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.
