Author: Neel Achary

Critical Manufacturing Named in 2026 Gartner® Market Guide for MES

The report highlights a broader shift towards more connected manufacturing systems 

PORTO, Portugal, 25.03.2026 – Critical Manufacturing, the Industrial Operations Platform company that unites execution, connectivity, analytics and trusted AI, and a subsidiary of ASMPT, has been named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner Market Guide for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). The report points to the continued shift in manufacturing systems toward more connected and data-driven models as operational requirements grow, with increasing focus on the role of AI and more open, interoperable approaches to managing production systems.

According to Gartner, MES remains central to digital manufacturing, with vendors evolving their offerings to meet changing business and production needs, including greater emphasis on integration, flexibility, and platform-based capabilities.

Francisco Almada Lobo, CEO and Co-founder of Critical Manufacturing, said, “We are pleased to be recognized in the Gartner Market Guide for MES. In our opinion this reflects our continued focus on helping manufacturers succeed in highly demanding and regulated industries now and in the future. We continue to evolve our solution embedding the latest technologies such as AI on a strong foundation that manufacturers can trust to make digital transformation effective and profitable.”

As manufacturing becomes more intricate, organizations are placing greater emphasis on how their systems improve visibility, coordination, and decision-making. Critical Manufacturing addresses these needs through its Industrial Operations Platform approach, where MES serves as the execution core within a broader framework that brings together production, data, and intelligence.

“Manufacturing is no longer just about controlling processes on the shopfloor. It is about turning production data into meaningful, timely decisions that improve performance across the entire operation,” added Almada Lobo. “We are seeing a clear shift away from isolated systems toward environments where execution, data, and intelligence continuously inform each other. That is what enables manufacturers to respond faster, operate with greater clarity, and remain competitive in increasingly complex markets.”

Within this approach, MES plays a central role in capturing and contextualizing manufacturing data, which is then linked with analytics and enterprise systems to create a continuous flow of information between the shopfloor and business decision-makers.

Critical Manufacturing continues to advance its solution for high-tech industries such as semiconductors, electronics, medical devices and life sciences, and industrial equipment. Recent enhancements include improved batch management with lot matching, resource cluster services for multi-chamber equipment, and more detailed labor tracking at the activity level. Additional capabilities such as flexible BOM management, advanced substrate mapping, and smart barcode scanning further strengthen control and traceability across manufacturing processes.

The platform has also been extended with improvements to line clearance and maintenance management for reusable spare parts, alongside new reporting capabilities through tools such as Grafana and Stimulsoft. The introduction of Unified Namespace streaming via MQTT, combined with a centralized enterprise data platform, provides broader visibility across multiple sites.

At the same time, Critical Manufacturing is advancing its AI roadmap through initiatives spanning machine learning and generative AI to more advanced autonomous systems. These capabilities are embedded within the MES and data platform to enable contextual understanding, predictive insights, and more efficient workflows for both operators and decision-makers.

The report also encourages manufacturers to assess how MES solutions will meet future needs, including integration with other systems, responsiveness to changing processes, and the ability to scale across sites. For organizations operating in complex sectors, selecting solutions aligned with specific operational requirements can help reduce implementation effort while preserving long-term flexibility.

With customers across APAC, EMEA, and North America, Critical Manufacturing works with manufacturers in sectors where traceability, quality, and responsiveness are essential. By bringing together MES, data, analytics, and AI within a unified platform, the company helps manufacturers build more resilient, transparent, agile and future-ready operations.

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Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

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Aviator cuts half of business travel emissions through SAF initiative in Sweden

Aviator Airport Alliance, the largest independent ground handling provider in the Nordics and part of Avia Solutions Group, has joined Swedavia’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) procurement initiative, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions from its business travel.

Through this initiative, Aviator Sweden has reduced approximately 50% of emissions from its business travel in 2025.

“As part of our continued climate efforts, we at Aviator Sweden have invested in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through Swedavia’s recently completed SAF auction,” said Jonas Brundin, Managing Director of Aviator Sweden. “Investing in SAF is a concrete way for us to contribute to the development of more sustainable aviation – something we see as essential for the future of transportation.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel can reduce lifecycle CO₂e by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel and can be used within existing aircraft and infrastructure. This approach reduces emissions at the source, rather than relying solely on traditional offsetting.

Starting from December 1, 2025, Aviator Sweden’s own ground handling operations are fully fossil-free. The SAF investment marks a further step in extending emission reduction efforts beyond direct operations and supports Aviator’s broader ambition to achieve carbon-neutral ground handling by 2030.

