Smart Manufacturing Discussed at St. Petersburg State University with the FBA EAC Committee on Science and Education Support
On February 26, 2026, at St. Petersburg State University of Economics, a panel session titled "Smart Manufacturing: Technologies, Strategies, and Solutions" was held as part of the Second All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation "Technological Leadership and Effective Solutions". The session was co-organized by the FBA EAC Committee on Science and Education.
The session was chaired by Anna Bezdudnaya, Deputy Head of the FBA EAC Committee on Science and Education, Head of the Department of Management and Innovation at St. Petersburg State University, Doctor of Economics, Professor, and Ivan Kozlov, IT Director of LATEO Group.
Digital transformation of production is a critical factor in achieving technological leadership and enhancing economic competitiveness. The concept of "smart" manufacturing aims to develop flexible, efficient, and adaptive production systems capable of rapidly responding to demand fluctuations, managing small batch and customized orders, while maintaining high productivity.
Digital technologies play a pivotal role in smart manufacturing, including the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, predictive modeling, real-time monitoring systems, and artificial intelligence (AI). Their integration significantly reduces downtime, optimizes equipment utilization, enhances energy management, improves product quality, and increases transparency in decision-making processes. Smart manufacturing is becoming an essential prerequisite for maintaining industrial competitiveness.
The session participants identified several challenges and limitations associated with the implementation of smart manufacturing, such as high capital investment requirements, resistance to organizational change, susceptibility to cyber threats, and the necessity for standardizing and harmonizing production solutions tailored to industry-specific needs. To address these challenges, targeted government support and coherent corporate digital transformation strategies are essential, encompassing the development of managerial and engineering skills.
During the session, participants discussed key issues including:
— formulation of principles and strategies for government support in implementing digital solutions in production processes;
— development of the structural framework for "smart" production in contemporary economic conditions;
— methods for reducing hidden losses and integrating lean manufacturing principles within a digital environment;
— utilization of artificial intelligence to transform production systems and control mechanisms;
— training requirements for managerial and engineering staff in smart manufacturing practices.
The discussion featured contributions from distinguished experts, including Dhiraj Kumar, Dean of Academic Affairs at the World University of Design (India, online), Rajesh Verma, Professor at the Mittal School of Business, Lovely Professional University (India, online), Ivan Kozlov, IT Director of LATEO Group, Alexey Ryabov, CEO of Coding Tim LLC, Roman Smirnov, CEO of Poultry Farm JSC, Roman Tsygankov, Director of Information Technology at Avtozavod Saint Petersburg, Roman Shepelev, Deputy General Director for Information Technology at Gazprom Transgaz Tomsk, and Oleg Yaroslavtsev, an expert in business systematization, digital transformation, and project management, founder of the YAROSLAVTSEV GROUP.
The FBA EAC Committee on Science and Education consistently organizes events to facilitate dialogue between the business community and educational institutions on critical issues related to personnel training and the adoption of advanced technologies in production. The Committee's initiatives are aimed at creating conditions for the supply of industry with qualified specialists capable of addressing the tasks of technological advancement in the country.