Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy technologies, is deepening its collaboration with the World Economic Forum as part of a coalition of manufacturers, consultants, and technology partners working to accelerate the digital transformation of industry worldwide. Together, they are advancing the Lighthouse Operating System (Lighthouse OS), a framework built on proven and replicable methodologies designed to help manufacturers modernize their operations at scale.
Most manufacturers have already invested in digital transformation. However, only a few have managed to scale these changes. Pilot projects demonstrate success but eventually stall. The results achieved remain localized. The gap between the world’s most advanced factories and the rest of the industry continues to grow. The new framework presented today aims to bridge that gap.
Lighthouse Operating System (Lighthouse OS) is an open, practical model that transforms the proven practices of the world’s most efficient industrial sites into a structured path that any manufacturer can follow. Drawing on eight years of experience from the Global Lighthouse Network, Lighthouse OS was developed by the World Economic Forum’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains in collaboration with leading OEMs, end-users, and consulting firms. It provides companies with a clear roadmap for self-driven transformation—from their current state to true operational excellence—without the need to start from scratch or engage large teams of specialists.
A model based on real-world practical experience
Lighthouse OS is built around six key operational principles: adaptive and resilient processes, connected and transparent flows, end-to-end synchronization, integrated sustainability, a learning organization, and accelerated development of digital and data competencies. These principles are structured across five levels of operational maturity. Companies can assess their current level, identify priority areas for development, and scale changes at their own pace.
Unlike individual digital tools, this system is designed as a comprehensive approach that integrates digital innovation, sustainability, workforce development, and operational excellence into a single, cohesive model that delivers measurable and repeatable results.
Schneider Electric: Experience Integrated into the System, Not Added Later
Schneider Electric brings its own practical transformation experience to this initiative. For over two decades, the company has been refining an operating system that today underpins its position in the Gartner #Supply Chain rankings and nine WEF Lighthouse factories awards. It is this foundation—built on cutting-edge digital systems, AI-driven automation, and sustainability-by-design practices—that forms the basis of the Lighthouse OS framework.
Federico Torti, Head of Technology and Innovation at the World Economic Forum, noted:
“Many manufacturers have ambitions for transformation but lack a holistic path for its consistent and large-scale implementation. Lighthouse OS directly addresses this challenge: the system transforms the knowledge gained by the world’s top factories through years of operational experience into a practical model that any manufacturer can apply. The goal is to make Lighthouse’s level of efficiency a realistic target for the entire industry, not just its most advanced players.”
Cécile Vercellino, Senior Vice President of Services for the Industrial Automation division at Schneider Electric, commented: “Schneider Electric has undergone this transformation firsthand—in over 120 ‘smart’ factories and distribution centers. We know what works, where companies face challenges, and what it takes to move from isolated pilot projects to true systemic changes across the entire enterprise. It is this practical experience that is embedded in Lighthouse OS. Our organization is already applying these principles across our broader ecosystem and seeing measurable results.”
An open initiative built for growth
Lighthouse OS is designed with future evolution in mind. As global pilot projects are implemented and community feedback is incorporated into future versions, the initiative actively invites manufacturers, technology providers, and public sector partners to join the collaboration.
To learn more or join the initiative, visit: https://initiatives.weforum.org/lighthouse-operating-system/home.
Additional information:
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy technologies, driving efficiency and promoting sustainable development through the electrification, automation, and digitalization of industry, business, and residential spaces. The company’s technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and power grids to function as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing productivity, resilience, and sustainability.
The company’s portfolio includes smart devices, software-defined architectures, AI-based systems, digital services, and professional consulting services. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric consistently ranks among the world’s most sustainable companies. Learn more at https://www.se.com/ua/uk/
About the Lighthouse Operating System
The Lighthouse Operating System is a World Economic Forum initiative, in alignment with the Global Lighthouse Network, that defines a next-generation operating system for industry by codifying proven best practices from leading lighthouse enterprises and value chains. Its goal is to ensure operational excellence and scalable impact in the areas of productivity, supply chain resilience, customer focus, sustainability, and talent development.
The initiative aims to create a responsible operational model for industry, jointly developed by industry leaders and based on the principles of lean manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable development. At the same time, it forms a capability-building framework that will help governments accelerate the adoption of industrial technologies, enable scaling for small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthen national competitiveness.
At its core, the Lighthouse Operating System serves as a transformation engine built on a systematic approach to capability development. It integrates strategy, operations, and people into a cohesive, scalable model, transforming the best practices of lighthouse enterprises into practical framework solutions that can be implemented across various manufacturing sites and value chains.
