- The World Economic Forum welcomes 23 new industrial sites to its Global Lighthouse Network, demonstrating how advanced technologies can improve productivity, resilience, sustainability, talent and customer-centricity at scale.
- A new Forum report provides a strategic analysis of the industry transformations achieved by these Lighthouse sites, offering a blueprint for scaling frontier technologies to improve operational performance.
- The Forum also launches Lumina , an AI-powered industrial intelligence platform that provides actionable benchmarks, enabling leaders to move from pilots to scaled decisions with lower risk.
- Learn more about the Global Lighthouse Network here and read its latest report here . Follow the Annual Meeting 2026 here and on social media using #WEF26.
Geneva, Switzerland, 15 January 2026 - The World Economic Forum welcomes a new cohort of 23 Lighthouses to its Global Lighthouse Network (GLN), demonstrating how industrial transformation can be scaled with measurable impact amid persistent disruption from geopolitical volatility, cost pressures and rapid technological change. Announced in the week leading up to the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, the new Lighthouses are leading companies and value chains that are rewiring operations using advanced technologies - particularly artificial intelligence - to strengthen competitiveness, resilience and sustainability.
Alongside the cohort announcement, the Forum is publishing its annual white paper, Global Lighthouse Network: Rewiring Operations for Resilience and Impact at Scale . Drawing on insights from more than 220 Lighthouse sites across more than 30 countries, the report examines how leading manufacturers are strengthening operational resilience, embedding AI across production and value chains, and scaling digital transformation beyond pilots to deliver sustained performance impact.
"Competitiveness today is no longer defined by efficiency alone, but by the ability to sense, adapt and respond at speed," said Kiva Allgood, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. "This year's industrial transformation sites show how intelligence-led operations are being scaled to place resilience and sustainability at the core of how industry operates."
The new cohort demonstrate particularly strong progress in three areas:
- building resilience amid volatility
- embedding AI into core operations
- scaling digital transformation across networks rather than single sites.
The cohort also reflects the Network's expanded framework, which now recognizes excellence across five dimensions: productivity, supply chain resilience, sustainability, customer centricity and talent.
"These Lighthouse sites reflect a shift in how manufacturers approach transformation, from testing what's possible to institutionalizing what works," said Jayanta Banerjee, Chief Information Officer, Tata Steel. "Leaders are embedding AI into day-to-day decision-making and extending change across value chains, aligning digital capability with workforce strategy and sustainability to deliver results that hold up under sustained volatility."
The Forum is also launching Lumina , a new AI-powered industrial intelligence platform. Lumina consolidates eight years of Global Lighthouse Network data and Lighthouse Operating System frameworks, drawing on insights from more than 1,000 successful industrial transformations into a decision-intelligence platform that helps leaders benchmark performance, prioritize investments, scale proven use cases and avoid common pitfalls as they accelerate transformation across industries.
The launch of Lumina reflects a broader shift among leading manufacturers toward multi-technology deployment and data-driven decision-making. Insights from the Lumina dataset show that 94% of successful transformations combine multiple technology domains, with AI most often deployed alongside IoT, cloud and digital twins. Lighthouses that pair these technologies with workforce and sustainability initiatives outperform peers by an average of 16% or more, demonstrating that competitiveness increasingly depends on integrating technology, talent and emissions reduction.
"Lumina provides the strategic blueprint of Lighthouse sites, offering a scalable model for future-ready transformation," said Jimmy Gu, Vice President, Supply Chain Performance and Digitalization, Schneider Electric. "By decoding these successes, it empowers our entire organization to accelerate digital transformation and deliver exceptional value."
Lumina will continue to evolve as new Lighthouse data and industrial transformations are added each year and wave.
The New Lighthouse Cohort
Distinction in Customer Centricity
This award recognizes operational sites for achieving exceptional speed-to-market and customization through technology-enabled design and procurement, optimization of batch size, lead time, product cost and performance.
The new Customer Centricity Lighthouses are:
Carl Zeiss Vision Ltd. (Guangzhou, People's Republic of China)
To deliver highly personalized optical lenses to global customers faster, Carl Zeiss Vision Guangzhou developed more than 100 digital use cases. Deploying technologies such as machine learning, digital twins and AI agents, to tailor products based on customer age, visual needs and lifestyle, the initiative expanded the personalized product range by 400%, cut delivery lead time by 29% and achieved 98.5% on-time delivery and customer satisfaction scores of 99.
Hisense Visual Technology (Qingdao, People's Republic of China)
Operating in the mature TV market, the company faced rapidly evolving consumer demand alongside growing cost competition. In this environment, Hisense Qingdao faced challenges in its product development, processes, cost control and manufacturing. To address these, the site adopted AI, big data, simulation and large-scale Virtual Reality (VR) throughout its new product R&D and manufacturing. Its digital transformation resulted in Hisense Qingdao achieving an NPS of 84%, reducing R&D cycles by 34% and lowering material costs by 18%, and new employee training time by 60%.
