Latest news with #AlexanderClausbruch
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Built To Assist: The New Industrial Role Of Robotics
Alexander Clausbruch, CEO North America, Radix, offering operational excellence for asset-intensive industries. As industries advance deeper into digitization, a world where robots are woven into the fabric of everyday operations is no longer science fiction. The age of the ubiquitous 'automated helper' is already here. Today, there are approximately 162 robots per 10,000 employees worldwide. As we step into the era of Industry 5.0, mass robotic power is poised to bridge labor shortages, mitigate safety risks and ease operational pressures. In the U.S., 70% of businesses are looking to bring production closer to home, with robotic automation and workforce upskilling identified as essential components of this transition, according to EY. Globally, 53% of manufacturers are in the early stages of adopting new industrial robot hardware, while 28% already have industrial robots deployed within their facilities, according to ABI Research, which surveyed companies across the U.S., Germany and Malaysia. Helping Hands Fully autonomous refineries may still be on the horizon, but companies are already deploying robotics to preserve older assets, modernize operations and supercharge efficiency. This shift is being driven by multiple pressures: aging infrastructure across manufacturing, energy and heavy industry; the high cost and long lead times of greenfield projects; supply chain volatility; and growing regulatory and ESG demands. On the ground, we're seeing tangible adoption of robotics and automation in industrial sectors. For example, robotic welders are doing shifts on production lines while inspection drones and automated cleaning systems are improving safety and efficiency in hazardous environments. In logistics, mobile robots are increasingly being used to optimize handling and reduce manual strain. Meanwhile, sensor-integrated machines are running predictive maintenance strategies that help reduce unplanned downtime. Semi-autonomous control systems are also gaining traction, facilitating the remote operation of critical assets and plants and enabling safer, more flexible industrial operations. Digital technologies are increasingly being layered onto automation platforms to unlock further efficiencies. These include energy optimization, mass balance, advanced process control and real-time operational data integration. The result is not just enhanced productivity, but a new era of more adaptive, resilient and intelligent industrial operations. Real-World Robotics In the U.S., for example, heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar is successfully using autonomous arms for welding and machining in its factories. These robots improve weld precision, cycle time and material usage efficiency. On one Cat mining truck, a robot and a welder working together can complete a weld 60% faster than a person working alone. In a broader use case that highlights the deployment of robotics for predictive maintenance, a major Brazilian oil and gas (O&G) operator and customer of my company, Radix, has implemented a suite of digital automation and semi-autonomous technologies to modernize its aging floating production units. The Radix-supported initiative deployed a digital twin system to monitor 36 critical assets, including turbines, compressors and generators. The platform enabled real-time anomaly detection across 2,200 field instruments. Within a year, the O&G operator saved approximately $2 million through optimized maintenance cycles and reduced downtime. Augmentation, Not Replacement Still, it is important to emphasize that the goal of these robots is not replacement but augmentation. By boosting precision, improving safety and taking on tasks that are dangerous, repetitive or physically taxing, automation can support rather than supplant the workforce. This type of human-machine collaboration is essential for unlocking new levels of performance without requiring a complete overhaul of existing operations. Industry leaders should begin by investing in small-scope, scalable robotics pilots that address real-world operational issues. Before launching any robotics initiative, it's critical to break down organizational silos and prioritize interoperability. This starts with cross-functional working groups that include IT, OT and engineering, ensuring robotics is deployed to solve shared challenges, not isolated technical issues. Equally important is the establishment of common standards across domains, including data formats, integration architectures and safety protocols. The ultimate goal is to build a modular, flexible robotics ecosystem that is capable of evolving alongside the business. All this said, organizations should be mindful not to overlook the cultural dynamics that can undermine even the most promising robotics initiatives. Resistance to change, fear of job loss and a lack of cross-functional communication are common obstacles. Given these concerns, it's important to involve frontline teams early, invite their feedback and frame automation not as a job eliminator but as a tool to support human roles. This kind of transparency, reinforced through regular communication, training and visible leadership support, fosters trust and lays the groundwork for a successful transformation. Welcome To The Future, Today Ultimately, robots have the potential to ease the transition from aging infrastructure to more future-ready operations, offering meaningful gains in productivity along the way. By considering these points above, you can be better positioned to shape—rather than simply react to—the next chapter of industrial evolution. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Digital Twins Unlock Supply Chain Resilience
