Transforming European manufacturing with tailored Salesforce solutions

According to Deloitte’s 2024 EMEA Manufacturing Survey, most industry leaders aim to pursue growth, reduce operational costs, and accelerate digitalisation to tackle mounting challenges. Innovation and sustainability remain high on their strategic agendas, too.

Their feedback points to a clear path forward: it’s time to replace disconnected systems and outdated processes with modern digital solutions. This approach can boost operational efficiency while ensuring real-time visibility into production performance and supply chain health.

Salesforce provides the tools you need to embrace digital transformation. Here’s what you should know about its role in the manufacturing industry—and the difference it can make.

The European manufacturing landscape in 2025

Manufacturers across Europe are under pressure to innovate while maintaining resilience and compliance in an increasingly demanding environment. In addition to operational challenges, they face cybersecurity threats, staff shortages, and uncertainty over trade barriers. For example, 50% of the senior leaders surveyed by Deloitte reported using external resources to complement their workforce. Organisations in the manufacturing sector are also navigating five big forces, each pushing them toward smarter and more agile ways of working. These trends present both challenges and opportunities, reshaping the industry as we know it.

1.  Increasing regulatory scrutiny: Compliance is no longer a side process but a core business function with legal, financial, and operational ramifications. What makes it so challenging is the growing complexity of regulatory changes, as well as the pace at which these changes are taking place, particularly in areas of sustainability, product safety, and data protection. The legal directives concerning AI don’t make things any easier. Additionally, manufacturers must navigate intricate compliance requirements that vary by country and industry.
2. Supply chain transformation: Recent global disruptions have uncovered the fragility of traditional supply chains. As a result, European manufacturers are now prioritising operational visibility and long-term resilience. For instance, the Russo-Ukrainian War is disrupting the availability of raw materials. Ukraine is a leading supplier of neon gas and other materials, while Russia exports metals like palladium and aluminium. The war between these countries triggered immediate disruptions in European aerospace, electronics, and automotive supply chains, causing manufacturers to reassess their sourcing strategies, strengthen supplier relationships, and diversify material sources. The ripple effects extend to manufacturers in other sectors as well, such as those using electronic components in their products.
3. Sustainability imperatives: Driven by customer expectations and public initiatives like the European Green Deal, sustainability in manufacturing is emerging as a key differentiator rather than just a compliance benchmark. The shift to more sustainable practices involves high upfront costs but delivers long-term gains in efficiency, brand equity, and regulatory resilience.
4. Digital threading: Leading manufacturers are connecting data across the entire product lifecycle—design, production, and service—to unlock valuable insights that were previously inaccessible.This approach allows them to spot operational inefficiencies or other issues early and fix them faster. At the same time, it ensures a 360-degree view of the product lifecycle, which can lead to faster innovation and improved collaboration across teams and departments.
5. Workplace revolution: With changing demographics and skill requirements, European manufacturers are seeking new ways to attract talent, preserve institutional knowledge, and enhance workforce productivity. For example, some manufacturing companies introduced mobile-first solutions, remote monitoring, and self-service HR tools to make factory work feel modern and flexible.

Industry-specific digital transformation: examples and case studies

The path to digital transformation looks different for each manufacturing segment. Let’s explore how tailored Salesforce solutions are addressing the unique needs of discrete, process, and automotive manufacturers across Europe.

Discrete manufacturing: connecting the shop floor to the customer

Discrete manufacturers ranging from industrial machinery makers to electronics producers are embracing digital transformation to streamline processes and drive operational excellence.

Fluido’s work in this sector revealed that the most impactful initiatives connect production systems directly to customer-facing functions. This alignment enables manufacturers to become more agile and responsive to changing customer demands.

Successful outcomes require connecting people, systems, and insights across the value chain. Essential elements include:

• Seamless integration between ERP, MES, and Salesforce platforms to unify data and decision-making;
• Real-time production visibility for sales teams, enabling more agile responses;
• Smooth information flow between customers and R&D teams;
• Connected service management, where product history data is used to improve proactive maintenance and support.

