Intesa Sanpaolo and BI-REX boost Industry 4.0 innovation

By the Intesa Sanpaolo Research Department

The analysis presents the national results of a survey involving approximately 1,500 companies operating across all Italian regions. The sample includes clients of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group active in mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, food and beverages, health and wellness (pharmaceuticals, biomedical and cosmetics), and ICT services.

The findings confirm a solid nationwide adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, with around three-quarters of companies using at least one solution. Adoption rates are higher among medium-large companies (88%), while still significant among micro and small businesses (67%). In Emilia-Romagna, the share exceeds the national average at 78.2%. The most widely used technologies include data storage, transmission and analytics tools (45%) and robotics (42%), followed by cloud computing (35%) and cybersecurity (29%). Just over one in ten companies reports using artificial intelligence solutions.

Companies primarily rely on technology providers (80%) or machinery and equipment suppliers (65%) to support the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Consultants (25%), customers (12%), universities and research centres (12%) play a more limited role, while engagement with technology transfer centres (e.g. competence centres and digital innovation hubs) remains low at 5%. Key challenges include high costs, long implementation timelines and coordination complexity; lack of trust does not appear to be a major barrier.

Technology adoption has led companies to revise their organisational structures (44%) and introduce new business models (36%), with higher shares observed where younger board members are present (49% and 41% respectively). Innovation pathways have also been supported by dedicated training, with 57% of companies implementing specific training programmes.

The main outcomes achieved through Industry 4.0 adoption are multiple, with process optimisation through automation and monitoring highlighted by more than 63% of companies, and over half reporting increased production speed. Adoption is particularly concentrated in production processes (around 60%), suggesting the progressive development of smart factories characterised by automated and interconnected operations.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF INDUSTRY 4.0 COMPANIES

Corporate performance analysis was conducted on a sample of more than 1,300 companies participating in the survey, for which financial statements were available for the 2019–2024 period. The sample distinguishes between “advanced” Industry 4.0 companies and firms that have not yet adopted Industry 4.0 technologies.

Results indicate stronger dynamism among Industry 4.0 companies, which recorded median revenue growth of 32.2% between 2019 and 2024, compared with 23.6% for non-adopters. This gap is visible both among medium-large companies (29.1% vs. 25.6%) and, even more markedly, among micro and small firms (33.4% vs. 22.3%). In terms of profitability, technologically advanced companies also show stronger performance, with higher EBITDA margins (9.9% vs. 8.7% in 2024) and greater growth over the period.

Advanced technology adoption also translates into productivity gains: in 2024, value added per employee reached €75.4 thousand for Industry 4.0 companies, compared with €68 thousand for others. Differences in favour of advanced companies remain evident even when comparing firms of similar size. Over the six-year period analysed, companies also strengthened their capital structure, with more pronounced improvements among Industry 4.0 firms, which maintained higher levels in 2024 (38% vs. 35.6%).

More advanced Industry 4.0 companies demonstrate a stronger propensity to invest in training, redesign internal organisation and introduce new business models. Firms that combined technological adoption with business model innovation show significantly higher dynamism, with median revenue growth of 36.4%, compared with 27% for other Industry 4.0 companies. This suggests that advanced technologies alone are not sufficient: competitiveness improves when innovation is accompanied by training initiatives, process optimisation and the development of new business models.

EMILIA-ROMAGNA FOCUS

Data relating to Emilia-Romagna highlight the following characteristics:

• 78.2% of surveyed companies adopt at least one Industry 4.0 technology, compared with a national average of 75%, with peaks of 93% among medium-large companies, significantly above the Italian figure of 88%;
• Technology providers (81%) and machinery and equipment suppliers (73%) play a leading role in supporting Industry 4.0 adoption. Lower percentages are recorded for consultants (25%), customers (11%) and universities and research centres (8%);
• One in four Industry 4.0 companies shows an advanced profile, with a strong propensity to implement training programmes (74%), introduce new business models (47%) and revise organisational structures (65%), all higher than the overall sample averages.