Alexander Clausbruch, CEO North America, Radix, offering operational excellence for asset-intensive industries. getty Amid growing geopolitical tensions and unpredictable politics, the global economy is steeling itself for constant, sudden change. As the new U.S. administration rolls out unprecedented international tariffs, industrial supply chains and materials deliveries must brace for significant disruption risk. For many organizations, the period during the pandemic brought logistics into sharp focus as demand-supply shocks and international bottlenecks reshaped global production cycles. That same need for organizational agility and resilience is being brought to the fore in today's turbulent economic and political climate. This extended period of instability and volatility has been termed a "permacrisis" by former dean of Stanford Business School Michael Spence in a book of the same name, co-authored by Gordon Brown, Mohamed El-Erian and Reid Lidow. According to research from the Business Continuity Institute, 80% of global organizations' supply chains were disrupted over the past 12 months, with most experiencing between one and 10 disruptions. Modern technologies have advanced to such a level that they can now fortify supply chains with the necessary agility and intelligence to navigate operational fluctuations. By adopting the right technology infrastructure and supporting strategies, forward-thinking industrial firms can not only withstand volatility but thrive in it. Innovative solutions help provide businesses with an end-to-end, clear view of the supply chain. The digital twin—a virtual replica of a company's systems and processes that can use real-time data to test and optimize scenarios—helps to form the core of optimized modern supply chain management. A digital twin integrates live data from sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and enterprise systems to create a digital representation of a supply chain. This setup allows businesses to monitor operational performance in real time while optimizing production planning, inventory management and logistics. It's no wonder the market for digital twins is set to grow 40% annually, reaching $259 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights. Companies that can swiftly adjust their supply chains by sourcing from different suppliers, changing production methods or rerouting logistics can gain a competitive edge. A study by the Digital Supply Chain initiative, which polled 24 top executives running some of the world's largest supply chains, found that supply chain digitization can lead to a 20% reduction in procurement costs, a 50% reduction in supply chain costs and 10% revenue increases. Digitized supply chains also help to optimize resources, reduce waste and support sustainability efforts by adapting production and distribution based on real-time demand. A broad suite of technologies supports the modern digital twin in making supply chains more agile and resilient. AI-infused analytics can be fed into the system to help businesses forecast demand, optimize routing and automate decision-making. Machine learning algorithms can then identify patterns in supply chain data, making predictive insights more accurate and actionable. IoT enables real-time tracking of shipments, inventory levels and equipment performance. Smart sensors provide critical insights, like temperature monitoring for perishable goods or vibration tracking for machinery maintenance. All the while, cloud-based supply chain platforms support global accessibility, ensuring that all stakeholders—from manufacturers to drivers and retailers—can access real-time data. As a real-world, firsthand example, a pulp and paper mill (a customer of my company) implemented a digital twin that allowed the company to calculate and display mill-wide status, using mass and energy balance to monitor and predict operational conditions. It can also simulate future scenarios, allowing for proactive responses to unexpected disruptions as well as more precise planning and inventory management. In this way, digital twins can help enable enhanced supply chain coordination, optimized resources and lower costs, making operations more agile and resilient. Digital twins are also making strides in the civic arena, as evidenced by the city of Las Vegas. By leveraging a real-time virtual model of its infrastructure, the city is able to precisely monitor traffic, energy usage and water systems, using digital twin technology to significantly improve its sustainability efforts. The city's digital twin allows officials to simulate scenarios—like power outages or extreme weather—and optimize responses before issues arise. This approach is helping Las Vegas reduce emissions, improve services and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Organizations don't need to start with large-scale investments to benefit from digital twins. A key first step is to map out existing data sources, like ERP systems, IoT devices or even spreadsheets, to assess what's already being captured. Cross-functional collaboration is essential throughout the process. Companies should involve operations, IT and supply chain teams early to identify gaps, set goals and define success metrics. By aligning digital twin efforts with existing KPIs and business priorities, companies can scale as value is proven. Another important internal step is to standardize data governance and ensure data quality. Digital twins thrive on accurate, timely information, so businesses should evaluate how well their data is organized and integrated. Ultimately, the best digital twin strategies grow from what companies already have, turning everyday data into a powerful operational asset. Supply chain resilience has evolved beyond contingency planning; it is about leveraging technology to anticipate and respond in an unpredictable world. Supply chains of the future will no longer be siloed, rigid or static—they will be self-correcting and proactive, withstanding whatever comes their way. I believe digitization is the path forward for businesses that want to build agility and flexibility at their core. It is these businesses that will succeed and thrive in the face of uncertainty. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
