EP 4 — Bel Group’s Rémy Beraud on Driving Value-First Digital Transformation in Food Manufacturing

With a 25-year career spanning rail transportation, automotive manufacturing at Renault, and now food production at Bel Group, Rémy Beraud, Industry 4.0 Director, offers unique insights into implementing Industry 4.0 initiatives at scale. 

In their discussion on this episode of Industrial Visionaries, Rémy tells ZJ about Bel Group’s innovative approach to data collection across global sites, the importance of standardization in technical infrastructure, and their successful framework for IT-OT collaboration through digital pillars. 

Rémy also emphasizes the critical nature of value-driven transformation and shares candid advice about managing technical debt while maintaining momentum in digital initiatives. 

Topics discussed:

• Implementation of a comprehensive digital transformation methodology incorporating both technical innovation and workforce development across global operations. 
• Development of standardized data collection strategies using OPC UA and edge computing platforms to manage diverse industrial equipment effectively.
• Creation of digital pillars in factories to facilitate collaboration between IT, OT, and industrial performance teams for improved project outcomes.
• Strategic approach to measuring digital transformation progress through value-based KPIs and standardized data models across multiple sites.
• Management of technical debt and infrastructure investments to enable sustainable digital transformation initiatives.
• Unique challenges and opportunities in digitizing food manufacturing compared to automotive and other industrial sectors.
• Implementation of edge platforms and connectivity solutions to standardize data collection across diverse global manufacturing sites.
• Development of cross-functional teams to drive digital transformation while maintaining focus on business value and ROI.
• Integration of lean manufacturing principles with digital transformation initiatives for enhanced operational efficiency.
• Strategies for securing management buy-in through value-driven project planning and technical debt management.