Mastering change: Future-proof your industry 

While some companies have already adapted and are seeing clear results, others are still working with disconnected systems and outdated processes, slowing them down and increasing their costs. 

This article explores what future-proofing really means for industrial businesses today. With insights from René Dahmen, Commercial Director Industry, we look at how digital transformation industry trends reshape the sector.  

We examine the challenges, share real-world examples, and show how practical, data-driven industrial manufacturing solutions can help companies move forward with more confidence. 

You’ll find: 

• A clear overview of current trends impacting industry 
• Real examples of what transformation looks like in practice 
• Advice on how to go from vision to execution 
• Insights into how Haskoning supports at every stage 
• Why collaboration is one of the most important success factors. 
 

Why now is the time to move forward 

Many organisations are asking the same questions. How do we modernise without disrupting core operations? Where do we start? What will make the most impact?

Meanwhile, expectations are rising. Environmental standards are becoming stricter. Artificial intelligence, maintenance automation, and predictive maintenance industry tools are becoming more common. Customers expect greater transparency and quicker results. And with supply chain and logistics solutions under pressure and investment decisions needing to be made faster, the ability to adapt quickly is becoming a business requirement. 

Global investment in digital transformation industry reached 1.85 trillion dollars in 2022 and is expected to nearly double by 2027, reflecting a strong and ongoing commitment across industries to accelerate digital progress. Companies that have already taken steps toward better data structure, simulation, and automation are seeing faster timelines, improved decision-making, and lower costs.

From vision to delivery 

Plenty of companies have a strategy on paper. The real challenge is turning that into day-to-day change. Without the right support, many digital initiatives stall before they show results. 

That’s why we focus on digital transformation within the context of capital project consultancy, bridging the gap between planning and doing. Using our Business Transformation Planning (BTP) framework, we help clients turn strategic goals into measurable actions through data-backed insights and practical tools. 

Take, for example, a recent simulation of a new facility. Initial assumptions pointed to delays at the loading docks, but a deeper simulation revealed the real constraint: a narrow doorway. Identifying this early on avoided redesigns and helped keep the timeline intact, saving time and costs under increasingly tight project margins. 

Another case involved a feasibility study for a baby formula factory. It resulted in sharper investment decisions, early risk mitigation, and a shorter payback period. These are critical factors for companies needing to move fast while meeting strict compliance standards. 

Support from start to finish 

Every transformation starts with questions. Can we make this work? What will it cost? How do we manage the risks? 

We help answer those questions early through feasibility studies, risk assessments, and investment analysis, all tailored to capital project contexts. 

From there, we move into design and delivery. Our experts bring deep knowledge across engineering, food and beverage production, industrial project management, and supply chain consulting. Throughout this process, digital tools like simulation and digital twins are not delivered as stand-alone products; they are embedded within our consulting and engineering work to shape smarter, data-informed decisions. 

For instance, our long-term partnership in the pharmaceutical industry shows how strategic engineering support helped standardise operations across locations, meet regulatory requirements, and control costs in a tightening market. 

Whether it’s reducing opex, improving warehouse flow, or compressing decision timelines, we focus on impact. A great example: Britvic used predictive simulation to boost supply chain performance and reduce uncertainty, resulting in faster, more confident investment decisions.

What sets Haskoning apart 

Our approach combines deep industry experience with practical digital tools. We’ve spent decades designing and optimising complex operations, which gives us an edge when it comes to solving real-world problems through engineering for industry. 

We support our clients through every phase, from industrial project definition and strategic planning to implementation and continuous improvement. A clear example is our sustainable logistics strategy for Intergamma, where logistics improvements were aligned with environmental objectives. The result: more flexibility, lower operational costs, and a setup that can better respond to changing conditions. 

We also work across functions. That means connecting supply chain, engineering and digital specialists both inside our own teams and within our client organisations. Many companies are still organised in silos, which slows progress. We help bring the right people together to move faster and work smarter with the best supply chain logistics solutions. 

Looking ahead, together 

As market demands grow and conditions shift, digital transformation efforts are no longer something to postpone. The organisations that act quickly and make smarter decisions will be best placed to stay competitive. 

A structured approach is essential. That’s why we use the Business Transformation Planning (BTP) framework, a proven model that helps organisations move from ambition to execution. BTP offers a clear model for translating strategic goals into actionable steps, aligning people, processes and digital tools across the business. It provides structure, clarity and momentum at a time when decisions need to be made fast and change needs to stick. 

Learn more about our BTP approach in the Valuable Digital Twins iReport. 

Increasingly, companies also want a digital counterpart to their physical assets. That’s why we support both: the facility itself and its digital twin, built in parallel. This twin becomes the structured foundation for data-driven decision-making and the future application of AI. Without accurate, accessible models of their facilities, organisations can’t fully benefit from the AI revolution. Our dedicated team of digital twin specialists ensures the groundwork is laid to manage assets smarter, anticipate problems earlier, and adapt faster. 

This kind of collaboration fuels real progress, supporting goals like enabling net zero, industrial decarbonisation, and a more sustainable production environment. And that is something we want to continue strengthening. 
 

Let’s shape the future together 

Digital transformation is not a quick fix. It’s a long-term effort that requires commitment, collaboration and continuous improvement. We see this more clearly every day. It’s a shared process, one that applies to our clients and to us.