GITNUXREPORT 2025

Digital Transformation In The Heavy Industry Statistics

Most heavy industries prioritize digital transformation to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

49% of heavy industry companies in Europe are investing heavily in automation

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52% of heavy industry firms have deployed robotic process automation (RPA) for administrative tasks

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62% of heavy industry firms have increased their use of machine vision for quality inspections

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58% of heavy industry companies plan to adopt autonomous vehicles for logistics by 2026

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Only 35% of heavy industry companies currently use cloud computing for data storage and analysis

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80% of heavy industry companies experienced data silos before digital transformation efforts

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69% of heavy industry companies mention workforce reskilling as a challenge linked to digital transformation

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46% of heavy industry companies have experienced cyberattacks since digitization began, highlighting cybersecurity concerns

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76% of heavy industry companies plan to increase their digital transformation budget in the next 2 years

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52% of heavy industry companies cite challenges in data integration as a barrier to digital transformation

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72% of heavy industry companies have accelerated their digital transformation initiatives since 2020

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66% of heavy industry decision-makers identify digital transformation as a top strategic priority

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49% of heavy industry companies have adopted AI-based predictive maintenance

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54% of heavy industry companies plan to implement 5G connectivity within their facilities by 2025

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73% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as essential for sustainability goals

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74% of industry leaders believe digital transformation improves safety by enabling better real-time monitoring

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41% of heavy industry companies utilize big data analytics to optimize supply chains

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68% of companies in the heavy industry sector see digital transformation as a key driver for innovation

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60% of maintenance operations in heavy industry are now performed remotely via digital tools

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45% of heavy industry facilities use drones for inspections and monitoring

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82% of heavy industry companies see an increase in safety compliance after digital solutions implementation

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54% of heavy industry digital transformations involve AI and machine learning applications

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67% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as a way to improve supplier collaboration

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66% of heavy industry firms are exploring blockchain solutions for supply chain transparency

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53% of heavy industry companies use digital dashboards for real-time performance monitoring

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44% of heavy industry companies are using digital twins for predictive lifecycle management

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76% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as a means to achieve operational resilience

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54% of heavy industry companies report enhanced cybersecurity capabilities after adopting digital solutions

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49% of heavy industry companies have implemented digital warehouse management systems

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80% of heavy industry firms prioritize digital initiatives related to sustainability and environmental impact

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71% of companies in heavy industry view digital transformation as a way to increase competitive advantage

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55% of heavy industry organizations use digital simulation tools for product development

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58% of heavy industry firms investing in IoT for asset management see a 15-20% reduction in operational costs

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65% of plant managers reported an increase in production efficiency after implementing digital twin technology

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62% of heavy industry companies report faster decision-making processes due to digital solutions

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57% of projects implementing digital twins report a return on investment within 12 months

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70% of heavy industry companies report a decrease in emissions after digital process improvements

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59% of heavy industry companies report that digital transformation reduces downtime

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61% of heavy industry companies have seen improved product quality due to digital technologies

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48% of heavy industry companies have experienced improved energy efficiency with digital tools

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73% of operators believe digital transformation improves safety and reduces accidents

Statistic 42

63% of heavy industry organizations see digital transformation as a way to meet regulatory compliance more effectively

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68% of heavy industry companies have increased their use of data analytics to improve maintenance scheduling

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81% of heavy industry executives believe IoT enhances asset utilization rates

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55% of heavy industry firms have integrated augmented reality for maintenance training

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69% of heavy industry organizations have increased their use of cloud-based collaboration platforms

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55% of heavy industry companies report higher workforce productivity due to digital initiatives

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60% of heavy industry companies are investing in digital skills training for their workforce

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Key Highlights

72% of heavy industry companies have accelerated their digital transformation initiatives since 2020
66% of heavy industry decision-makers identify digital transformation as a top strategic priority
58% of heavy industry firms investing in IoT for asset management see a 15-20% reduction in operational costs
49% of heavy industry companies have adopted AI-based predictive maintenance
65% of plant managers reported an increase in production efficiency after implementing digital twin technology
54% of heavy industry companies plan to implement 5G connectivity within their facilities by 2025
73% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as essential for sustainability goals
Only 35% of heavy industry companies currently use cloud computing for data storage and analysis
80% of heavy industry companies experienced data silos before digital transformation efforts
74% of industry leaders believe digital transformation improves safety by enabling better real-time monitoring
62% of heavy industry companies report faster decision-making processes due to digital solutions
55% of heavy industry firms have integrated augmented reality for maintenance training
49% of heavy industry companies in Europe are investing heavily in automation

As the heavy industry sector accelerates its digital revolution, over 70% of companies have transformed their operations since 2020, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like IoT, AI, and digital twins to boost efficiency, safety, and sustainability in a competitive global landscape.

Automation

49% of heavy industry companies in Europe are investing heavily in automation
52% of heavy industry firms have deployed robotic process automation (RPA) for administrative tasks
62% of heavy industry firms have increased their use of machine vision for quality inspections

Automation Interpretation

With nearly half of Europe's heavy industry companies investing heavily in automation, more than half adopting robotic process automation, and over 60% leveraging machine vision for quality, it's clear that the heavy industry is shifting gears from rugged manual labor to a future where efficiency and precision rule the factory floor.

