Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa***** Sárvár, Date: 11-13th June 2025.
[industry 4.0 conference]
industry 4.0
Industry 4.0, digitization, automation.
They are the most frequently quoted expressions in the field of technology, but what do these terms mean in the practice of industrial companies? At the Smart Factory ConnAction conference, you can familiarize yourself first-hand with domestic manufacturing companies that are already at the forefront of the introduction and application of IT, human resources, and management tasks and processes related to Industry 4.0, and they can’t wait to share their experiences with you.
Factory visits, case studies, and interactive workshops
This year, we are also trying to provide inspiration for the introduction of Industry 4.0, and we will also speak frankly and openly about the difficulties and pitfalls.
With our Com-Forth Team we welcome all returning guests and new interested parties for the 11th time at one of the most defining professional events of Industry 4.0.
You can get a first-hand insight into Industry 4.0 solutions applied in practice from keyplayers in various industries. Presentations showcasing real experiences, round table discussions on exciting topics, and interactive workshops await you on site, and you can gain new experiences up close during factory visits.
We provide a unique opportunity for networking. You can get acquainted with notable speakers and a wide range of almost 200 professionals active in the industry. You can share your experiences and be inspired by each other’s stories. Among our exhibitors, you can meet numerous potential partners who can support your work and goals with added value. Interactivity is supported by the EventMobi application.
The Wednesday afternoon programme is dedicated to small group (12–15 people) professional workshops. We have selected a variety of topics this year again. Select the most relevant for you and sign in using the application. We are counting on your active participation.
The 10,000 m2 wellness area of the Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa will ensure that you can relax alongside the professional programmes. On Thursday, we will dedicate a special time to this, so that you have time to process all the information you will receive. And on Friday - true to tradition - we invite you to run together again this year!
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[Where will we be?]
Location
The Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa in Sárvár, renovated in recent years, is Hungary's most exclusive 5-star hotel, located in the immediate vicinity of the picturesque Seven Lakes. It offers modern rooms with a special atmosphere, a 10,000 m2 Oasis wellness and spa area and a spa centre.
Booking
Please note that accommodation is not included in the conference fee. You can book your accommodation individually at your own expense. You can read more information about it in our confirmation letter.
Dress code
Business Formal or Business Casual
9:00 - 13:00
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Founded in 1976, the brand is present in 60 countries around the world with premium quality baby products. MAM Baby soothers, bottles and other baby products, with their innovative design and high level of product safety, are mostly produced in the MAM factory in Vaskeresztes.
The implementation of their MES system started in 2020, with all production lines connected by 2023 and full functionality expected to be achieved this year. The factory visit will provide an insight into the different painting, assembly and packaging operations of MAM Baby products, the special laboratory testing methods and the operation of their MES system.
9:00 - 13:00
Production of various automotive sensors began at the Veszprém site in 1994. Since becoming part of the Continental Group in 1997, the plant has undergone continuous development and has grown into one of the leading suppliers and developers in the automotive industry.
During the factory tour, participants will gain insight into the operation of highly automated production lines—supported by robots and AGVs—manufacturing ABS, position, and battery sensors. The visit will cover the full process, from electronic component production through mechanical assembly to packaging. The tour also includes an introduction to various Industry 4.0 applications that support and optimize manufacturing processes.
9:00 - 13:00
Flex is a global technology and manufacturing company with a presence in over 30 countries worldwide. Its core activities include the design, manufacturing, and servicing of electronic devices. The company serves leading players across a wide range of industries—from automotive and consumer electronics to healthcare.
The Flex plant in Sárvár is a key site within the company’s Hungarian network. The facility focuses primarily on plastic injection molding, assembly, testing, and packaging of electronic products, utilizing modern technologies and a high level of automation. The factory plays a prominent role in the region’s economy and is known as a major employer.
This factory visit offers an opportunity to gain insight into Flex’s operations and to see how advanced and efficient manufacturing is implemented at a local site of a global enterprise.
14:00 - 15:30
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15:30 - 18:00
15:30 - 18:00
18:15 - 18:30
18:30 - 20:00
Who’s already using real AI-based solutions—and how much of it is just for show? Where does it actually pay off, and where doesn't it? This discussion aims to explore how to move beyond endless pilot projects and start creating real value with AI in manufacturing.
18:30 - 20:00
With digitalisation, we are opening more and more doors - but do we know how many we have forgotten left open? What is the reality: zero trust or zero budget?
