Adrian Stelmach urges functional Industry 4.0 adoption in Polish manufacturing

Adrian Stelmach, president of Explitia, stresses that successful Industry 4.0 projects start with a clear definition of the production problem to be solved, not with the technology itself. He advises firms to identify frequent downtime or error points before selecting systems such as MES, SCADA or traceability solutions, and to measure impact through metrics like reduced change‑over time, lower defect rates and improved OEE. Change‑management is also highlighted as essential; without proper training and acceptance, new tools will not deliver value.

A separate analysis of managerial capabilities points out that many Polish companies still lack systematic, logical‑thinking tools needed to navigate complex crises. It recommends adopting methods such as mind‑mapping, Ishikawa diagrams and the Theory of Constraints (TOC+) to prioritize projects, resolve inter‑departmental conflicts and focus on high‑impact improvements. The overarching message is that both technology adoption and strategic thinking must be purpose‑driven to generate measurable business benefits.