Exploring Innovative Enterprises during The DIGILOGIC Study Visit in Friuli

During the visit, they observed these companies' innovation processes, technology adoption challenges, and collaborations. Each of these companies showcased the industrial excellence of the region while also managing the challenges of sustainability and innovation adoption.

Partners visited several enterprises:

Ceccarelli Group in Tolmezzo, Udine. The company offers a revolutionary logistics outsourcing service to manufacturing companies. They also provide local businesses with complete digital visibility into the progress of their handling processes. The centre's technical director explained the project's innovative aspects, highlighting the comprehensive logistics management and utilisation of their storage facilities.

Elifriulia at Tolmezzo Technology Park, which offers passenger transport, air ambulance services, flight training, and maintenance. The company's innovative application uses infrared camera technology mounted on the helicopter's nose to identify high-risk areas during firefighting missions, preventing the rekindling of fires. The application uses artificial intelligence to optimise flight paths, reducing costs and increasing safety.

D'Agaro in Amaro is known for prioritising local human resources and conducting high-level training. D'Agaro collaborates with suppliers to train drivers in fuel-efficient driving and uses EURO 6 vehicles and advanced instrumentation for consumption monitoring to reduce air pollutants. Their partnership with Volvo Truck has facilitated the implementation of an information system for fleet monitoring, which has enhanced delivery reliability and simplified route planning.

Illiria S.p.A, a company that manages vending machines across Italy and Morocco. They focus on ensuring food expiration dates are correctly managed to avoid selling expired products. Illiria has an operations room with several monitors that provide real-time updates on stock levels, equipment status, and machine contents. This significant investment underlines the company's commitment to quality and safety.

Danieli Automation in Buttrio, Udine. They saw the latest project in Mexico, where they manage large quantities of semi-finished steel worldwide with great efficiency. Danieli Automation is proud to be the first to produce steel rolling products using green technologies worldwide. Digital twin technology and AI have improved workplace safety, and increased women's participation in male-dominated industries, but challenges remain in translating research into manufacturing practices.

The visit highlighted certain aspects of the companies encountered. Despite their different sizes and operations, they all have one thing in common: an eagerness to incorporate technology and digitisation into their operations. To achieve this, they require a high degree of application customisation, which is where Digital Hubs come in. These hubs play a crucial role in incubating and developing applications that can be seamlessly integrated into various production, commercial, or managerial contexts.

Partners attending DIGILOGIC’s Study Visit gained insights into global market needs, fostering mutual collaboration. These visits showcased Friuli-based companies' commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence, inspiring future endeavours.

"Hosting DIGILOGIC Europe and Africa partner representatives in Udine provided valuable collaboration and knowledge exchange opportunities. It also allowed us to strengthen our connections with local and renowned companies within the dynamic logistics platform of Friuli Venezia Giulia, bridging the Mediterranean and Central Europe. By showcasing our ecosystem, we gained a deep understanding of its untapped potential and acted as catalysts for growth and collaboration within our local community. This experience vividly demonstrates the transformative power of connectivity and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead,” says Claudia Baracchini, Project Manager at Friuli Innovazione/TEC4IFVG.