The coronavirus outbreak in the Czech Republic has accelerated digitization and confirmed that Industry 4.0 offers the optimal solution for the "new normal". At the same time (according to the Analysis of Czech Industry from September 2020) more than half of companies do not have a digital strategy in place. Small and medium-sized companies in particular do not have plans in this area. The ecosystem, expertise and services provided by the National Center for Industry 4.0 can effectively help companies.
"Each of our partners has its unique and specific needs, so it is generally not possible to state one main reason why they come to us. However, all of them are united by high quality, interest in Industry 4.0 and a desire to participate not only in their own development and growth, but also in the prosperity of the ecosystem as such, ”explains Jaroslav Lískovec, Director of the National Center for Industry 4.0. "Thanks to the membership of industry associations such as the Association of the Chemical Industry, the Czech Association of Interim Management or the Association of the Defense and Security Industry, we are also expanding the scope of our activities to specific segments. These associations provide partners with unique know-how, "adds Lískovec.
The automotive industry is undergoing a fundamental structural transformation, an integral part of which is, among other things, considerable pressure on production efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the topics of digitization, automation or implementation of elements of Industry 4.0 across the entire automotive supply chain. Only investment in innovation, as well as in education and training for new employee qualifications, will help the Czech Republic maintain its privileged position in global automotive supply chains, "says Zdeněk Petzl, CEO of the Automotive Industry Association, adding:" If we want In order for the Czechia to move towards higher value-added production, we must look for practical models of cooperation between business and academia; thus the synergy that the National Center for Industry 4.0 offers. We are therefore very pleased to be newly involved in the centre's activities as representatives of one of the most important industries. One of the first tasks is a joint investigation of digital maturity in our member companies, on the basis of which we will then be able to propose further steps to help build the innovation potential of Czech automotive suppliers. "
“Innovation, technology and artificial intelligence, combined with knowledge of a specific industry, is the primary driver of change that can move the Czech industry to the forefront of its field. We feel that together with the National Center for Industry 4.0 and other partners we are able to achieve this goal, ”says Milan Kulhánek, partner, Deloitte Advisory.
In 2020, the center offered a new service in the field of digital maturity assessment - an effective tool for setting a digital strategy, especially suitable for SMEs, the first online part of which is available free of charge. In September, it organized the largest meeting of industry leaders, academies and government representatives - the National Industrial Summit. The center organizes professional training and seminars, publishes a professional Bulletin or helps to implement tailor-made solutions, e.g. through testbeds for Industry 4.0.
Last year, the center confirmed the importance of a functional ecosystem in industry by helping to connect the academic and industrial sectors from idea to implementation and certification in the development of the CIIRC RP-95 protective mask in record time. Data for 3D printing was downloaded by more than 100 companies in 30 countries around the world, and through the TRIX Connections academic startup, the mask went further into series production. The partners of the center were also involved in all phases.
New partners of the centre for the second half of 2020 (by level of partnership)
National partner: AutoSAP
Partner: Deloitte Advisory s.r.o.
Asociated partner: Leuze Engineering Czech s. r. o.
Atos IT Solutions and Services, s. r. o.
Member: Kooperace.cz, s. r. o.,
PRK Partners s. r. o.
Radalytica a. s.
Novicom, s.r.o.
ČEZ Distribuce
Cooperating partner:
Asociace obranného a bezpečnostního průmyslu ČR - the Association of the Defense and Security Industry
Svaz chemického průmyslu České republiky, z. s. - Association of the Chemical Industry
Česká asociace interim managementu, z. s. - Czech Association of Interim Management
Overview of all partners: https://www.ncp40.cz/partneri