Distinction in Productivity
This award recognizes operational sites for achieving exceptional performance in cost and quality through technology-enabled transformation, improving asset utilization, worker enablement and resource management.
The new Productivity Lighthouses are:
ACG Packaging Materials (Shirwal, India)
Operating in a highly competitive and increasingly commoditized packaging market, ACG Packaging Materials Shirwal faced sustained pressure on cost, agility and quality. The site responded by deploying more than 30 digital use cases, leveraging the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), generative AI, machine learning and digital twin technologies. As a result, lead times were reduced by 40%, raw material costs by 20%, defects by 71% and energy consumption by 31%, while on-time delivery in full improved by 34%.
Bristol Myers Squibb (Devens, United States)
Bristol Myers Squibb's Devens site, a specialist in complex biologics and cell therapies, aimed to overcome the scientific complexity and variability inherent to its business which is based on living cells. Building on traditional methods, the site merged biopharma science with AI and digital strategies to create more than 30 new use cases. This approach boosted the company's performance, resulting in a 42% reduction in New Product Introduction (NPI) time, a volume increase of over 40%, and a cut in emissions of more than 40%.
EVE Energy (Jingmen, People's Republic of China)
As global competition intensifies in the battery consumer market, manufacturers face growing pressure to deliver higher quality consistency alongside significant cost-performance improvements. In response, EVE Energy Jingmen deployed over 40 digital solutions, applying AIoT, simulation, LLMs, and AI across operations. These systems enabled real-time quality diagnosis, process self-optimization and predictive maintenance, leading to significant performance gains, including reducing the defect rate by 52%, lowering unit conversion costs by 41% and boosting average overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) to 88%.
Faurecia Automotive Systems (Yancheng, People's Republic of China)
As Asia's largest automotive slide production site, Faurecia Yancheng faced persistent challenges from high quality costs and intense market price pressure. To overcome this, the site launched a digital initiative, deploying over 40 advanced use cases, leveraging machine learning, deep learning and generative AI to create a multimodal quality control system. The system was designed to address complex, multi-sensory challenges including noise, leading to a significant reduction in quality costs and overall cost pressure. The system resulted in a cut to customer complaints by 94%, with the associated costs down by 62.5%. Scrap costs were reduced by 75.8% and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) increased by 10.2%.
Ford Otomotiv San. A.S. (Yenikoy, Türkiye)
Facing global disruptions, rising customization demands for commercial vehicles and fluctuating market dynamics, Ford Otosan Yenikoy established a fully connected, data-driven value chain. The site deployed over 60 in-house digital solutions, using IoT, AI, machine learning and digital twin technologies within a unified data architecture to enable real-time data flow. This initiative allowed the factory to double its production volume, increase complexity twelve-fold, raise labour productivity by 44% and achieve a 6% quality improvement.
Haier Strauss Science & Technology (Qingdao, People's Republic of China)
To enhance product reliability and capture China's healthy drinking water market, Haier Qingdao needed to overcome quality, productivity and cost challenges associated with a complex product portfolio. To solve these, the company deployed AI algorithms and 32 digital technology solutions such as adaptive temperature control for carbon rod sintering and auto-repair for Reverse Osmosis membrane adhesive defects. Along with the use of SKU-level demand forecasts for auto-replenishment, Haier Qingdao achieved a 40% reduction in defect rates, a 72% drop in quality costs and a 53% reduction in inventory turnover days.
HiTHIUM Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. (Chongqing, People's Republic of China)
The energy storage battery industry is facing unprecedented pressure: rapid demand growth of 48.5% CAGR, a price drop of more than 60% and the need for cell quality consistency with a performance coefficient of variation (COV) of less than 0.3%. HiTHIUM responded to this challenge by targeting three areas: near-zero defects, cost reduction and intelligent operations. By deploying more than 40 digital solutions - leveraging generative AI, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) technologies - HiTHIUM achieved a boost to premium product ratio to 97.6% while cutting conversion costs by 37% and increasing throughput by over 200%. In addition, overall equipment effectiveness rose by 13.4 percentage points.
Huafon Chongqing Spandex Co., Ltd. (Chongqing, People's Republic of China)
To meet customers' growing demand for customization and higher product quality despite a rapid decline in market prices, Huafon Chongqing Spandex implemented 62 digital applications. These included AI-driven high-precision process optimization, virtual sensing, AI visual inspection, digital twin technology, robotics, IoT and big data analysis. The site's digital transformation has led to a 35% decline in quality defect rate, a 60% increase in labour productivity and a 113% increase in net profit margin.
