Manufacturers around the world face major challenges when it comes to investing in Industry 4.0, especially in this time of crisis. In its latest study, Siemens Financial Services (SFS) developed a model that conservatively estimates the amount of investment needed to digitize smart factories by 2024: Global investment in smart factories is expected to be close to 400 billion dollars over the next five years.
Moreover, the transformation is urgent. Previous SFS research shows that the window of opportunity to get ahead of the competition will reach a “tipping point” in 5-7 years, after which manufacturers will have to catch up.
Smart manufacturers are deploying new financing models, coming primarily from specialist financial manufacturers in the manufacturing sector, that offer commercially viable payment methods for this imperative digital transformation.
"Given the double pressure exerted on European manufacturers by increasing competition on national and international markets, investment in digital transformation has reached a critical stage ," explains Thierry Fautré, president of Siemens Financial Services. , France. Smart finance offers sustainable investment methods that allow manufacturers to achieve desired and clearly defined business outcomes, all while accessing the right technologies and services with the help of a dedicated financier. This is particularly favorable given the enormous economic impact of this current global health crisis. "