18:30 - 20:00
Do we choose an off-the-shelf solution that we tailor for production, or do we develop our own software from scratch? Where is the line between customisation and over-complication? And what is no/low code worth in an industrial environment?
OEE should tell us how effective our production really is — but does it? Real-time, machine-level data collection sounds great in theory, but often runs into legacy systems, noisy signals, and integration headaches. On top of that, inconsistent definitions and the urge to “look good” on dashboards can turn OEE into a vanity metric. Let’s talk about how to make OEE meaningful, measurable, and actually useful in real production environments.
18:30 - 20:00
What does true sustainability mean in manufacturing? How can ESG goals, production pressures, and energy efficiency be aligned?
18:30 - 20:00
Everyone knows someone whose project ended in a spectacular failure. A MES that never worked, an AI attempt that always suggested the wrong decision. In this conversation, we'll get to the most memorable (or painful) “a friend of mine had a...” stories - we can all learn a lot from them.
8:30 - 9:15
9:15 - 9:30
9:30 - 9:55
Industrial digitalization hasn't brought salvation — just a new kind of problems. Sensors are speaking, AI is listening, auditors are asking… and the old SCADA still runs on Windows XP. We’re collecting more and more data, connecting every machine to the network — but at the same time, leaving more doors open to attackers. Will we pass a NIS2 or ESG audit? Passing is nice — but it doesn’t mean the factory is truly (cyber)secure or sustainable. Compliance can’t be the goal — only the starting point. It’s time to ask the real question: are we building truly smart factories — or just making them look smart from the outside?
9:55 - 10:20
This presentation uses real-world examples to show how specific IT and engineering solutions can improve OEE, reduce scrap, and shorten cycle times. It also highlights how digitalization supports effective data collection and analysis — and how this data can be turned into actionable insights to drive improvements in manufacturing.
10:20 - 10:45
10:45 - 11:10
Data is no longer just information — it’s a strategic asset. But it only becomes truly valuable if it’s collected and used within a lawful framework.
Digital solutions aimed at measuring manufacturing efficiency — whether through access cards, biometric identification, or video surveillance — often fail not due to technological limitations, but because of legal constraints. Monitoring employees and evaluating their performance is a sensitive area: it’s not just the data that matters, but how that data is used.
This presentation doesn't aim to discourage, but to support informed, legally compliant implementation. What does the regulation allow? What risks should be considered already in the planning phase? And how can data be collected and used in a way that is both legally and ethically defensible?
11:10 - 11:40
11:40 - 12:05
12:05 - 12:20
Bottling, packaging or assembly—whatever your line looks like, real-time OEE monitoring reveals where performance is lost and how to win it back. Learn how smart data collection and clear KPIs for availability, performance and quality empower both operations and management to reduce downtime and maximize productivity. Fast insights. Better decisions. Tangible results.
12:20 - 12:40
The presentation showcases how the principles of industrial digitalization and Industry 4.0 can be implemented using Beckhoff automation technology. It provides a detailed overview of the role Beckhoff devices play in building intelligent, flexible, and data-driven manufacturing systems.
12:40 - 13:00
István Hagen’s perspective on his presentation:
“I would like to provide a clear, logical explanation of why it makes sense to embark on the journey toward NIS2 compliance. Many organizations — especially SMEs — are still unaware, or choose to ignore, that based on their activities and national legislation, they are legally required to comply with NIS2 and relevant member state regulations.
In my presentation, I’ll outline what I mean by the evolution of IT security, and how organizations can — and should — take a step-by-step approach to reach the level of cyber resilience expected by legislators.
I also want to dispel the myth that anyone starting from scratch can build the necessary organizational, technological, and security-awareness competencies overnight. That’s simply not realistic. But I will offer some practical guidance on where to begin, how to move forward, and what the target should look like — so that success no longer feels out of reach.”
13:00 - 14:20
14:20 - 14:40
We’re digitalizing and automating — but are we truly moving in a human-centered direction?
In a nationwide survey, we asked Hungarian industrial companies about their level of digital and automation maturity, the tools they use to support operators, and the extent to which employees are involved in development and implementation processes.
The results paint a nuanced picture of current practices and offer valuable insights for shaping future developments.
14:40 - 15:00
For new employees, assigning them to workstations that match their capabilities is critical — especially in a changing industrial environment where new skills are needed to perform tasks efficiently. By creating a competency profile, it becomes possible to map a worker’s skills and match them to suitable processes, reducing training time and improving production efficiency. Designing tasks and environments that align with individual competencies is key to enabling truly human-centered manufacturing.
