Factory of the future, digitalization and state incentives. So many times we have talked about it and in general you know what my sentiments are: the factory of the future for me is and always will be the one that will manage to move at the same pace as a changing market. Everything else will be more or less directly linked to this: machinery, instruments, professions, departments, and so on…
I would however like to add one point.
It is not uncommon to hear criticism of our country and of our fellow citizens, not only by foreigners, but also by Italians ourselves. Of how we are backward, disorganised and unreliable, for example. And probably many of the criticisms directed at us (and that we ourselves make) are also founded, because – while not generalising – we do have our defects. But in my opinion, we too do something well.
As I imagine most of you do, I too am firmly convinced of the fact that
the National Industry 4.0 Plan (now Enterprise 4.0) implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development led by Calenda has been a great manoeuvre for the Italian economy. I also believe, however, that it was slightly underestimated from a political point of view (and from other perspectives).
Although we talk a lot about it, there are still many (indeed too many) Italian companies that have little knowledge of what Industry 4.0 is, who do not intend to invest in this direction (at least not in the short term) and that, as a result, are giving little value to the Government’s manoeuvre on the subject.
Not to mention that those who are not directly involved even ignore what Industry 4.0 is (and my fear is that these people form the majority).
Obviously I don’t intend to talk about politics (not particularly my area! and least of all during a pre-election period). What I would say is that
no Italian Government from World War II to today has developed such an important plan for the industrial development of our country.
Undoubtedly the loss of more than a quarter of the turnover of Italian manufacturing of the last ten years, due in part to the crisis and partly as a result of a backward mentality, has contributed to the sounding of a warning bell to those involved. A survey conducted a few years ago by Ucimu found, for example, that the fleets of Italian companies had an average age of approximately twenty years and therefore a move aimed at a revival in this direction was logical and natural. Logical and natural, but not assured.
Similarly the development plans of other countries such as the Plattform Industrie 4.0 of Germany or the Alliance Industrie du Futur of France have been inspirational.
The fact is, however, that such an important development plan has not been implemented for a long time.
Moreover, Italy was the first nation to conceive, carry forward and obtain the possibility of starting the development of a joint action plan with France and Germany, “a trilateral cooperation agreement to support and strengthen the digitisation processes of their own manufacturing sectors and, consequently, to promote the efforts made by the European Union in this field”.
A plan that will then study the developments of Industry 4.0 not focusing on the individual country, but working on a common vision, creating synergies to draw a joint roadmap in order to be stronger and more synchronised with the non-European enterprises.
Moral: I would say that we Italians do in fact do something that is good, even if we often underestimate ourselves. Something good that goes beyond creativity, the quality of Made in Italy.
