Industry 4.0: technologies implemented in the production process of an agricultural machinery industry

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution, known as Industry 4.0, emerged in mid-2010 in Germany with the aim of developing smart factories, through the adoption of digital technologies in an integrated way in companies to provide advanced solutions and increase competitiveness. Emerging countries have greater challenges in adopting enabling technologies, due to a greater technological gap in their manufacturing parks and less investment power. The deindustrialization process in Brazil, in recent decades, has had a strong impact on the Brazilian economy and reduced investments in R&D. On the other hand, the growth of Brazilian agribusiness has stimulated the development of new technologies in its processes, products and services to reduce costs, increase productivity and be globally competitive. Therefore, the objective of this research is to identify and understand the technologies that enable industry 4.0 implemented in the production process of a national industry that manufactures agricultural machinery. The research has a qualitative, descriptive approach, using a single case study as a method. The main results obtained were: (i) identification of enabling technologies implemented in the industrial production process; (ii) identification of technological initiatives with potential application in the industry, bringing a competitive advantage to the company. From a theoretical point of view, this research contributes to the understanding of the concepts of enabling technologies and their benefits. From a practical perspective, the results help to understand this relevant business topic, and can contribute to decision makers in the industrial area with perspectives for a strategic direction of technology in the company.