Booth Welsh recently introduced a new content series, discussing the shift from Industry 4.0 towards Industry 5.0. As well as adding emerging technologies, industry 5.0 adds three pillars of People Centricity, Sustainability and Resilience. You can read our introduction and outline here: What is Industry 5.0? A New Way Forward for Industry : Booth Welsh
To kick start the conversation, our CEO Martin Welsh, has written a blog focusing on the pillar of Resilience.
“I was fortunate to attend the EUWIN Industry 5.0 Conference in San Sebastian a few weeks back with Workplace Innovation Europe, a network partner of the Bridges 5.0 project commissioned by the EU. When reflecting upon the event and the important conversations happening live in the room, I wanted to share my thoughts on the shift from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 to build resilience in an anecdotal way using cars as an analogy.
Shifting Gears from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 to Build Resilience
Many businesses, including ours, are already on this journey towards Industry 5.0. It’s not a new industrial revolution but more of a shift in our approach to working with technology, not only for profit, but for the benefit of all. From lessons learned during the pandemic and all the global changes we see happening ever more regularly, we are committed to helping build more sustainable and resilient businesses with people in the driving seat. From deploying new, ever more connected, digital systems to the monitoring, controlling, and reducing of carbon emissions, and minimising waste, we see driving responsible growth at the core of our transition to Industry 5.0.
Our commitment to being part of this shift is grounded in collaboration with industry peers, government, and academia. We’re thrilled to help shape a future where technology and humanity work together to engineer a better, more sustainable world which is our exact mission at Booth Welsh.
As anyone who knows me knows I like my cars and I always have. I still love a manual gearbox, however I do recognise that technology has evolved over the years, and I have moved with the times. Shifting technology does take time and the end result is always different, but each new advancement builds on the legacy of previous innovations.
At Booth Welsh, we believe that the journey from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 is not only a shift in technology but also a shift in thinking—a move from digital transformation to more human-centric, resilient and sustainable innovation. As we “shift gears” into 5th, I’m excited about the potential this brings.
What does Industry 5.0 mean for us? It’s about balancing cutting-edge technology with human creativity, achieving sustainable growth, and driving positive environmental impact. It’s a focus we have previously mentioned in our Environment 4.0 blogs and presentations, a step in this direction in preparing us for the Industry 5.0 era.
Resilience:
As Booth Welsh moves from Industry 4.0 to 5.0, we’re not only picking up speed by shifting into “5th gear”, we’re also reinforcing our resilience, ensuring that we can navigate new challenges while maintaining a smooth and stable ride.
Just like a car that relies on adaptive suspension and stability control to handle whatever the road ahead throws at it; our approach to Industry 5.0 involves strengthening our adaptability and resilience. This is about preparing our systems and people to handle changing conditions, sustainably and confidently.
By embedding this resilience into our business, we are creating a robust foundation for this transition allowing us to accelerate without losing control.
Resilience means adapting to change, learning from past experiences, and staying stable in uncertain times. Industry 5.0 offers us the opportunity to enhance our adaptability and agility, ensuring we’re ready to tackle complex challenges sustainably and collaboratively.
Our Journey: So, the shift from Industry 4.0 to 5.0 isn’t just a technical transformation; it’s a cultural one. We have placed a strong emphasis on culture and engagement, ensuring that our team is at the centre of our innovation. This focus allows us to make this transition smoothly, with the energy and drive to tackle the opportunities ahead.
Thought Leaders, Not Experts: We recognise that Industry 5.0 is still an evolving field, and we’re eager to learn and collaborate. Recently, we shared insights and engaged with peers at the EUWIN Bridges 5.0 event in San Sebastián and at the recent Scottish Supply Chain Manufacturing Event in Glasgow, where our message of this subtle shift to Industry 5.0 resonated strongly.
Looking Ahead:
So, Industry 5.0 isn’t just the next step in digital transformation—it’s a shift in how we work and live. As EUWIN highlights, it moves beyond the tech focus of Industry 4.0 to put people and the planet at the heart of innovation. Imagine a workplace where technology doesn’t just automate tasks but makes our jobs more meaningful, supports our well-being, and helps us grow. It’s about creating sustainable, human-friendly systems that work smarter, not harder—embracing green practices and building resilience for the future.
As we continue this journey, I’m excited to see where Industry 5.0 will take us and our clients. By staying true to our values of collaboration, resilience, and responsible growth, Booth Welsh is ready to drive positive change, ensuring that technology serves humanity for a better, sustainable future.