Jan Burian

Jan Burian, a global manufacturing industry analyst, serves as the Head of Industry Insights at Trask. His expertise spans digital transformation, management, leadership, and the geopolitical influences shaping manufacturing and global supply chains. Prior to his role at Trask, Jan led Manufacturing Insights Europe at IDC and held consulting positions at EY and Deloitte.

Industrial Copilots: From Assistants to Essential Team Members
· Artificial Intelligence

Industrial Copilots: From Assistants to Essential Team Members

In recent years, AI has made significant strides in augmenting human capability across industries. Now, in manufacturing and industrial environments, we are witnessing the emergence of a new class of AI assistants—industrial copilots. These systems are designed not to replace humans, but to collaborate with them, assisting workers, engineers, and managers in navigating complex systems, […]

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A Source of Industry Inspiration: Inside Škoda Auto’s Manufacturing Transformation
· Discrete Manufacturing

A Source of Industry Inspiration: Inside Škoda Auto’s Manufacturing Transformation

Interview with Andreas Dick, Member of the Board for Production & Logistics at Škoda AutoŠkoda Auto, a Volkswagen Group brand, was founded in 1895—making it one of the oldest car manufacturers still in operation today. This year, Škoda celebrates its 130th anniversary, a milestone that honors not only its heritage but also its continued commitment […]

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From Legacy to Leadership: Building the Manufacturing Company of Today
· Hybrid Manufacturing

From Legacy to Leadership: Building the Manufacturing Company of Today

In today’s industrial landscape, there are only two kinds of manufacturing companies: those that turn data into value and competitive advantage—and those that don’t. Period.Yet many manufacturers remain stuck. Some are too focused on legacy processes and past decisions; others feel overwhelmed by the bold promises of the “Factory of the Future.” As a result, […]

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The Rise of AI Agents: Redefining Automation in Manufacturing
· Discrete Manufacturing

The Rise of AI Agents: Redefining Automation in Manufacturing

AI agents are rapidly transforming industries, and manufacturing is no exception. While initial applications focused on optimizing HR, finance, legal, and claims management, AI agents are now driving significant improvements in core manufacturing operations.These intelligent systems generally take two forms: Independent AI agents that operate autonomously, handling complex, end-to-end tasks with minimal human input. Collaborative […]

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The Digital Twin in Automotive: The Update
· Discrete Manufacturing

The Digital Twin in Automotive: The Update

Digital twin technology, a virtual replica of physical products, processes, and environments, continues to evolve in the automotive OEM sector. It now spans the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, from research and development, engineering, and manufacturing to logistics, sales, aftersales, usage, and disposal. The integration of digital twin technology—within the broader concept of the Industrial […]

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The Digital Twin in Automotive: The Update
· Discrete Manufacturing

The Digital Twin in Automotive: The Update

Digital twin technology, a virtual replica of physical products, processes, and environments, continues to evolve in the automotive OEM sector. It now spans the entire lifecycle of a vehicle, from research and development, engineering, and manufacturing to logistics, sales, aftersales, usage, and disposal. The integration of digital twin technology—within the broader concept of the Industrial […]

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Does ChatGPT Offer Real Value to the Supply Chain?
· Connected Industry

Does ChatGPT Offer Real Value to the Supply Chain?

Testing the capabilities of ChatGPT, an AI-trained model that interacts in a conversational way, has become something of a global sport since it was launched at the end of November 2022. Business people, consultants, writers, analysts, lawyers and many others have been pushing this new AI brain to its limits. Something exceptional is going on […]

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