What kind of industrial logistics does smart manufacturing demand?

Smart manufacturing is the operational evolution of Industry 4.0: factories that collect and connect data in real time to orchestrate production, quality, maintenance and planning as one unified system. According to Deloitte’s2025 Smart Manufacturing and Operations Survey, based on the responses of 600 executives from major manufacturing companies, 92% of participants see it as the main driver of competitiveness over the next three years. This transformation also redefines the role of logistics and transport. Without a supply chain that is connected, automated and flexible, the smart factory cannot deliver on its promise.

What does smart manufacturing mean for Industry 4.0 logistics and transport?

1. More data, greater visibility across the supply chain

Smart manufacturing cannot function without data – and the same is true for the logistics that supports it. While 57% of manufacturers already use cloud technologies and advanced analytics to optimize processes inside the plant, that transparency must extend across the entire logistics chain: warehouses, transport routes and delivery points. Only then can companies achieve true end-to-end visibility, knowing where each component is, when it will arrive and in what condition.

In this context, real-time visibility is no longer a value-added extra but an operational requirement. With connected systems and synchronized inventories and production, information flows seamlessly. This enables companies to reorganize processes, anticipate stockouts or activate alternative routes in the event of disruption.

2. Automation beyond the factory floor

Automation is no longer confined to production lines. According to Deloitte, 46% of companies see it as a priority over the next two years – and part of that effort is already flowing directly into logistics. Order picking, sorting, internal movements, loading and unloading and even route planning are processes now being reshaped by automated and robotic systems, designed to bring greater speed and agility to operations that once relied heavily on manual labor.

Automation is also transforming digital transport management and delivery tracking. Optimization algorithms and intelligent platforms are helping to cut lead times, reduce errors and respond quickly to shifts in demand. In Industry 4.0, where the smart factory sets the pace of production, automated logistics has become the critical gear that keeps that rhythm from breaking.

3. Building more resilient transport in a volatile environment

The shift toward smart manufacturing also carries its risks. In fact, 65% of surveyed executives identify operational risk management as one of their top concerns. Complex transformations bring operational risks that directly affect how logistics flows are managed.

To address this, companies need transport networks that are both robust and adaptable, able to withstand disruptions or sudden spikes in demand. This means diversifying routes, rethinking logistical buffers and ensuring agile responses without compromising service quality.

4. New forms of collaboration between industry and logistics providers

The transition to smart manufacturing is also reshaping the relationship between industry and its logistics partners. Increasingly, companies are outsourcing critical areas such as analytics, cybersecurity or OT systems and this trend extends fully into transport and logistics. Here, it is no longer just about subcontracting a service on a case-by-case basis but about building real integration between both sides’ systems, teams and processes.

Industry 4.0 requires operators capable of connecting with digital platforms, sharing real-time data and coordinating decisions jointly. This closer collaboration allows industrial companies to focus on their technological core without losing control over physical flows, ensuring production and supply chains work seamlessly as one integrated system.

5. Logistics needs new skill sets

The shortage of personnel with the right competencies remains one of the biggest bottlenecks in Industry 4.0. In fact, Deloitte’s survey identifies human capital as the least mature area within smart manufacturing. Digitalization, automation and the need to operate with real-time data demand professionals who, beyond mastering traditional logistics processes, can navigate increasingly complex technological environments.

This requires bringing in hybrid profiles with technical, digital and operational training – people able to interpret data, manage connected systems and respond quickly to constant change. At the same time, companies must invest in internal training and embrace multi-skilling to make the most of their existing talent. In a sector undergoing profound transformation, continuous improvement will be the key to ensuring logistics can keep pace with the demands of Industry 4.0.

What does Rhenus bring to Industry 4.0?

●  TRW centres and platforms close to key industrial hubs

Our TRW centers represent a new approach to warehousing: they are not fixed, standalone spaces but nodes fully integrated into the transport network. Located in strategic areas close to major industrial and urban hubs, they enable companies to adjust capacity dynamically. This direct integration with the Rhenus transport network reduces handling, improves traceability and shortens delivery times – ensuring that the logistics chain keeps pace with the demands of Industry 4.0.

●  National and international transport connected to production and distribution

Our national and international transport network ensures that material and product flows move with the same agility as production itself. With multimodal solutions and coverage in all key markets, we support both component supply and final product distribution, maintaining continuity across the chain even in the volatile, globalized environments characteristic of Industry 4.0.

●  End-to-end supply chain management

At Rhenus, we support our industrial customers throughout every stage of their supply chain. We handle everything from the inbound flow of components and raw materials to the factory to the outbound distribution of finished products. In addition, we centralize value-added processes such as packaging, labeling, order preparation, kitting, relabeling, assembly, repair and returns management. This approach streamlines operations and shortens delivery times.

●  Full operational visibility

Our tools provide a unified view of operations with key indicators that support decision-making and help anticipate potential issues. By integrating logistics data with the customer’s own systems, we ensure precise control over every movement across the supply chain.

●  Expert teams in industrial logistics

We have specialized teams in industrial logistics who work closely with each customer to design customized solutions. Our sector expertise allows us to understand the specific requirements of industries such as automotive, chemicals, high tech or medical equipment and to deliver the right combination of processes, technology and responsiveness, positioning us as a strategic partner for customers navigating the Industry 4.0 revolution.

Smart manufacturing requires supply chains that can keep pace with the speed of the smart factory – more connected, more flexible and better able to adapt to the unexpected. At Rhenus, we combine infrastructure, technology and expertise to make industrial logistics a driver of competitiveness, not a barrier. If you would like to explore how this model could be applied to your operations, contact our team of experts to find the solution best suited to your needs.