Automation, and Digital Technologies Implementation

58% of heavy industry companies plan to adopt autonomous vehicles for logistics by 2026

Automation, and Digital Technologies Implementation Interpretation

With over half of heavy industry companies set to embrace autonomous vehicles for logistics by 2026, it's clear that even the most steel-hearted sectors are gearing up to navigate the future with a driverless edge.

Challenges, Barriers, and Future Intentions

Only 35% of heavy industry companies currently use cloud computing for data storage and analysis
80% of heavy industry companies experienced data silos before digital transformation efforts
69% of heavy industry companies mention workforce reskilling as a challenge linked to digital transformation
46% of heavy industry companies have experienced cyberattacks since digitization began, highlighting cybersecurity concerns
76% of heavy industry companies plan to increase their digital transformation budget in the next 2 years
52% of heavy industry companies cite challenges in data integration as a barrier to digital transformation

Challenges, Barriers, and Future Intentions Interpretation

Despite a burgeoning commitment to digital transformation—with 76% planning increased budgets—heavy industry’s slow adoption of cloud computing, persistent data silos, workforce reskilling hurdles, and cybersecurity threats underscore that digitization is as much about overcoming internal barriers as it is about embracing technological change.

Digital Transformation Adoption and Strategy

72% of heavy industry companies have accelerated their digital transformation initiatives since 2020
66% of heavy industry decision-makers identify digital transformation as a top strategic priority
49% of heavy industry companies have adopted AI-based predictive maintenance
54% of heavy industry companies plan to implement 5G connectivity within their facilities by 2025
73% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as essential for sustainability goals
74% of industry leaders believe digital transformation improves safety by enabling better real-time monitoring
41% of heavy industry companies utilize big data analytics to optimize supply chains
68% of companies in the heavy industry sector see digital transformation as a key driver for innovation
60% of maintenance operations in heavy industry are now performed remotely via digital tools
45% of heavy industry facilities use drones for inspections and monitoring
82% of heavy industry companies see an increase in safety compliance after digital solutions implementation
54% of heavy industry digital transformations involve AI and machine learning applications
67% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as a way to improve supplier collaboration
66% of heavy industry firms are exploring blockchain solutions for supply chain transparency
53% of heavy industry companies use digital dashboards for real-time performance monitoring
44% of heavy industry companies are using digital twins for predictive lifecycle management
76% of heavy industry firms see digital transformation as a means to achieve operational resilience
54% of heavy industry companies report enhanced cybersecurity capabilities after adopting digital solutions
49% of heavy industry companies have implemented digital warehouse management systems
80% of heavy industry firms prioritize digital initiatives related to sustainability and environmental impact
71% of companies in heavy industry view digital transformation as a way to increase competitive advantage
55% of heavy industry organizations use digital simulation tools for product development

Digital Transformation Adoption and Strategy Interpretation

Amidst an industry-wide digital upheaval fueled by AI, 5G, and big data, heavy industry companies recognize that embracing innovation isn't just a competitive advantage but a necessity for safety, sustainability, and resilience in the modern era.

Industry Performance and Outcomes

58% of heavy industry firms investing in IoT for asset management see a 15-20% reduction in operational costs
65% of plant managers reported an increase in production efficiency after implementing digital twin technology
62% of heavy industry companies report faster decision-making processes due to digital solutions
57% of projects implementing digital twins report a return on investment within 12 months
70% of heavy industry companies report a decrease in emissions after digital process improvements
59% of heavy industry companies report that digital transformation reduces downtime
61% of heavy industry companies have seen improved product quality due to digital technologies
48% of heavy industry companies have experienced improved energy efficiency with digital tools
73% of operators believe digital transformation improves safety and reduces accidents
63% of heavy industry organizations see digital transformation as a way to meet regulatory compliance more effectively
68% of heavy industry companies have increased their use of data analytics to improve maintenance scheduling

Industry Performance and Outcomes Interpretation

Digital transformation in heavy industry isn't just accelerating efficiency and slashing costs—it's steadily shifting the sector toward safer, greener, and more agile operations, demonstrating that embracing digital can transform obstacles into opportunities for sustainable growth.

IoT

81% of heavy industry executives believe IoT enhances asset utilization rates

IoT Interpretation

With 81% of heavy industry executives touting IoT’s ability to boost asset utilization, it’s clear that embracing digital transformation isn’t just a trend—it's becoming the engine propelling the heavy industry into smarter, more efficient horizons.

Workforce and Operational Efficiency

55% of heavy industry firms have integrated augmented reality for maintenance training
69% of heavy industry organizations have increased their use of cloud-based collaboration platforms
55% of heavy industry companies report higher workforce productivity due to digital initiatives
60% of heavy industry companies are investing in digital skills training for their workforce

Workforce and Operational Efficiency Interpretation

Despite the rough terrain of traditional heavy industry, over half of firms are donning digital hard hats—leveraging AR, cloud collaboration, and upskilling—to steer productivity and innovation into the future.