Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, and Roca Group, a global leader in bathroom space solutions, have partnered to digitally transform Roca’s global business, targeting improvements in energy efficiency, operations, and sustainability.
With a diverse international network of factories, Roca Group saw the opportunity to define a unified digital model tailored to various industrial realities. The collaboration with Schneider Electric enabled the creation of a robust roadmap focused on efficiency, connectivity, and operational resilience.
The Schneider Electric Advisory Services team led a structured approach through phases: diagnosis, strategy definition, global model design, implementation, and scaling. This methodology aligned digital transformation with Roca Group’s strategic and operational goals, ensuring scalability. Implemented solutions include AVEVA MES and AVEVA System Platform for real-time production monitoring, quality control, and decision-making. Furthermore, Power Monitoring Expert and AVEVA PI System are used for contextualized energy tracking, precise consumption management, and compliance with international standards like ISO 50001.
The ambitious project is already delivering tangible results at a pilot site in Cantanhede, Portugal. Improvements include a 2.1% improvement in operational equipment efficiency (OEE), a 1.86% reduction in energy consumption per ton produced, and annual savings equivalent to more than 4,400 work hours thanks to process automation and increased team autonomy.
Friedrich Richter, Senior Vice President for Services, Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, said:
“Partnering with Roca Group on this global digital transformation journey is a powerful example of how digitalization and sustainability can work in synergy to deliver measurable, scalable results in real industrial environments. This collaboration highlights how strategic consulting and advanced digital solutions can drive meaningful progress, accelerating both operational efficiency and emissions reduction across Roca’s global footprint.”
Jacques Nieuwland, Director of IT and Digital Transformation at Roca Group, commented:
“This program not only improves our operational indicators but also reinforces our commitment to a smarter, more responsible industry.”
Miquel Barahona, Director of Manufacturing at Roca Group’s Faucet Competence Center, added:
“Digital transformation with Schneider Electric empowers our teams at every level. From operators to plant managers, everyone now has access to more agile tools, accessible data, and a shared performance vision. It’s changing how we work.”
Transformation Aligned with Sustainability
After strategic visits to Schneider Electric’s Lighthouse factory in Le Vaudreuil, France, and digital maturity assessments in Portugal and Germany, Roca Group defined a core digital model to be deployed in two pilot factories. At the Cantanhede faucet plant, advanced solutions were implemented that transformed operational and energy management.
This digital evolution aligns with Roca Group’s environmental commitments, placing sustainability at the core of its industrial growth. In 2024, the company received the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, ranking among the top 1% of companies globally in sustainability.
According to Carlos Velázquez, Sustainability Director, this recognition stems from active listening, continuous learning, and decisive action. Roca has launched over 150 global decarbonization projects, including the world’s first emission-free sanitary porcelain factory in Gmunden, Austria.
Progress toward climate goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative includes:
- 53% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2018
- Over 21 GWh of clean energy used annually
- 100% renewable electricity in all European operations from 2025 for at least a decade
Next Phase: Global Scaling
Following the successful pilot in Cantanhede, Schneider Electric and Roca Group are now working to roll out the model to additional industrial sites in Anadia (Portugal), Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Austria, and Switzerland. The goal is to scale across Roca’s 80+ global factories, building a more connected, efficient, and resilient production network.
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