15:00 - 15:20
From the very beginning, the acatech Industry 4.0 maturity model has put a strong emphasis on the human side of the factories of the future: the improvement of organisational and cultural capabilities. This presentation focuses on the so far neglected side of this model. It will lift the veil on the results of the first round of research that started in March this year: is there a correlation between digital maturity and the organisational and cultural maturity of a company?
15:20 - 15:45
15:45 - 16:15
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LOCATION 1: In-house Agility vs. Outsourced Efficiency – What Works in Smart Factories?
Who should build the factory of the future? The supplier, with up-to-date knowledge and broad experience — or the internal team, with deep process know-how? Where is the balance when we’re navigating between two extremes: custom-built but fragile solutions on one side and overpriced off-the-shelf systems on the other?
Moderators: Attila Vincze (Howmet), András Sós (Com-Forth)
LOCATION 2: Operator 4.0 – The Realities of Human-Centered Manufacturing
Why Do We Need Human-Centered Systems? Are truly human-centered systems achievable in the context of Hungarian manufacturing? How do we define the operator of today? These are just some of the questions we will explore during this interactive workshop.
Moderator: Dr. Tamás Ruppert, Pannon University
LOCATION 3: Industrial Competitiveness Starts with Analytics
Maintaining competitiveness in modern industry requires efficient, data-driven operations. Beckhoff Analytics offers industrial analytics solutions that enable companies to proactively improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize energy consumption. This workshop aims to demonstrate how the Beckhoff TwinCAT Analytics solution facilitates real-time data processing, predictive maintenance, and process optimization, directly contributing to increased production performance and profitability.
Moderator: Szabolcs Ardai, Beckhoff Automation Kft.
LOCATION 4: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Logistics – Opportunity or Threat?
What kind of decisions can we safely delegate to algorithms?
Can facial recognition cameras or other biometric technologies be used in industrial environments?
How is AI different from traditional software – and why does this matter in practice?
Join us for an open discussion with practical examples, real-world dilemmas, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing!
Moderator: Dr. Ágota Albert, 4-IN-1 Szolgáltató Kft.
LOCATION 5: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing – Opportunities and Challenges
How can we create real value in production using AI? How do services like predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, quality control, production optimization, and improved asset management help us achieve meaningful and relevant KPIs instead of just collecting data?
Moderator: Miki Bata, Sigma Technology
16:15 - 16:45
LOCATION 1: In-house Agility vs. Outsourced Efficiency – What Works in Smart Factories?
Who should build the factory of the future? The supplier, with up-to-date knowledge and broad experience — or the internal team, with deep process know-how? Where is the balance when we’re navigating between two extremes: custom-built but fragile solutions on one side and overpriced off-the-shelf systems on the other?
Moderators: Attila Vincze (Howmet), András Sós (Com-Forth)
LOCATION 2: Operator 4.0 – The Realities of Human-Centered Manufacturing
Why Do We Need Human-Centered Systems? Are truly human-centered systems achievable in the context of Hungarian manufacturing? How do we define the operator of today? These are just some of the questions we will explore during this interactive workshop.
Moderator: Dr. Tamás Ruppert, Pannon University
LOCATION 3: Industrial Competitiveness Starts with Analytics
Maintaining competitiveness in modern industry requires efficient, data-driven operations. Beckhoff Analytics offers industrial analytics solutions that enable companies to proactively improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize energy consumption. This workshop aims to demonstrate how the Beckhoff TwinCAT Analytics solution facilitates real-time data processing, predictive maintenance, and process optimization, directly contributing to increased production performance and profitability.
Moderator: Szabolcs Ardai, Beckhoff Automation Kft.
LOCATION 4: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Logistics – Opportunity or Threat?
What kind of decisions can we safely delegate to algorithms?
Can facial recognition cameras or other biometric technologies be used in industrial environments?
How is AI different from traditional software – and why does this matter in practice?
Join us for an open discussion with practical examples, real-world dilemmas, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing!
Moderator: Dr. Ágota Albert, 4-IN-1 Szolgáltató Kft.
LOCATION 5: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing – Opportunities and Challenges
How can we create real value in production using AI? How do services like predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, quality control, production optimization, and improved asset management help us achieve meaningful and relevant KPIs instead of just collecting data?
Moderator: Miki Bata, Sigma Technology
16:45 - 17:15
LOCATION 1: In-house Agility vs. Outsourced Efficiency – What Works in Smart Factories?
