and cost analysis.

- This award is a great honor and confirmation that the direction we have chosen, i.e. digital transformation, sustainable management and enterprise, is a real value for the economy of the future , and plants like ours, which create strategic raw materials for the economy of the future, can also be an example of the industry of the future - said Sylwester Puczen, Head of Communication at the Elemental Group.

• Seco/Warwick – a plant using a digital twin to support modeling and testing, reducing the risk of errors and making the production and assembly process faster and more efficient. The tool is also used to test furnace automation before commissioning.

- For us, this is an award that confirms our belief in the direction we have chosen , combining technology, industry and experience - said Sławomir Wachowski, Director of the Automation and Digital Solutions Department at Seco/Warwick.

• The Tymbark – MWS plant (Maspex Group) was equipped with an automated, digital logistics center , including systems for controlling automated vehicles. Equipment monitoring the chemical composition of products on production lines was installed, as well as sterilization devices that do not require human contact. Automation resulted in increased production and process efficiency, while greenhouse gas emissions were also reduced.

"The center isn't just a building. These are systems that strongly support logistics processes. They also contain data that must be properly analyzed. These are also databases that allow us to respond very quickly to the changing market and responsibly deliver customized products to our business partners," Zbigniew Laskowski, Investment Director at the Maspex Group, described the center.

In the "Technologies" category

• Schneider Electric for Agentic AI, an ecosystem supporting sustainable development and energy management.

"This distinction confirms that integrating artificial intelligence with energy management is already impacting the operational efficiency of all companies. This isn't the future. This is what's happening now, right here, before our eyes, and it is the foundation for further efficiency gains for these companies, as well as sustainable development," said Jacek Parys, Sales Division Director at Schneider Electric.

• Fronius Polska for its line of welding optimization devices.

- This device is truly impressive, and it would seem that there is not much more that can be invented in a field such as welding - joked Maciej Piliński, CEO of Fronius Polska.

• Dematec Polska for the DNX 2100 technology, which allows for the consolidation of machining processes in one control center.

- In our extensive portfolio of over 300 machines, we are promoting this product very strongly this year - noted Rafał Korfel, regional director of Dematec Polska.

• Dassault Systèmes for its cloud-based, comprehensive 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the implementation of which supported not only the collaborative design of trains, locomotives, and trams, but also project and business process management.

"I wanted to dedicate this award to all our customers. For trusting and continuing to trust virtual twin technology. But I also dedicate this award to our employees. Especially Polish employees. Because here in Poland, we develop technologies that are used in the largest companies around the world. We are part of the 3D Experience platform, where over 250 million users use this technology daily," emphasized Ireneusz Borowski, Country Manager Poland at Dassault Systèmes.

• BSH for its Digital Factory solution based on the BSH Digital Twin, a virtual replica of the factory enabling the rapid testing of business scenarios without disrupting operations.

- Digital transformation, Industry 4.0 are important elements of our strategy, both at the global level, but also locally in Poland, and the digital factory technology based on the digital twin has revolutionized our approach to designing new workstations in our production halls - said Joanna Rojewska, Head of Operational Technic Poland BSH.

Compliments from the Deputy Minister: This is the kind of business we want

"I'd like to assure you that this is the kind of business we're after. The fact that we can run a business here in Poland that's becoming technologically viable worldwide is a huge advantage ," Grzegorz Wrona, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets, complimented the winners.