Design-industrialization: 3 examples of critical projects for companies

As key stages in the life cycle of a product, design and industrialization are accompanied by several major challenges for companies. Faced with regulatory, technological and environmental changes, these challenges are constantly evolving, giving rise to several projects for industry players.

Focus on 3 critical projects for the industrial sector, and the keys to managing them successfully.

 

What is design-industrialization?

Design-industrialization is the transition from an idea to a product aimed at being manufactured on a large scale. This phase of The supply chain is at the crossroads between the design phase and the industrial production phase.

• The design phase includes:
• • Ideation
  • Research and development (R&D)
  • Engineering design
  • Prototyping
  • …

It aims to define the design as well as the technical and functional specifications of the product.

• The industrial production phase includes:
  • Selection of equipment
  • Selection of equipment
  • Training of teams
  • Supplier management
  • …

This step aims to ensure series production at an optimized cost, which meets quality and compliance requirements.

3 critical design-industrialization projects

Here are 3 examples of critical design and industrialization projects that are impacting players in the manufacturing industry today:

• The transition to Industry 4.0

Faced with the rise of new technologies, it is imperative that companies take the turn towards Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, to preserve their competitiveness.

This includes the following:

• The integration of artificial intelligence tools ;
• The adoption of new technologies such as:
  • The Internet of Things (IoT);
  • 3D printing;
  • Cloud computing;
  • Smart sensors;
  • Augmented reality, 2D or 3D vision;
  • RPA (robotic process automation );
  • Big Data;
  • Production flow management software such as WMS (Warehouse Management System); ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), or MES (Manufacturing Execution System);
  • …
• The creation of warehouses 4.0, or smart factories ;
• Process automation;
• …
  

The implementation of these technological tools is fundamental to maximize the profitability of the activity, strengthen productivity, and operational efficiency and rationalize the human, material and financial resources of the company. It also significantly reduces costs, as well as production and delivery times, for Improved customer satisfaction.

According to a 2020 study by Wavestone, 86% of companies have launched projects related to Industry 4.0 and 66% of them perceive the benefits of these actions.

• Managing the environmental impact in the production chain

According to government data, industry (agri-food, construction, metallurgy, etc.) accounts for nearly 18% of carbon emissions, and is the 4th most polluting activity in the world.

Faced with these large-scale environmental issues, industry players must therefore act to limit the environmental impact of their activity. From the design phase, throughout the production cycle and up to the distribution of the product, several projects can be implemented to limit the impact of the activity on the environment:

• Develop products that respect the planet by meeting consumer expectations;

• Promote eco-design throughout the production chain to reduce the environmental impact from the ideation stage.

• Favor sustainable and recycled materials.

• Reduce carbon emissions in the processes of transport, production and storage of goods.

• Control the energy consumption of buildings and industrial sites to limit their ecological footprint.

• Favor short circuits to limit intermediaries and reduce the distances travelled.

• Working with responsible and local suppliers, in order to guarantee a more ethical production that respects environmental standards.

• …

 

• Optimization of manufacturing costs and times

To maximize the profitability of your business, another central project to be activated from the design phase is to identify the levers for optimizing manufacturing costs, without compromising the level of quality of the products.

This can be done by:

• Automating production lines to reduce labor requirements;
• Implement production management tools to minimize costly human error and reduce scrap rates;
• Use cheaper and more environmentally friendly raw materials;
• Adopt a lean manufacturing approach, to identify and eliminate sources of waste at every stage of manufacturing.
• …

In addition, to meet the ever-increasing expectations of customers, companies must constantly find ways to shorten their production times. To do this, the adoption of project management software, production management tools or automation tools is particularly beneficial. The company can also choose to adopt an agile approach, aimed at anticipating and quickly resolving blockages.

 

How to succeed in your design-industrialization project?

To succeed in your design and industrialization project, it is important to follow several key steps:

1. Analysis of the existing situation : carry out an initial inventory, aimed at analysing the current processes, their strengths, weaknesses and blocking points;

2. Definition of strategic objectives : What are the challenges associated with the project? What are the performance indicators that will make it possible to evaluate its success? What needs and objectives does the project address?

3. Implement appropriate performance indicators : customer satisfaction rate, scrap rate, production and delivery times, operational efficiency rate, etc.

4. Continuous improvement approach : the industrialization design project must also be integrated into a continuous improvement process, aimed at bringing corrective actions with regard to the results observed.

 

To succeed in your design and industrialization project, it can also be very beneficial to outsource your management to an experienced interim manager, a specialist in the industry.

Our interim management company WAYDEN offers you, for example, the services of an interim manager who is an expert in the industry (Agri-food, Construction, Aeronautics, nuclear…), highly qualified and with a strong 15 to 25 years of career in strategic positions in demanding environments.

Thanks to his cutting-edge sector expertise, his sense of leadership, his fresh perspective and his interpersonal and managerial qualities (active listening, empathy, natural authority, audacity, etc.), he will be able to manage your design-industrialization project from start to finish, with the greatest operational excellence.

 

Contact us to find out more.