The World Economic Forum has officially re-cognised the Sandvik Coromant production unit in Gimo (Sweden) as an advanced Industry 4.0 facility.

The plant has been declared a ‘lighthouse’ site — namely, one that comprehensively deploys a wide range of Industry 4.0 technologies while keeping people and sustainability at the heart of innovation.

Through its announcement, the World Economic Forum is acknowledging the strides that the world’s best manufacturers are making towards leveraging the technologies of Industry 4.0 into modern production.

Each ‘lighthouse’ is selected from a survey of over 1,000 manufacturing sites, based on their success in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies and demonstrating tangible benefits.

According to the World Economic Forum’s announcement, the Gimo facility “has created a digital thread through its production processes that has significantly raised labour productivity.

One example is its ‘touchless change-over’ which allows design patterns to be changed automatically, even during un-manned shifts.”

Sandvik Coromant (www.sandvik.coromant.com) president Nadine Crauwels said: “Having our Gimo production unit listed as a ‘lighthouse’ not only demonstrates true performance and increased competitiveness but — just as important — shows sustainability at the heart of innovation.”