Who should build the factory of the future? The supplier, with up-to-date knowledge and broad experience — or the internal team, with deep process know-how? Where is the balance when we’re navigating between two extremes: custom-built but fragile solutions on one side and overpriced off-the-shelf systems on the other?
Moderators: Attila Vincze (Howmet), András Sós (Com-Forth)
LOCATION 2: Operator 4.0 – The Realities of Human-Centered Manufacturing
Why Do We Need Human-Centered Systems? Are truly human-centered systems achievable in the context of Hungarian manufacturing? How do we define the operator of today? These are just some of the questions we will explore during this interactive workshop.
Moderator: Dr. Tamás Ruppert, Pannon University
LOCATION 3: Industrial Competitiveness Starts with Analytics
Maintaining competitiveness in modern industry requires efficient, data-driven operations. Beckhoff Analytics offers industrial analytics solutions that enable companies to proactively improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize energy consumption. This workshop aims to demonstrate how the Beckhoff TwinCAT Analytics solution facilitates real-time data processing, predictive maintenance, and process optimization, directly contributing to increased production performance and profitability.
Moderator: Szabolcs Ardai, Beckhoff Automation Kft.
LOCATION 4: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Logistics – Opportunity or Threat?
What kind of decisions can we safely delegate to algorithms?
Can facial recognition cameras or other biometric technologies be used in industrial environments?
How is AI different from traditional software – and why does this matter in practice?
Join us for an open discussion with practical examples, real-world dilemmas, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing!
Moderator: Dr. Ágota Albert, 4-IN-1 Szolgáltató Kft.
LOCATION 5: Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing – Opportunities and Challenges
How can we create real value in production using AI? How do services like predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, quality control, production optimization, and improved asset management help us achieve meaningful and relevant KPIs instead of just collecting data?
Moderator: Miki Bata, Sigma Technology
17:15 - 17:30
18:00 - 19:30
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The sauna ritual begins at 7:00 PM. The program is available to Spirit Hotel guests or for an additional fee.
20:00 - 22:00
At our gala dinner accompanied by live music, you'll be treated to dishes prepared from high-quality ingredients.
During the evening, the Com-Forth Band—formed by members of the organizing company, Com-Forth Kft.—will also take the stage!
21:00 - 21:15
Winners' announcement of the quiz.
7:00 - 7:30
Meeting is at the reception at 7:00 a.m.. We plan to run for about 30 minutes.
9:15 - 9:45
9:55 - 10:00
10:00 - 10:10
Start your day with a game of Bingo – test your luck for a chance to win one of our surprise prizes!
The rules will be explained at the beginning of the game, and we’ll provide the bingo cards on site.
10:15 - 10:50
The presentation explores the dynamics between market demand and available production capacity, focusing on how these factors shift over time, leading to imbalances—and how a manufacturing company can respond effectively.
The central theme is human resource management: how to align the workforce with changing market trends through medium-term strategic planning and adaptive solutions.
Through practical examples, the presentation highlights methods for addressing sudden surges in capacity demand in the short term.
Together, these insights demonstrate how Herend’s production approach has evolved—from a manufacturing-driven attitude to a more customer-centric production mindset.
10:50 - 11:10
At Schneider Electric’s Duna Smart Power Systems (DSPS) factory, green energy, sustainable operations, and low energy costs go hand in hand with continuous data collection and analysis — leading to daily efficiency gains. The result is an agile production process that evolves constantly, without pause.
This isn’t the future — it’s already here, made possible by existing technologies and proven in practice.
Gergely Smeller, who leads the industrial process management at Schneider Electric DSPS, will share the details.
11:10 - 11:40
11:40 - 12:05
12:05 - 12:30
Contractual Requirements, Auditability and Survival Strategies in the Maze of Digital Compliance
Industrial companies are increasingly facing stricter cybersecurity requirements due to the NIS2 directive – yet compliance often puts the burden not on the customers, but on their suppliers. This presentation explores how to strike a balance between legal obligations, technical realities, and sustainable partnerships – especially when contractual expectations go beyond what is practically feasible.
12:30 - 13:00
Participants: Gábor Németh (Foxconn), Attila Vincze (Howmet), Viktor Péczeli (Continental)
13:00 - 14:00
[Apply today!]
The Smart Factory ConnAction conference has grown in interest as the years go by. More and more participants from a wider and wider range of backgrounds choose to join us for these three days. Participation is subject to registration and the participation fee is as follows:
[Our key partners]
Partners
