Top 5 companies that will dominate Industry 4.0 in 2025

Things to remember

• A enterprise 4.0 integrates digital technologies into its industrial processes: production, training, maintenance, quality, etc.
• L'factory 4.0 is based on automation, connected objects and data, but also on people: increased skills, cross-functionality and autonomy.
• From Siemens to Toyota documented examples of industrial 4.0 companies from which you can draw inspiration.
• L'Industry 4.0 can start with simple, concrete tools: skills matrix, digitalized instructions, versatility chart, etc.

👉 Download our free Excel skills matrix template to get started

What is Enterprise 4.0?

A production company 4.0 is an industrial organization that has integrated digital technologies at every level of its value chain.

This can be translated into :

• L'automation of certain lines or cells (robots, cobots, real-time control)
• The use of sensor data to adjust production, predict breakdowns or trace operations
• From connected employeestrained using digital tools (instructions, e-learning, skills matrices, etc.)
• More agile, cross-functional governance aligned with performance in the field

It's not necessarily an ultra-robotized factory. Above all, it's an organization more responsive, connected and learning.

1. Siemens: automation and quality excellence

Emblematic site : Siemens Electronic Works Amberg (Germany)

• Nearly 17 million products are produced each year, with a quality rate of 99,999 %
• 75 % of processes are automated
• The plant is controlled by over 2,800 PLCs on-site products

This plant produces programmable logic controllers (PLCs) - and loops them into its own operations. Siemens illustrates a logic ofintegrated self-generation : its products are used to automate its factory.

The Siemens plant in Amberg is often cited as a model ofIndustry 4.0 quality, traceability and intelligent automation.

2. Bosch: use-driven transformation

Bosch, via its industrial division Bosch Rexrothhas developed an iterative and applied approach:

• The company starts with test its technologies in its own plants
• It structures its efforts around 4 pillars connected production lines, adaptive production, operator assistance, intelligent product integration
• She launched a digital conversion program for its non-graduates, to train them for positions in IT or management

Bosch is more than just a supplier: it's a informed user of its solutions. Our approach is based on experimentation, analysis of feedback from the field, then deployment.

Bosch was also behind the first German national Industry 4.0 training program for technicians.

3. Toyota: automation at the service of people

At Toyota, robotization is not an end in itself: it must be a means to an end. increasing the human factornot replace it.

Example: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown (USA)

• Modernized plant for 1.3 billion dollarswith the integration of new robots
• Instead of cutting jobs, Toyota has recruited 700 additional staff
• Automation focuses on ergonomics, quality and reliability - but the human element remains central

Toyota sees Industry 4.0 as an opportunity a tool to assist human worknot as a complete substitution.

4. Volkswagen: customized production on an industrial scale

Volkswagen embarked on an ambitious digital transformation at a very early stage.

• 4 billion euros invested in digitalizationparticularly for production
• Objective: to enable mass customizationwithout interrupting the production line
• Unified production monitoring global digital cockpit
• Strong growth in man-machine collaboration (collaborative robots, sensors, etc.)

Volkswagen embodies a flexible plant 4.0where each workstation can adapt to the vehicle being produced, in real time.

Their promise: to produce a personalized car at the same cost than a production model, at no extra industrial cost.

5. General Electric: software architecture as a foundation

GE was a pioneer in industrial digitalization through GE Digital.

• Creation of Predixa cloud platform for industrial data
• Strong use case : Digital Windfarm → each wind turbine is simulated using a digital twin to maximize efficiency
• Large-scale analysis of production performance, maintenance and energy consumption

GE illustrates the industry's move towards a platform logic + data information-driven, rather than machine-driven.

Feedback on Predix shows strategic transition to software at GE.

How can you draw inspiration from these leaders to kick-start your own Industrie 4.0 transformation?

You too have needs in these areas:

• Manage your teams effectively
• Maintaining critical skills
• Digitizing work instructions and job training
• Versatility and agility in the face of the unexpected

Industry 4.0 starts with better visibility in the field:

• A digital skills matrix to control deviations
• A connected versatility panel to adapt your teams
• A centralized training matrix to trigger the right courses
• From standards and instructions at your fingertips

🎯 Request a free demo of Mercateam software

Mercateam helps you effectively manage skills, training, interviews and instructions in a single tool, designed to speed up your transition to the new market.industry 4.0.