The initiative is being developed by leading co-creators from industry, consulting, and the public sector, who are working together to shape the future of global manufacturing and operations.
According to Fixygen, the cryptocurrency market is ending the week on a downtrend: Bitcoin is hovering around $73,500, Ethereum around $2,000, while investors are reducing risk amid geopolitical tensions, outflows from crypto ETFs, and cautious expectations regarding U.S. interest rates.
As of May 29, Bitcoin was trading around $73,550, Ethereum around $2,000. During the day, BTC fell to $72,560, and ETH to $1,970, reflecting continued pressure on the largest crypto assets following a sharp deterioration in market sentiment.
The main external factor of the week was the escalation of geopolitical risks following U.S. strikes on Iran. Against this backdrop, investors shifted to safer assets, oil prices rose, and expectations for a Fed rate cut dimmed due to the potential for increased inflationary pressure. This was a negative combination for the crypto market, as digital assets remain sensitive to liquidity, interest rates, and risk appetite.
Over the week, Bitcoin shifted from cautious consolidation around $76,000 to a decline toward the $73,000 range. As recently as May 24, the market remained in a wait-and-see mode: BTC was trading near $76,000, Ethereum near $2,100, and market participants were assessing outflows from ETFs and the prospects for digital asset regulation in the U.S. By the end of the week, pressure intensified, and the recovery in demand from institutional investors proved insufficient to reverse the market trend.
Flows into exchange-traded funds became a significant factor. According to Farside Investors, on May 26, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a combined net outflow of approximately $648.6 million. The previous week also saw negative trends for these funds: on May 19, outflows totaled approximately $331.1 million; on May 20, $70.5 million; on May 21, $100.9 million; and on May 22, $105.2 million.
According to market estimates, the total outflow from cryptocurrency ETFs over the past two weeks exceeded $2.5 billion. This has become one of the key signals that institutional investors are temporarily reducing their exposure to digital assets amid high volatility and uncertainty in global markets.
Large holders exerted additional pressure on Bitcoin. According to the Economic Times, BTC consolidated around $73,600 amid increased activity from so-called “whales,” and outflows from large addresses reached their highest level since February. The market typically interprets this signal as a possible indication that major players are preparing to sell or reallocate their positions.
Ethereum also remained under pressure. The largest altcoin fell to around $2,000, and spot Ethereum ETFs, according to SoSoValue, recorded several consecutive days of net outflows in mid-May. ETH’s weakness heightened caution in the altcoin market, where investors typically reduce positions more quickly amid declining liquidity.
Among the largest cryptocurrencies, XRP and Solana were also under pressure. According to Barron’s, amid a deteriorating external environment, Ethereum fell more sharply than Bitcoin, while XRP and Solana also lost several percentage points. This confirms that the sell-off was broad-based rather than isolated and affected both core assets and riskier market segments.
A notable event of the week was Tether’s announcement of plans to launch a digital token pegged to the Georgian lari, with the support of the Georgian government. The project could become one of the rare examples of cooperation between a private stablecoin issuer and a government; however, details regarding the token’s structure and the role of regulators remain unclear.
Thus, the crypto market ends the week in a weak position. Short-term dynamics depend on three factors: whether outflows from ETFs continue or stop, investor reactions to geopolitical risks, and expectations regarding Fed interest rates. Until these factors provide the market with a sustainable impetus for recovery, Bitcoin remains in a zone of heightened volatility, while altcoins face even stronger pressure.
The cryptocurrency market remains one of the most volatile segments of global finance. Bitcoin and Ethereum hold the largest market capitalization shares among digital assets, and the launch of spot ETFs in the U.S. has strengthened the crypto market’s link to traditional financial markets, institutional capital flows, and monetary policy expectations.
The UK is considering introducing an additional tax on non-residents who own high-value residential property in the country, according to the Financial Times.
This involves a potential surcharge on the already approved luxury home tax, which is set to take effect in April 2028. The new levy will apply to properties valued at £2 million or more. The UK Treasury refers to the proposed additional measure as the “oligarch tax” or the “non-resident surcharge.”
Under the basic scale of the new tax, owners of homes valued between £2 million and £2.5 million will pay an additional £2,500 annually. For properties valued at up to £3.5 million, the levy will be £3,500; for those up to £5 million, £5,000; and for properties valued at over £5 million, £7,500 per year.
Initially, authorities estimated that the new tax on luxury housing would generate approximately £430 million annually for the budget. However, the introduction of an additional surcharge for non-residents could increase revenue. According to The Times, foreign and international owners may account for 25–35% of the approximately 165,000 properties that could potentially be subject to the new levy.
