Digital Transformation Roadmap and Operational Excellence at Bahlsen Polska

The strength of Bahlsen Polska, a well-known Polish confectionery producer, lies not only in the unique taste of its products, but also in its consistent pursuit of the highest standards – recognized, among others, by the prestigious TPM Excellence Award, Category A, awarded by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance.

At Bahlsen, excellence isn’t a one-time project. The continuous improvement system, called B.Excellent, is firmly embedded in the company’s organizational culture. It is reflected in the daily effort to fulfill every order on time, ensuring top quality and optimal resource utilization.

From the very beginning, it was clear to Bahlsen that the foundation of operational excellence would be modern technologies – and the company approached their implementation strategically. With ImFactory’s support, Bahlsen conducted a digital maturity assessment using the ADMA methodology, which became the basis for developing the Digital Transformation Roadmap. The document identified key initiatives and provided a structured direction for the digital transformation.

Several projects have already been completed, and the first implementations have demonstrated the great potential of adopting a common AVEVA standard across the entire Bahlsen Group. The Roadmap is regularly updated, with new areas, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, added as needed. In this way, by ensuring continuous improvement with the support of its partners, Bahlsen takes its next steps toward building the digital factory of the future.

Industry: Food

Bahlsen Polska is a company with a long tradition and a well-established position in the Polish confectionery market. It has been operating in Poland since 1993, producing well-known pastries such as Krakuski, HIT, and Leibniz.

• Selecting modern tools that respond to evolving needs.
• Planning the digital transformation path.
• Ensuring coordinated development across all areas.
• Improving efficiency, quality, and safety throughout the supply chain.

• ADMA Scan to assess the organization’s digital maturity.
• Digital Transformation Roadmap developed together with ImFactory based on the results of the ADMA scan and a gemba audit. On this basis, 64 initiatives were defined across the areas of people, technology, and business, later expanded by an additional 28 initiatives in the areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Implementation of autonomous in-house transport (one of the initiatives outlined in the Roadmap).
• SCADA system pilot (one of the initiatives in the Roadmap).
• Workshops on AI, ML, and Industry 4.0 conducted by ImFactory at the ASTOR Technology Park.

• Identification of initiatives essential to becoming the factory of the future.
• Clear understanding of priorities and their scheduling over time.
• A long-term vision with clearly defined goals – by 2030, Bahlsen Polska aims to further enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.
• Implementation of the first initiatives:
  • an autonomous robot that assists operators by transporting heavy components;
  • a pilot implementation of the AVEVA platform.