Automation Caffeine

We kick off the second season of Automation Caffeine with Alexandre Yurchak, Head of the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance and CEO of the Association of Industrial Automation of Ukraine, to explore how automation is reshaping European industries, particularly in manufacturing.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have significantly disrupted Europe’s industrial automation market, causing delays in the delivery of critical components. Along with supply chain issues, manufacturers are also dealing with a widening skills gap, labor shortages, and rising energy costs due to geopolitical instability.

To stay competitive in this challenging landscape, companies are adopting technologies like AI and blockchain. Alexandre highlights several real-world examples, such as forecasting energy consumption to optimize operations. He explains that during the war, Ukrainian companies turned to alternative energy sources, like solar panels, to maintain autonomy, as traditional fossil-based systems were heavily disrupted. Additionally, microgrids offer a solution to the fluctuating energy supply, especially during peak demand, allowing manufacturers to stabilize their operations.

However, Europe faces a technological lag compared to Asia and the U.S., particularly in the integration of digital and green technologies. Alexandre stresses the need for Europe to catch up by accelerating its adoption of Industry 4.0 innovations, such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and cyber-secure systems​.

Tune in to explore the future of industrial automation in Europe, straight from a leading expert in the field!