Industry has always been about pushing boundaries, and over the past decade, Industry 4.0’s done just that with digitalisation, automation, and data. But as we face new challenges – think sustainability, workforce wellbeing, and resilience – it’s time for a shift. That’s where Industry 5.0 comes in, and here at Booth Welsh, we’re not just ready for it; we’re excited to help lead the way.

Booth Welsh team presenting Industry 5.0

We recently shared our take on this shift at two major events: the EUWIN Industry 5.0 Conference in San Sebastian and the Supply Chain Manufacturing Conference at the SEC in Glasgow. These gatherings brought together a mix of practitioners, academics, technologists and engineers to chat about what’s next for industry, and it’s clear: Industry 5.0 is no longer a distant idea – it’s here, and it’s reshaping how we work.

So, what is Industry 5.0? Simply put, it’s about putting people back at the heart of industry. Unlike Industry 4.0, which zoomed in on tech-driven efficiency, Industry 5.0 brings a balanced approach, making sure innovation serves the people who drive it, supports a sustainable planet, and builds resilience to future challenges. Instead of tech for tech’s sake, it’s tech that works with us, not around us.

Let’s break down some of the key shifts from Industry 4.0 to 5.0:

  1. People-First Approach: Industry 4.0 focused on making processes faster and more efficient. But Industry 5.0 is about finding that sweet spot where technology actually enhances people’s roles rather than sidelining them.
  2. Sustainability as Standard: In Industry 4.0, sustainability was often more of an add-on than a main focus. Industry 5.0 builds it into the core of the process, so growth and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
  3. Resilience over Pure Efficiency: Industry 4.0 was all about efficiency, but Industry 5.0 places its bets on resilience. Think of it as building systems and supply chains that are ready to adapt and bounce back, whatever the future throws at them.

At Booth Welsh, we’re all in on this change. Our work in people-centric design, sustainable engineering, and resilience-first strategies shows just how ready we are to make Industry 5.0 a reality. And sharing these insights at recent conferences gave us a chance to bring this message to a wider audience: Industry 5.0 isn’t just an idea – it’s a practical way forward, and it’s happening now.

Over the coming weeks, this blog series will dive deeper into the core pillars of Industry 5.0: People-Centricity, Sustainability, and Resilience. We’ll look at what it means to design with people at the centre, build operations that respect our planet, and set up processes to weather whatever challenges come our way.

Here’s to a new chapter for industry, one where innovation lifts people up, respects the planet, and builds a future we can rely on. We’re excited to share this journey with you, and together, we’ll make Industry 5.0 the way forward.