Analysts checked how technologies can affect the financial results of producers in the FMCG industry.
Automation and digitalization at FCMG producers in Poland: conclusions that make you think
- In companies that invest heavily in technologies, especially in the digitization of processes and their optimization with the support of digital tools, net sales revenues are much higher than in organizations that are technologically lagging behind.
- Technologically advanced companies have a higher return on operating assets (ROOA) than their less technologically advanced competitors; digitization and automation provide the greatest advantages.
- Companies investing in new technologies have a much more favorable (lower) inventory turnover rate: such organizations freeze capital to a lesser extent, are not burdened with paying interest, and invest more.
- Companies from the 20 percent group The most technologically advanced companies are able to dynamically manage costs and control activities to achieve a high level of resistance to market changes caused by crises. Companies in which the level of use of new technologies is low have less control over profits and are less adaptable to market changes caused by, for example, a pandemic or war.
– Over the last 15 years, we have repeatedly examined the level of technological advancement of Polish manufacturing companies. These studies indicated that 20-30% of companies are actively investing in the field of robotization and digitization of production. companies. Compared to the most robotized and productive countries, this is still not much – he comments Jarosław Gracelpresident of the Krakow-based company ASTOR, which has been dealing with robotization and automation of enterprises for nearly four decades.
Prof. Robert Rządca from the Department of Strategy at the Kozminski University in Warsaw emphasizes that – in the light of the results presented in the latest report – introducing modern technological solutions can be a way to build a competitive advantage, especially when linking specific categories and technological and development areas.
– Investments in technological competences are associated with a higher level of technological advancement and better financial results – says the scientist.
Automation and digitalization at FCMG producers in Poland: current status
The “Techimpact 2024” report shows that almost half (47%) of the surveyed enterprises are only at the beginning of automating intralogistics processes, which means that they rely mainly on human work and do not use automatic transport systems and mobile robots.
Only one third of companies fully use the capabilities of the MES (Manufacturing Execution System), a solution commonly used in developed countries to optimize the management of production processes. It may be surprising that in an era of rising energy prices, over 30 percent companies do not use digital tools at all to optimize energy efficiency, i.e. minimize the company’s impact on the environment as part of ESG (Environmental, social, and governance) initiatives.
Only 3 percent companies use artificial intelligence algorithms (AI / Data Science) at an advanced level to optimize their processes. As many as 93% do not know what digital twins are and how they can be used to develop the company.
Details on the ASTOR and Koźmiński websites.
