Indian pharma facility joins WEF's Global Lighthouse

ACG, a global leader in integrated solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, has achieved a significant milestone by joining the prestigious Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The WEF’s GLN comprises manufacturers showcasing leadership in using Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to revolutionise factories, value chains, and business models, resulting in compelling financial and operational returns. The GLN, which has grown from 16 to 153 lighthouses since its inception, represents a collaborative effort between WEF and McKinsey & Company, with an independent panel of experts designating factories and value chains for inclusion.

ACG's capsule manufacturing facility in Pithampur, India, underwent a robust audit of over 25 use cases, demonstrating excellence in technology-enabled operations. This recognition places ACG among the 153 lighthouses in the GLN, showcasing exponential growth in the network. The certification not only reflects the manufacturing of superior quality products but also underscores the transformation of operations, setting new benchmarks for timely production. ACG’s Pithampur factory has exemplified accelerated deployment of GenAI, addressing the evolving skill sets of manufacturing employees through a remarkable Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and policy interfacing with Gen AI.

Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG Group, expressed pride in the team's commitment to digital transformation over the past six years. He highlighted ACG's dedication to deploying Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance productivity, transform operations, and ultimately make high-quality capsules more accessible globally.

The Pithampur factory, known for its accolades, including LEED Gold certification in 2014, incorporates green features that promote sustainability. Balajikasiram Sundararajan, Chief Digital Officer at ACG Group, provided insights into the enterprise-wide digital transformation program, ‘Build the Future’. The program focuses on transforming operations, building smart connected products, enhancing customer experience, and developing digital-led business models.

Sundararajan emphasised that ACG has actively developed and implemented state-of-the-art solutions powered by digital technologies, ranging from Industrial IoT and machine learning to cloud computing and digital twins. These solutions have enabled ACG to better serve its global customer base, solving critical customer-centric business problems.

Kiva Allgood, Head of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains at the WEF, praised the GLN for exemplifying the power of digital transformation. The lighthouses within the GLN strategically weave innovation throughout their expansive network, sculpting both a sustainable future and an era of transformative and lasting change.

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