Process manufacturing: balancing quality, compliance, and efficiency

Manufacturers in the chemical, pulp and paper, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries must manage batch processes while ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining efficiency. They have zero room for error, as even minor deviations in batch quality, regulatory documentation, or production timelines can lead to costly recalls and legal issues.

These enterprises can enhance the success of their digital transformation initiatives through:

• End-to-end batch traceability (including raw materials and supplier inputs)
• Automated compliance documentation and reporting
• Formula and recipe management with intellectual property protection
• Integrated quality management across the supply chain
• Sustainability metrics tracking and reporting

Automotive: navigating industry transformation

Perhaps no manufacturing segment is experiencing more profound change than the automotive industry. European manufacturers and suppliers are leading the transition to electric vehicles while navigating complex global supply chains and evolving consumer expectations.

This evolution is reshaping the entire value chain, requiring new approaches to supplier management, production agility, and aftermarket services. An example would be the use of digital twins to speed up product development, facilitate safety testing, and optimise vehicle performance.

For automotive manufacturers, digital transformation priorities may include:

• Supplier network quality and performance management
• Production planning adaptability for EV transition
• Connected vehicle service management
• Aftermarket service transformation
• Regulatory compliance across global markets

The connected manufacturing vision

Successful manufacturing transformation initiatives have one thing in common: a clear vision for connected operations, where data flows seamlessly across systems, teams, and partner networks.

• Connected data means faster, smarter decisions.
• Connected teams mean better collaboration, fewer handoffs, and more efficient workflows.
• Connected systems mean agility, especially when markets shift overnight.
• Connected partner networks mean increased transparency, synchronised planning, and faster responses to threats or opportunities.

The result? Improved decision-making, better production planning, and more sustainable practices, among other benefits.

For example, when operations are connected to real-time customer and sales data, manufacturers can align production with actual demand, not just internal forecasts. This approach enables them to cut waste, optimise inventory management, and reduce lead time, increasing profitability.

Building your manufacturing transformation roadmap

Digital transformation is an ongoing process that requires strategic planning and access to the right tools. While this journey looks different for every manufacturer, Fluido has identified some steps that consistently lead to success:

1. Define your objectives

Digital transformation initiatives often fail because they become technology-driven rather than outcome-driven. That’s why it’s important to start by clearly defining your goals, whether cost reduction, quality improvement, or more efficient processes. The whole point is to give your transformation efforts direction and focus.

First, consider what you want to achieve in the long term—and where digital transformation fits in. This approach ensures that your technology investments are aligned with measurable business outcomes.

Suppose your goal is to reduce quality incidents by at least 20% and improve production planning accuracy by 30% within a set time frame. Use tools like Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud to gain visibility into production forecasts, sales agreements, and customer demand, and Service Cloud to detect and resolve quality issues. Other tools, such as CRM Analytics, would allow you to identify and monitor trends, track progress, and adjust your strategies as needed.

2. Map your current state

Assess your manufacturing systems, technologies, and operations to see what works and what could be improved. Look for performance gaps like quality issues that drive up warranty costs, excessive downtime that affects lead time, or inefficient resource use that’s eating into your profit margins.

Next, tie your digital transformation efforts to these performance gaps by setting clear, measurable targets.

An example would be reducing unplanned downtime by 30% through IoT predictive maintenance. Or improving first-pass yield by 15% through automated process controls and real-time monitoring of production parameters.

Documenting your current state sets a clear benchmark for measuring digital progress. Simply put, it allows you to gauge the impact of digital initiatives and decide on the next steps.

3. Prioritise high-impact initiatives

Focus on the areas where digital transformation will be most impactful instead of spreading resources thin across low-value projects. Not only does this approach help maximise your investment, but it also ensures concrete and measurable results. Plus, it allows you to tackle competing priorities like cost control, regulatory compliance, and production efficiency with greater precision.

When assessing digital initiatives, weigh their business impact against implementation complexity.

For instance, high-value, low-effort initiatives can drive quick wins that build confidence and momentum. An example would be deploying AI-driven maintenance alerts on a single production line, which can yield immediate reductions in downtime.

