On 16 June 2026, the research team from the Department of Management Process at the Krakow University of Economics advanced to the next critical milestone of the "Quality 4.0 Benchmarking Platform" project by conducting a site visit at the Hungarian division of AUMOVIO in Budapest. This visit to the technology giant, recently spun off from Continental AG, provided an unparalleled opportunity to gather comparative data on quality management within the high-volume automotive electronics sector (Automotive EMS).

Whilst the earlier phases of the project explored the agility of the SME sector, the visit to AUMOVIO’s Budapest complex offered a macro-scale perspective. The state-of-the-art production facility at Napmátka utca, combined with the onsite AI Development Centre, serves as an exemplary model of the highest level of digital maturity.

On 21 May 2026, representatives from the Department of Management Process at the Krakow University of Economics participated in an international study visit to the LAKUM - GALMA a.s. production facility in Humpolec, Czechia. The study visit was organised and conducted as part of the international research and development project titled "Quality 4.0 Benchmarking Platform".

LAKUM-GALMA specialises in advanced metal forming and surface treatment processes, including electrophoretic coating (KTL) and galvanisation for the automotive industry. The company serves as an outstanding European example of an SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) successfully implementing the Quality 4.0 paradigm on a major operational scale.

We are continuing our project with partners from the Czech Republic and Hungary. This time, the project leader is the Department of Quality Management at the Technical University of Ostrava.

The project focuses on the Quality 4.0 Maturity Model development and its practical deployment through a Quality 4.0 Benchmarking Platform in SME in the V4 region. The project promotes cross-border collaboration and networking among quality and IT experts from academia, SMEs, and technological start-ups across the V4 region and fosters knowledge sharing.

On 15 May, a group of scientists involved in the Improving quality management teaching in the era of Industry 4.0 project visited Magna's plant in Kechnec, Slovakia. Magna International is a leading global automotive supplier and has a significant position in the industry, offering complex systems and components. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the company's advanced manufacturing processes, innovative product development and its commitment to sustainability and technological innovation.

Magna International operates in 28 countries on five continents, providing a wide range of products and services, including vehicle engineering and manufacturing, body and chassis, and innovations in electric and conventional propulsion. Magna is known for its commitment to innovation, with a strong emphasis on green technologies and driver assistance systems. The company has received numerous awards for its contribution to the automotive industry.

The second Quality 4.0 international seminar, was held on May 16th, 2024, at the Technical University of Kosice, Slovakia. 

Operational technology (OT) cybersecurity is crucial for manufacturing companies, especially as they increasingly adopt connected systems and integrate IT (information technology) with OT. In summary, manufacturers must prioritize OT cybersecurity to safeguard product quality, prevent disruptions, and mitigate risks associated with cyber threats. Collaboration between IT and OT teams, risk assessment, and proactive security measures are essential for maintaining resilience in manufacturing environments. See the recording of the seminar.

On Tuesday, March 26th, 2024, a delegation of scientists from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia embarked on a significant visit to the IAC Group located in Hrušky. This visit constituted a pivotal component of our ongoing project. This visit was part of our Visegrad project "Improving quality management teaching in the era of Industry 4.0".

Under the guidance of Lukas Knap, the visiting researchers were privy to invaluable firsthand experiences showcasing the IAC Group's adept adoption of Industry 4.0 principles, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and bolstering quality assurance measures.

See the recording! Digitalization and new technologies are rapidly spreading throughout the world, specifically in business, industrial, and societal infrastructures.

On Wednesday, February 7th 2024, a group of scientists from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia had the opportunity to visit the Orion manufacturing plant of the Selena Group in Nowa Ruda. This visit was part of our project.

During the visit, hosted by Iwona Koptewicz, Barbara Dubiłowicz-Butkiewicz, and Marek Bielas, the researchers gained valuable insights into how Selena Group is embracing Industry 4.0 principles to achieve greater efficiency and quality control. They witnessed firsthand the implementation of:

We present the report "Evaluation of the current state of education on Quality 4.0". The aim of the research was to analyse the content of study programs oriented towards trends in quality management and formulate new strategies towards Quality 4.0 teaching. The important input for this study were two other outputs of the project “Improving quality management teaching in the era of Industry 4.0”: