As manufacturers look to convert advances in digitalisation
and AI into measurable improvements on the factory floor, Critical
Manufacturing has opened registration for the third edition of the MES &
Industry 4.0 International Summit, scheduled for 20–21 May 2027 at the historic
Alfândega do Porto in Porto, Portugal.
The two-day international event will bring together
manufacturing leaders, technology experts and practitioners to exchange
perspectives, explore emerging technologies and share approaches to scaling
digital transformation. Previous editions have welcomed more than 500
attendees, with 85 per cent representing operational and decision-making roles.
The summit has featured speakers and professionals from companies including
Infineon, Medtronic, Jabil, Alfa Laval, TDK Electronics, Micron Technology and
Danfoss.
Under the theme “The Leadership Agenda for the Thinking
Factory,” the 2027 summit will explore how manufacturing operations can become
more intelligent, flexible and AI-ready.
The Thinking Factory represents a new stage in digital
manufacturing, where connected production systems, data and industrial AI
increasingly support decision-making and factory floor operations. Discussions
will focus on the realities of Industry 4.0 adoption, challenges and risks
involved in scaling digital transformation across multiple sites, the role of
trusted AI and best practices for successful MES implementations. The programme
will also emphasise real-world experiences and lessons from technology projects
and digital transformation programmes.
Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO of Critical Manufacturing, says:
“Manufacturing is entering an important new phase. Companies have invested
significantly in connecting and digitalising their operations, and AI is now
creating opportunities to use that foundation in new ways. The challenge for manufacturing
leaders is to understand where these technologies can deliver real value, how
they fit into the wider manufacturing architecture and how they can be scaled
with confidence.”
Jeff Winter will return as Chair of the MESI 4.0 Summit,
helping guide discussions across the two-day programme and bringing together
perspectives from manufacturing leaders, technology specialists and industry
experts.
Dr Werner Lohwasser, CEO & COO, TDK Electronics, and a
speaker at the 2025 edition, shared: “We talk about similar things like digital
transformation or MES implementation, but every story is a little different. By
sharing this knowledge and experience, we all can learn a lot. It is about the
insights from real-life projects, not textbook knowledge, but real experience.
This is what makes it very unique.”
The summit will build on the interactive format established
during previous editions. Main-stage presentations will be complemented by
technology-focused sessions, roundtable discussions, interactive workshops, an
MES Expert Lab and an Expo Pavilion. These formats will allow attendees to
explore new ideas, discuss implementation challenges directly with experts and
exchange experiences with peers.
The event has also provided a platform for start-ups and
emerging manufacturing technology companies through its Innovation Hub,
bringing new ideas and technologies into the wider industry conversation. The
2027 edition is expected to build on this format with an expanded programme for
learning, discussion and collaboration across the two days.
The summit has received strong support from sponsors and
exhibitors, with previous editions supported by companies including Infosys,
Cognizant, HCLTech, Red Hat and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), reflecting the
level of industry interest in partnering with the event and engaging its
audience.
“Some of the most valuable conversations happen when
manufacturers can openly compare where they are in their transformation
journeys, what has worked and what has not,” continues Almada Lobo. “MESI 4.0
Summit creates a setting where people facing similar challenges can learn
directly from one another and take those insights back into their own
organisations.”