High-value, high-effort initiatives, on the other hand, demand meticulous planning and strong executive backing. These are best for addressing foundational challenges, such as legacy systems or fragmented supply chains.

4. Design for integration

Design your solution architecture in a way that connects core systems rather than creating new silos. The goal is to ensure data flows seamlessly across operational systems, business systems, and analytical platforms.

For example, quality management systems should connect with production planning, maintenance management, and supply chain systems to enable holistic decision-making. This way, you’ll gain better visibility into what works and what doesn’t—and identify operational bottlenecks sooner rather than later.

5. Devise an implementation plan

Once you have all the pieces together, develop a clear, structured plan to guide your digital transformation efforts. At the very least, it should include the following:

• Phases and milestones: Break down larger goals into manageable steps. Set deadlines for each step to keep the project on track and allocate resources efficiently.
• Cross-functional teams: Bring together people from different teams and departments, such as production, marketing, quality assurance, and procurement. Assign them specific roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability and streamline decision-making.
• Employee participation: Get your staff involved early on so you can incorporate their insights into your strategy and address practical challenges.
• Workforce training: Be prepared to upskill or reskill your employees as needed. Without proper training, they won’t be able to harness the full potential of the technologies you’re adopting.
• Regulatory compliance: Make sure your technology choices comply with current regulations. For example, medical device manufacturers using connected production equipment must maintain detailed records to comply with FDA and ISO standards.
• Key digital technologies: Determine which technologies you’re going to use, whether it’s AI, robotics, cloud computing, or IoT. Tie them to your business goals, focusing on those that deliver the most value.

Your implementation strategy should also cover the costs involved and other aspects, such as a governance framework and strategies for change management. Be sure to account for potential roadblocks (e.g., skill gaps or security concerns) and devise a contingency plan.

6. Strive for agility

Use an iterative approach that delivers value quickly while building toward your long-term vision. For instance, you could start by deploying production monitoring capabilities on a single production line before expanding enterprise-wide. This allows teams to validate the technology, adapt their workflows, and drive immediate value.

Agile implementation also provides more opportunities for user feedback, which can lead to higher adoption rates and better outcomes. At the same time, it makes it easier to manage costs, mitigate risks, and achieve continuous improvement.

7. Launch pilot projects

Start pilot projects to test things out on a small scale before full deployment. This approach would allow you to monitor performance, collect user feedback, and make changes early on.

Say you’re a chemical manufacturer ready to implement an AI-driven inventory management system. Start by deploying this technology in one warehouse to measure its impact and ensure compliance with safety regulations prior to a full-scale rollout.

Fluido’s experts can guide you through each of these stages to accelerate your digital transformation and prevent costly mistakes. Following a thorough assessment of your business needs, they will deliver custom recommendations and craft a roadmap for success. They can also train your team members to maximise user adoption and ensure you’re getting the most out of your technology.

Ready for the next chapter?

The manufacturing landscape in Europe continues to evolve rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Discrete, process, and automotive manufacturers who embrace digital transformation with a clear vision and structured approach will be best positioned to thrive.

This transition isn’t easy or linear, but European manufacturing companies have unique strengths that can streamline their efforts, including:

• Strong engineering tradition and excellence
• Established quality management practices
• Experience operating in complex regulatory environments
• Collaborative ecosystem of industry, academia, and government
• Culture of sustainability and long-term thinking

By leveraging these strengths while embracing digital innovation, manufacturers can safeguard and extend their global leadership. Partnering with a technology-driven enterprise like Fluido further enhances their potential for success.

At Fluido, we believe that manufacturing excellence in the digital age stems from connecting people, processes, and technology with purpose and precision. Our tailored Salesforce solutions empower industry players to bring this connected vision to life so they can drive growth while navigating the distinct requirements of European markets.

The future of European manufacturing is connected, sustainable, and customer-centric. Is your organisation ready to lead the way?

Fluido specialises in delivering Salesforce manufacturing industry solutions to European manufacturers. Our team combines deep industry expertise with Salesforce implementation excellence to help manufacturing clients achieve measurable business outcomes.

Check out our work in the manufacturing industry, or contact us to learn more about our Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud Quick Start Package.