Expanding Chemical Industry Value through Digital Innovation
In the rapidly evolving world of the chemical industry, Efeso Management Consultants are at the forefront, driving digital transformation to boost safety, efficiency, and reliability. Based in their headquarters, this esteemed company is spearheaded by partners Fernando Cruzado, David Sedge, and Gernot Schaefer.
The approach championed by Efeso is an integrated transformation, blending digital tools with the operational knowledge that resides on the shop floor. This strategy prioritises what works over what's fashionable, ensuring that the chosen solutions address the right problems, rather than leading to fragmentation and fatigue from broad digital programs.
One European producer has seen impressive results from this method, reducing unplanned downtime by 22% within a year. This achievement freed up €4.7 million in capacity and slashed maintenance costs by 15%. The secret to their success? Pairing predictive tools with structured reliability programs.
Change management and leadership engagement are vital components of this transformation. A credible change story, backed by a strong business case, is key to taking the organisation along this digital journey. Investing in the organisation's buy-in is essential for the successful implementation of these new strategies.
Efficiency and effectiveness are also heightened in chemical plants through the use of advanced process control, predictive analytics, digital shopfloor management, and mobile maintenance workflows. For instance, Bayer has significantly improved its plant operations by integrating digital enablers with traditional improvement strategies. Their centralised software platform, Shiftconnector, has streamlined communication and data analysis on the shopfloor, reducing manual data entry and freeing up employee time for critical tasks. However, the exact monetary savings from these improvements were not specified in the available information.
In the pursuit of performance evolution, Efeso emphasises the importance of speed, learning, and pragmatism over perfection. The focus should be on starting fast, learning quickly, scaling proven solutions, and staying selective. A clear path from pilot to scale is essential for a successful digital transformation.
Lastly, it's important to note that digital value generation in the chemicals industry is focused on present-day performance improvement, not just futureproofing. Business-centric digital solutions should follow the principle of business-pull, not "technology push". The ultimate goal of these transformations is performance evolution, owned by those who deliver it daily. A solid business case and benefit tracking should be established, with a focus on pushing for a clear business case and demonstrating the effect.
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