OPTIMA packaging group GmbH from Schwäbisch Hall was the first HR department to receive an award from the Industry 4.0 Baden-Württemberg Alliance for forward-looking HR management in the context of digitalisation.
At an award ceremony on 15 July, HR Manager Sebastian Henke accepted the award on behalf of the company. In the „100 Places for Industry 4.0“ competition, Allianz recognises small and medium-sized companies across the country that fully exploit the potential of Industry 4.0 with outstanding ideas.
Digital solutions that recognise the added value of digital networking - This is what the Industry 4.0 Alliance is looking for as part of the „100 Places for Industry 4.0“ competition. The alliance is a network initiated and funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, whose coordination centre is based at the VDMA Baden-Württemberg regional association (Association of German Machine and Plant Manufacturers).
The sought-after innovations also include outstanding organisational processes, such as those introduced by OPTIMA packaging group GmbH as part of an overarching digitalisation strategy.
Digital solutions have become firmly established in many areas of the company
The special machine manufacturer from Schwäbisch Hall uses the potential of digitalisation in many areas - including HR management. The company has now been recognised for this.
The Industry 4.0 solution entitled „Human Resources as a transformation accelerator“ comprises several complementary personnel management tools and human resources initiatives that accompany employees and managers throughout the entire employment period - from personnel planning to personnel development.
„With these measures, we are successfully guiding our employees into the future of work“
Sebastian Henke, Head of Human Resources at OPTIMA packaging group GmbH„The human resources tools are target group and application-orientated and focus on individual employee needs,“ continues Henke
Sebastian Henke, Head of Human Resources at OPTIMA packaging group GmbH
OPTIMA proactively involves employees and managers in the topic of digitalisation
This includes active internal communication on the topic of the „future of work“ in internal media, the introduction of active sourcing and the integration of the Packaging Valley e.V. Virtual Reality Centre into university marketing and vocational training.
The company actively informs managers about the future requirements of digitalisation. Industry 4.0 and the necessary training measures are an important topic in employee appraisals.
Optima's personnel development programme makes employees fit for the future and includes numerous training courses on digital topics and agile working.
The company is currently on the verge of concluding a works agreement that comprehensively regulates mobile working and gives employees even more flexibility. In addition, the Works Council and the Human Resources department are liaising closely on the goals and requirements of Work 4.0.
Market relevance and degree of innovation are decisive
A successful application for the competition depends on the market relevance and degree of innovation of the solution. The competition is aimed at companies from Baden-Württemberg, primarily small and medium-sized enterprises. A jury of experts from the Industry 4.0 Alliance will decide on the applications received.
It is made up of representatives from business, science, chambers of industry and commerce, trade unions and politics. The award winners include well-known companies such as SAP, Bosch, Siemens, Würth, Kärcher and ebm-papst.
Source: OPTIMA packaging group GmbH