Kunlene Film Industries (Suzhou, People's Republic of China)
Global food brands' demand for recyclable packaging using mono-materials with freshness protection is rising, as is the need for fast, small-batch delivery. To meet the sector's needs, Suzhou Kunlene, an Indonesian SME in China, developed more than 30 in-house digital use cases, ranging from AI-powered R&D to data-driven process control. The initiative resulted in shortening R&D lead time by 45%, fixing chronic film-break and oil-stain issues and reducing defects by 31%. It also cut the minimum order size by 83% and enabled monthly product launches, showcasing how digital technology can propel SMEs to compete on a global scale.
Michelin Shenyang Tire Co., Ltd. (Shenyang, People's Republic of China)
Driven by the rising new energy vehicle (NEV) market and its need for customized tyres, Michelin Shenyang saw its NEV tyre portfolio grow by 340% to over 250 SKUs. This rapid expansion put pressure on its high-speed automated production line, requiring greater agility, smaller batch sizes, faster new product introduction (NPI) cycles and higher quality. Michelin Shenyang met these challenges by deploying over 30 digital solutions, using AI, machine vision and big data. Its digital transformation boosted flexibility, trial efficiency and quality, resulting in a 71% reduction in minimum order quantity, a 51% cut in trial lead time and a 36% drop in the defect rate.
Siemens Numerical Control Ltd. (SNC) (Nanjing, People's Republic of China)
Siemens Numerical Control (SNC) Nanjing operates in a highly variable manufacturing environment, managing high-mix, low-volume orders with monthly line changes and delivery timelines compressed from 45 days to 10. In response, SNC Nanjing launched a coordinated digital transformation, supported by a comprehensive toolkit spanning end-to-end digital twin technology, modular automation, advanced manufacturing operations and more than 50 AI-driven use cases. The initiative reduced lead time by 78%, accelerated time-to-market by 33%, lowered field failures by 46% and boosted productivity by 14%. It also benefitted SNC's sustainability performance thanks to a 28% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions.
SOCAR Carbamide (Sumqayit, Azerbaijan)
Since 2022, geopolitical tensions have disrupted regional food supply chains, driving an urgent need for fertilizer and complicating the supply of natural gas, a primary raw material. Operating at near-maximum capacity, SOCAR Carbamide needed to improve efficiency to expand output and contribute to regional food security. In response, the plant deployed 42 digitally enabled use cases, supported by an in-house AI-machine learning engine, to enable closed-loop autonomous process control and strengthen workforce support through generative AI and robotics. This initiative increased production throughput by 21% and improved natural gas efficiency by 24%.
Unilever (Pondicherry, India)
Unilever Pondicherry, a strategic site in South India, faced rising demand and product complexity driven by accelerating innovation cycles. To overcome operational challenges in throughput, quality and flexibility, the site adopted digital solutions such as ML-driven process control and changeover optimization as well as AI-powered autonomous trouble-shooting and manpower forecasting. Its digital transformation enabled 25% volume growth, 23% defect reduction and a threefold increase in product variants within existing production capacity.
Yueda Textile (Yancheng, People's Republic of China)
The textile industry faces rising demands for quality and cost efficiency but remains constrained by labour-intensive, experience-based operations. To comprehensively tackle these challenges, Yueda Textile implemented 23 digital use cases including smart logistics, digital traceability and AI-driven performance management. Its digital transformation enabled the site to move to data-based operations, boosting productivity by 421%, reducing defects by 90% and cutting conversion costs by 26%.
Distinction in Supply Chain Resilience
This award recognizes operational sites for achieving exceptional performance in service and agility through supply-chain transformation (planning, fulfilment, logistics, etc.), enhancing transparency and working capital management.
The new Supply Chain Resilience Lighthouses are:
Midea Kitchen & Bath Appliances (Wuhu, People's Republic of China)
Midea Wuhu faced mounting complexity from a five-tier distribution network and small-batch orders, alongside rising consumer expectations for shorter lead times and improved service quality. To address these, the company engineered a direct-to-consumer value chain with the help of 113 digital use cases, 35% of which were AI-driven. Key solutions included real-time customer order management, an AI-enabled advanced planning & scheduling (APS) system and a supply chain 'control tower'. Adding to this were AIGC-powered assistance to enhance delivery and installation service quality. The initiative delivered an improved consumer experience with three major gains: a 39% reduction in end-to-end delivery lead time, a 30% drop in inventory days and an 86% reduction in the market defect rate.
Unilever (Hefei, People's Republic of China)
Traditional multi-tier distribution models face growing constraints in e-commerce environments characterized by volatile demand, compressed delivery timelines and sustained cost pressure. To address these challenges, Unilever Hefei FTC distribution centre transitioned to a factory-to-consumer model, supported by 31 digitally enabled use cases, 65% of which are driven by AI and generative AI. The approach enabled capabilities such as daily demand forecasting, inventory decision-making, intelligent picking and AI-supported warehouse management. This transformation improved forecasting accuracy by 39%, reduced lead times by 75% and lowered operating costs by 24%.
