What's next in Operations? Evolution or Revolution? | White Paper

Benchmarking Study 2025 | A Closer Look at the Future of Operations

The Benchmarking Study, now known as the Permanent Observatory ’What’s Next in Operations?’, provides a biennial snapshot of the maturity level of Italian companies across five strategic areas: Operational Excellence, Supply Chain, Digital Transformation, Sustainability, and Human Resources.

This study, conducted in 2025 on a sample of over 100 companies across 22 industrial sectors—85% of which were represented by C-level executives—provides a detailed picture: solid in Operations and Sustainability, but still marked by a significant digital divide. Italian companies demonstrate good maturity in Operations (71%) and strong awareness in Sustainability (89%). However, an alarming digital divide emerges: with an average Digitalization Score of just 48%, digital transformation is the area with the greatest potential for improvement. Only 4% of the companies analyzed are true Smart Factories.

Some Key Findings:

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence remains limited: 55% of companies have not yet implemented it, 34% have started or partially implemented it, and only 3% use it in a consolidated manner or are constantly improving their use of it.

Industrial processes among companies in Italy—including procurement, inbound and outbound logistics, and production—demonstrate good operational maturity (71.1%) and a clear strategic vision: 62.1% of companies report having an Operational Excellence program, and 75.1% plan over horizons exceeding three years. The priority objectives are: to differentiate through product innovation, services, and quality (88%), to optimize processes to reduce product costs (83%), and to accelerate time-to-market (72%).

HR remains a strategic pillar of industrial transformation, with an average maturity level of 58% and an upward trend. Training programs focus on technical skills (88%), soft skills (77%), sustainability (63%), and new technologies (63%), with a growing emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (40%).

Download the full analysis now for data-driven decisions

This White Paper contains details of all consolidated results. Your essential tool for:

1. Objectively benchmark yourself against the Italian market.
2. Define an effective transformation roadmap.
3. Shift future objectives from mere cost reduction toward Value, Innovation, and Customer Experience.

Fill out the form and receive the White Paper immediately – OPEX 2025 RESULTS – to turn the key findings into a tangible competitive advantage for your company.