The Swiss Smart Factory – Study Tour welcomed delegates from Novation City, Tunisia for a five-day programme focused on smart manufacturing, industrial innovation, and advanced Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies. Hosted by the International Smart Factory Academy at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB), the programme combined strategic discussions, technical workshops, smart factory demonstrations, and company visits within the Swiss innovation ecosystem.

Participants explored the Swiss Smart Factory model through interactive sessions covering digital transformation, collaborative robotics, adaptive automation, and industrial innovation strategies. The programme included hands-on workshops such as the Digital Lean Workshop, technical deep dives into the SSF ecosystem, and demonstrations of the “Lighthouse Project Industry 4.0,” showcasing practical implementations of smart manufacturing technologies.

Key sessions addressed topics including business model alignment, cluster theory, collective intelligence, strategic research, digital product passports (DPP), and collaborative robotics for industry. Contributions from Swiss industry experts and technology leaders provided participants with direct insight into emerging industrial technologies and innovation-driven business models. Featured organizations included AICA, BloqSens AG, Beckhoff Automation, and the Swiss Cobotics Competence Center (S3C).

The programme also featured company visits to innovative Swiss industrial partners including Horage and RealWear, where participants explored applications of precision engineering, smart wearables, and industrial digitalization technologies. These visits provided valuable exposure to real-world innovation environments and advanced manufacturing practices within Switzerland’s technology ecosystem.

A dedicated roadmap discussion session focused on the future development of the Smart Factory Lab Tunisia, encouraging strategic dialogue and knowledge exchange between Swiss and Tunisian stakeholders. The programme supported international collaboration, capacity building, and the advancement of smart manufacturing initiatives within Tunisia’s growing innovation ecosystem.