British authorities link the initiative not only to the need to replenish the budget but also to an attempt to ease pressure on the housing market, particularly in London. The Treasury is examining the extent to which demand from foreign buyers affects property prices and housing affordability for British households.
The new tax is officially called the High Value Council Tax Surcharge. It will apply to residential properties in England valued at £2 million or more. The Valuation Office Agency will be responsible for assessing the properties, and the surcharge itself will be collected alongside council tax but will go to the central budget.
The British luxury real estate market has traditionally remained one of the key sectors for international investors. The highest concentration of high-end housing is found in London and the southeast of England. Market experts warn that the new tax could increase pressure on the segment of properties valued at around £2 million, as sellers and buyers will seek to avoid falling into the new tax bracket.
Ukrzaliznytsia JSC announced a reduction in the number of passenger cars on trains serving routes with lower demand and their redeployment to routes with the highest demand.
“This allows us, given the shortage of rolling stock, to schedule additional trains and increase the number of cars on the most in-demand routes,” Ukrzaliznytsia stated in a Telegram post on Friday.
It is noted that seven train pairs will soon be transferred to daily service. Specifically, these include train No. 4/3 Uzhhorod – Dnipro, No. 86/85 Lviv – Zaporizhzhia, No. 128/127 Lviv – Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, No. 78/77 Kovel – Odesa, No. 88/87 Kovel – Dnipro, as well as trains No. 7/8 Kharkiv – Odesa and No. 121/122 Mykolaiv – Kyiv.
Among other things, the company is resuming service on train No. 143/144 Sumy–Rakhiv. Thus, the route will connect northern Slobozhanshchyna and Sivershchyna with the western part of the country and provide direct service between Sumy, Bilopillia, and Konotop and Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Yaremche, and Vorokhta.
In addition, Ukrzaliznytsia has scheduled an additional train No. 227/228 Kyiv–Chernivtsi between the capital and Bukovina, which will run every other day via Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kolomyia. The train will consist of open-seating, compartment, and SV (first-class) cars.
“Ticket sales for these scheduled trains will open in accordance with the trains’ running dates. The advance booking period depends on the specific route and ranges from 20 to 5 days prior to the departure date,” the company explained.
In January–March of this year, PJSC “Industrial and Manufacturing Enterprise ”Kryvbasvibuhprom” saw its net profit drop by 84% compared to the same period last year—to UAH 7.124 million from UAH 44.542 million.
According to the company’s interim report, available to the Interfax-Ukraine agency, revenue from ordinary activities for this period decreased by 34.4%—to UAH 269.883 million from UAH 411.670 million.
Retained earnings as of the end of March 2026 amounted to UAH 940.423 million.
According to the 2025 report, the company’s net profit last year increased by 20.8% compared to 2024—to UAH 185.845 million from UAH 153.893 million. At the same time, revenue from ordinary activities for this period increased by 18.3%—to UAH 1,751.775 million from UAH 1,480.669 million.
In 2024, the company reported a net profit of UAH 153.893 million, compared to UAH 95.121 million in 2023.
“Kryvbasvibuhprom” provides blasting services in the quarries of Ukraine’s mining enterprises. It is a major producer of emulsion and non-water-resistant explosives. The company’s operational chain includes storage, processing, transportation, and blasting operations themselves.
According to the State Registration Service data for the first quarter of 2026, Quarex Ltd (Cyprus) owns 93.1642% of the company’s shares, while umgi investments LLC of the SCM Group holds 6.5619%.
The authorized capital of Kryvbasvibuhprom is UAH 97.022 million, with a par value of UAH 1 per share.
The Ukrainian Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) advocates a return to a full food labeling regime to prevent future product counterfeiting and misleading consumer information, according to a statement from the Association.
In its view, at the start of the full-scale invasion, legislative changes that allowed labeling requirements to be suspended were justified; however, today enterprises in frontline regions have sufficient state support tools under the “Made in Ukraine” policy—specifically, compensation for equipment purchases, recovery programs, and property insurance.
Furthermore, even in areas close to the combat zone, manufacturers have the ability to establish stable supply chains and continue operations without the need to maintain simplified labeling requirements, the Association believes.
“At the same time, it is precisely in these regions that the activities of certain manufacturers of counterfeit products are currently being observed, who are effectively using the resolution as a tool to legitimize unscrupulous practices. Therefore, maintaining this regulation poses risks to public health, misleads consumers, and effectively creates favorable conditions for illegal business and food fraud,” the Association emphasizes.
As reported, on March 3, 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 186 “Certain Issues Regarding the Labeling of Food Products Under Martial Law,” which temporarily permits manufacturers not to update labeling in cases of forced changes to the recipe due to raw material shortages or supply issues.