Distinction in Sustainability
This award recognizes operational sites for achieving industry-leading reductions in energy, emissions, water and waste through advanced solutions in pursuit of a holistic set of net-zero, decarbonization and circularity goals.
The new Sustainability Lighthouses are:
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (Yibin, People's Republic of China)
For the world's largest battery production site, rapid expansion brought a major challenge: rising carbon emissions, high energy use and an increasing value-chain carbon footprint and manufacturing costs. To solve this, the site combined an AI-driven energy transformation, micro-grid photo-voltaic storage, process innovation and low-carbon product R&D. The initiative resulted in a 56% reduction in carbon footprint and helped 13 suppliers achieve carbon neutrality certification, cutting annual Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 16% and Scope 3 emissions per unit output by 45%.
Foxconn Industrial Internet (VietNam) Co. (Bac Ninh, Vietnam)
Foxconn Industrial Internet Viet Nam (Fii VN) is a key hub for the company's supply chain resilience. Yet, it faced net-zero challenges across its value chain, with Scope 3 at 27% upstream - of which 70% come from 128 small and medium-size suppliers (SMEs) - and 36% downstream. Fii's customers aim for 50% material circularity and 100% renewable energy by 2030. To address this, Fii VN Bac Ninh deployed more than 20 digital solutions, including AI-driven green design to reduce the carbon footprint of its bill-of-materials, a generative AI carbon accounting platform for SMEs and Omniverse + AI for energy efficiency. This initiative resulted in cutting Scope 3 emissions by 22% and Scope 1 and 2 by 34%.
Unilever (Gandhidham, India)
Operating in the water-scarce region of Kutch, Unilever Gandhidham has implemented a transformation focused on two critical sustainability topics: Climate and Nature. The initiative applied AI, digital twins and IIoT across the end-to-end supply chain to improve water stewardship, enable traceable palm oil sourcing, support sustainable formulations and refrigerants, strengthen disruption management and implement digitally-enabled aquifer recharge. As a result, the site cut water use by 17%, saved 6.12 billion litres of community water, reduced waste by 48%, lowered Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90% through a transition to renewable energy, and contributed to a 12% reduction in Scope 3 emissions in the India Personal Care business, while supporting 24% growth for the site.
Distinction in Talent
This award recognizes operational sites for achieving transformative impact on the workforce through advanced solutions in work design and safety, talent planning, attraction and onboarding, development and effectiveness.
The new Talent Lighthouses are:
AUO Corporation (Suzhou, People's Republic of China)
AUO Suzhou (AUOSZ), which employs nearly 10,000 staff, experienced high staff turnover. This was attributed to insufficient focus on workers' needs, such as flexible working options, career development and mental health support. High attrition rates put pressure on recruitment, training, production and management. The company responded by implementing a range of digital solutions including AI interviews, digital training programmes, smart scheduling, and LLM-based emotional care. As a result, more than1,000 employees were upskilled in digital capabilities, over 500 digital projects launched, attrition reduced by nearly 70% and employee engagement rose by 11%. What is more, AUOSZ achieved a 29% boost in production, successfully positioning the workforce as a strategic asset.
Schneider Electric (Wuhan, People's Republic of China)
Schneider Electric increased automation at its Wuhan site by 55% and expanded its product portfolio by 239%, creating major talent challenges. Initially, only 20% of the workforce was skilled in automation, onboarding took 75 days and technician turnover hit 48%. The site responded with digital apprenticeships co-designed with schools, AI-driven personalized upskilling and a genAI-augmented maintenance workforce. These initiatives cut onboarding to 15 days, upskilled 56% of employees and reduced technician turnover by 42% over five years.
About the Global Lighthouse Network
The Global Lighthouse Network is a World Economic Forum initiative recognizing best-in-class operational sites and value chains that have achieved exceptional performance in productivity, supply chain resilience, customer centricity, sustainability and talent. The initiative was co-founded with McKinsey & Company and is counselled by an advisory board of industry leaders working together to shape the future of global manufacturing. The Advisory Board includes Aramco, Foxconn Industrial Internet, Koç Holding, McKinsey & Company, Schneider Electric and Siemens. Sites and value chains that join the network are designated by an independent panel of experts. The next round of applications to join the Global Lighthouse Network will close on 2 February 2026.
About the Annual Meeting 2026
The World Economic Forum's 56th Annual Meeting, taking place 19-23 January 2026 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, will convene leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society and academia under the theme, A Spirit of Dialogue. Click here to learn more.
