PwC, GMIS extend partnership to explore future of digital-first workplaces, industries

DUBAI — PwC, the global professional services  firm, and the  HYPERLINK "http://gmisummit.com/" \h Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) on Monday announced the extension of their long-standing knowledge partnership to explore the role of human-led tech-powered solutions  in shaping the future of work and accelerating digital transformations to chart a sustainable course for future of the industrial sector.

By combining GMIS and PwC’s expertise in thought-leadership and business advisory services, respectively, the partnership will explore the rising importance of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to create smarter, secure and sustainable supply chains, boost industrial productivity, reduce operating costs, develop hybrid workplaces where humans and robots seamlessly work together and drive sustainability at the very heart of the manufacturing sector, according to a GMIS statement.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), PwC and GMIS will also collaborate on a series of knowledge sharing initiatives, including the launch of white papers, to identify the future skill needs in manufacturing, drive the adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to enable innovative R&D initiatives for sustainable manufacturing in a digital-first industrial landscape.

Anil Khurana, Global Industrial Manufacturing & Automotive Leader of PwC, said: “Companies around the world are embracing disruptive technologies to redefine their work environments, blur the lines between physical and digital worlds and meet their net zero commitment. Meeting sustainability goals is one of the key strategic imperatives for organisations and PwC is committed to helping them harness the power of automated workplaces and agile production systems to unlock the next wave of sustainable industrial innovation. 

“As we join hands with the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, we look forward to contributing to global discussions on the future of jobs, workplaces, manufacturing systems and technology adoption to help organizations deliver lasting growth.” 

According to  HYPERLINK "https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/industrial-manufacturing/coo-pulse-survey.html?WT.mc_id=CT10-PL102-DM2-TR2-LS4-ND30-TTA9-CN_Manufacturing-COO-Pulse-Sept-2021-InternalComms" PwC COO Pulse Survey of C-level leaders with responsibility for manufacturing operations, more than half (52 per cent) of respondents said that, of all the changes in customer needs and behaviours, the growing demand for sustainable products is having the largest impact on operations.

When asked to prioritise the societal outcomes that business should help deliver, CEOs put the creation of a skilled, educated and adaptable workforce at the top of the list. At the same time, a growing number of CEOs are seeking to boost their organisation’s competitiveness through digital investments in the workforce; 36 per cent aim to focus on productivity through technology and automation, which is more than double the share of CEOs who said the same in 2016. Anecdotally, CEOs in a variety of industries have spoken about their plans to incorporate or expand their use of digital technologies and automation, according to the statement.

Drawing on key global leaders from government, business, and civil society, #GMIS2021 will create important opportunities to explore shifting skill requirements across the industrial sector, and how organisations are redesigning their operations to reap the benefits of technological advances for more sustainable value creation in the future. 

The summit will organise discussions on topics such as increasing digital mobility at work, the latest digital trends driving enhancements across the value chain, how organisations can prepare for the next phase of industrial growth, as well as the future of renewable energy. 

Badr Al Olama, head of the GMIS Organising Committee said: “From factory floors to oil refineries, the industrial sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation in the way it operates due to the advent of disruptive technologies and automation. PwC and GMIS have come together to provide business leaders with insights into the fast-changing technology landscape and help them truly understand the impact of automation on production capabilities, supply chain operations and skill development. As the pace of change continues to accelerate within the manufacturing world, GMIS is delighted to extend its partnership with PwC, a world leader in providing industry-focused advisory services.”

To be held at EXPO’s Dubai Exhibition Centre from November 22-27, #GMIS2021 will highlight how the evolving forms of interactions between and among humans and machines are becoming the leading factors shaping the future of workforce, manufacturing, policymaking, sustainable development and global economies. 

Discussions at the summit will take place across several formats, including presentations, networking events, interviews with industry experts, interactive workshops and panel sessions. #GMIS2021 will host three Global Panorama Sessions exploring the challenges and opportunities facing European and North American manufacturing and the drive toward ‘green’ investments, the different development strategies in Latin America and Southeast Asia and the role of digital connectivity to optimise global integration, as well as how digital technologies can drive prosperity in Africa and the Middle East.  

In addition, the summit will organise side-events and conferences focused on strengthening commercial links and bilateral relations between different countries, harnessing open innovation to solve the world’s toughest socio-economic challenges, as well as strengthening renewable energy generation for a cleaner and more inclusive energy future.