Benchmark the Industry 4.0 adoption of your food company

The initial definition of Industry 4.0, presented at the Hannover Messe in 2011, focused on technological potential and innovative scenarios. Now, over a decade later, these Industry 4.0 technologies have matured, and many companies have adopted them. However, considering that previous industrial revolutions lasted between 50 and 100 years, it is clear that we are still in the early stages of this revolution. The recent rise of generative AI and its impact on food processing companies shows that Industry 4.0 is still evolving. This transformation suggests that the original definition may no longer capture its full scope.

In this series of reports, we will take you on a journey through Industry 4.0, starting with a look back at the three previous industrial revolutions to predict the future. We identify three essential building blocks required for an industrial revolution and analyze whether these are present in Industry 4.0.

In Report 1: Industry 4.0 - Part 1: criteria for an industrial revolution, we analyzed the previous three industrial revolutions and identified three criteria for an industrial revolution: technological innovation, a radical transformation in the way of working, and a radical transformation in the way of living. It is clear that we are currently in a new era of technological innovation. However, does Industry 4.0 also meet the other two criteria?  

In Report 2: Industry 4.0 - part 2: Industrial revolution or evolution?, we established that we have not yet reached the core phase of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Although the technologies are available, companies often struggle to reap the benefits, leading to a productivity paradox. Why does this happen? And what can companies do to achieve more significant results from their Industry 4.0 investments? In this report, we explain the need for paradigm shifts to overcome this productivity paradox and introduce the 10 paradigm shifts relevant to this Industry 4.0 era.