Second smart factory of Schneider Electric recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Sustainability Lighthouse

Schneider Electric’s Smart Factory in Le Vaudreuil, France

(PRESS RELEASE) RUEIL-MALMAISON, 30-Mar-2022 — /EuropaWire/ — Schneider Electric (EPA: SU), a global leader in energy management, digital transformation and automation active in more than 100 countries, has announced that its Le Vaudreuil smart factory becomes the company’s second to be recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Sustainability Lighthouse. The first is the Lexington, Kentucky plant that received the same status in September 2021. The Le Vaudreuil smart factory is one of only six factories worldwide that received this type of recognition by the WEF. The World Economic Forum has also recognized the company’s Smart Factory in Hyderabad, India as an Advanced Lighthouse — the fifth Schneider Electric factory to receive this distinction to date, joining Le Vaudreuil, France, Wuxi, China, Lexington, Kentucky, and Batam, Indonesia factories.

The Forum’s Sustainability Lighthouses showcase and recognize global best practices of 4IR technologies in manufacturing. These demonstrate how companies can unlock new levels of sustainability in their operations and win-win solutions: greater operational competitiveness while simultaneously delivering greater environmental stewardship, for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The Le Vaudreuil factory is a compelling case in the power of data to drive greater sustainability outcomes. The plant implemented IIoT sensors connected to digital platforms, and the visibility of this new data enabled optimized energy management to reduce power use by 25%, cut material waste by 17%, and lower CO2 emissions by 25%. The smart factory is equipped with a zero-reject water recycling station connected to cloud analytics monitored by AI that predicts and processes flows leading to a 64% reduction in water use.

Manufacturing mission-critical products, the Hyderabad plant leverages Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IIoT solutions to empower the team to make better and faster decisions for improved customer outcomes. Predictive and prescriptive analytics, AI deep learning, and 4IR integrated technologies are leveraged to meet changing customer demands and have resulted in a 54% increase of business growth. Manufacturing efficiency has been increased by 9%, while field failure reduced by 48% and lead time by 67%.

“Our investment in Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies is driven by our commitment to our customers, sustainability, and to improve business outcomes,” said Mourad Tamoud, Schneider Electric’s executive vice president of global supply chain. “This latest recognition from the World Economic Forum for Le Vaudreuil and Hyderabad plants provides compelling cases for rapid and extensive deployment of 4IR technologies — there are significant sustainability, agility, and resilience benefits for manufacturers.”

These latest examples demonstrate Schneider’s commitment to its purpose: “We are always looking to improve and enhance our supply chain for our customers and society as a trusted partner for digitalization and sustainability,” Tamoud said. “And we never forget that it’s our people who are making it happen, which is why we invest in developing their digital skills and expertise as part of our people vision and investment in our employees.”

In collaboration with McKinsey & Company, the World Economic Forum began the Global Lighthouse Network initiative in 2018 to recognize manufacturers leading growth of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Hyderabad plant joins a list of more than 100 sites in the Global Lighthouse Network that create innovation in business models and increased customer value through 4IR technologies. These companies demonstrate how digital operations create productivity and efficiency gains to enable sustainable growth in the face of pervasive disruptions and challenges.

STRIVE Program

The Hyderabad and Le Vaudreuil factories are part of Schneider Electric’s global smart factory and distribution center initiative encompassing nearly 300 factories and logistics centers in more than 40 countries. This initiative – part of the company’s STRIVE program – aims to address the fundamental challenge of sustainability while increasing profitability and efficiency.

STRIVE (Sustainable, Trusted, Resilient, Intelligent, Velocity and Efficiency) is the next evolution of Schneider Electric’s supply chain transformation to be the most agile, innovative, planet and customer-centric supply chain.

• Sustainable – Schneider Electric is implementing projects to build carbon-neutral and circular supply chains whilst preserving local biodiversity.
• Trusted & Resilient – Schneider Electric strengthens its resilience through multi-sourcing and ensures there is no single point of failure in its production lines. Leveraging technology, we can create a highly personalized experience for our customers and ensure superior quality using and end-to-end view of its operations.
• Intelligent – Leveraging digital, Schneider Electric predicts, prevents, and automates for a highly flexible remotely orchestrated supply chain
• Velocity & Efficiency – Schneider Electric leverages its strong regional presence, agile mindset, and supply partners

STRIVE is part of Schneider Electric’s vision that electrification and digitization are inextricable tools in the fight against climate change. This vision has led to the company’s recent ranking as #4 in the 2021 Gartner Supply Chain Top 25.

Media contact:
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SOURCE: Schneider Electric