Industry 4.0 transformation initiatives in a small scale mill board unit through sustainable manufacturing: A case study

Abstract

Small scale mill board manufacturing industries are shutting down shop at an enormous pace. Observation shows that three out of five such units close down operations within three years of its inception due to their inability to sustain in the market. These units have not been able to utilize resources effectively and have not been able to run profitably too. Further, they have been struggling to meet the norms stipulated by the state pollution control board. This article is a review of various problems identified in a mill board unit and the measures taken that made the unit self-reliant and transform into an Industry 4.0 enterprise through sustainable smart manufacturing concepts. This case study describes measures adopted to revive a struggling mill board unit and its success in terms of economic profitability and issues in incorporating Industry 4.0 concepts..