Livpure Marks World Water Day with ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’ Initiative, Driving a Shift from Awareness to Action

Gurugram, Mar 25: On the occasion of World Water Day, Livpure, one of India’s most trusted and customer-centric brands committed to enhancing consumer well-being, has launched a purpose-led initiative, ‘Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB)’, encouraging mindful water consumption at a time when the gap between awareness and action continues to widen.

While conversations on water conservation continue to grow stronger each year, everyday behavior still tells a different story, over 50% of water served in meetings goes unfinished, and across offices, cafés and public spaces, nearly 14 million litres are wasted daily in the form of half‑drunk glasses. Even the common habit of picking up bottled water on the go reflects a broader pattern of unconscious consumption that adds to the problem.

Recognizing the need for a shift from passive intent to conscious daily behaviour, the BYOB initiative encourages individuals to adopt a simple yet powerful habit, carrying a reusable water bottle and pouring only what they will actually consume. This idea is rooted in mindful usage, urging people to pour only what they’ll drink, sip only what they need, and leave zero drops behind, reducing everyday wastage in a way that feels achievable and personal.

As part of this initiative, Livpure is leading by example through an activation at its Head Office. Employees and visitors will be invited for a pledge-signing activity, committing to mindful water consumption in their daily lives. This will be complemented by the distribution of reusable steel water bottles carrying a strong conservation message, transforming intent into action while creating authentic, behaviour-led content for social media amplification.

Nitin Malhotra, Chief Marketing Officer, Livpure, said “Water is not just a resource, it is the foundation of life, yet its value is often realized only in scarcity. At Livpure, we have consistently championed access to pure, safe drinking water while equally advocating for responsible consumption. Our commitment goes beyond purification; through innovations such as high-recovery RO systems offering up to 60% water recovery, we are actively working to minimise wastage and maximise impact. With initiatives like ‘Bring Your Own Bottle’, we aim to shift the narrative from passive awareness to conscious action, because the future of water depends on the choices we make today.”

Amplifying the campaign beyond the workplace, Livpure is rolling out a digital-first content in collaboration with Vox Pop artist Siddharth Amar. Conceptualised around ‘Awareness vs. Action’, the Delhi-based street interviews capture real, unfiltered responses, highlighting a key insight: while awareness is high, consistent action remains limited. 

With this latest campaign, Livpure continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainability by not just enabling access to clean water, but also advocating for responsible consumption, turning everyday habits into powerful acts of conservation.

Comau and Reis Robotics Sign Pact for Multi-Industry Automation Projects

COMAU AND REIS ROBOTICS SIGN A COOPERATION AGREEMENT TO PURSUE ADVANCED AUTOMATION PROJECTS ACROSS MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES

Stuttgart, March 25, 2026 – Comau and Reis Robotics have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at jointly developing and delivering advanced automation products and solutions for multiple industrial sectors through a coordinated technical and commercial approach.

The agreement signed today by Comau and Reis Robotics, respectively Italian and German companies, testifies to the strength of the European technology framework in advanced industrial development. The initiative brings together the complementary expertise and experience of both companies to design and deliver integrated complex systems that improve efficiency, flexibility, and scalability, with the initial focus on sectors such as shipbuilding, intralogistics, giga casting, battery production, heavy industry and critical infrastructure, among others.

The cooperation combines Reis Robotics’ proprietary control technology, and multi-process automation with Comau’s global industrial footprint and advanced automated solutions and robotics portfolio. A further element of the agreement sees Comau and Reis Robotics working together to identify and develop additional market segments and technical applications where their combined expertise can generate value.

“Working together with Reis Robotics is an important element in our diversification strategy and a further demonstration of our pledge to bring advanced automation technologies to new sectors and applications,” emphasized Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “The synergy that comes from uniting our shared expertise, allows us to pro-actively meet the evolving needs of the market,  where automation is becoming an increasingly key factor, and to strengthen our presence in Germany in particular, which represents a key market for us.”

“The cooperation with Comau represents a strategically important step in strengthening our international business and expanding our capabilities in key industrial sectors,” said Uwe Eich, Managing Director of Reis Robotics. “By combining our expertise in system integration and automation with Comau’s global reach, we are well positioned to deliver efficient and scalable solutions to our customers.”

Qair and Ultragaz strengthen Brazil’s energy transition with PPA for Bom Jardim Solar project in Nordeste

Paris & São Paulo – 25 March 2026 – Qair, an independent renewable energy company, and Ultragaz, Brazil’s largest LPG distributor, announce the signing of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Bom Jardim solar project. Located in Icó (Ceará), the 192 MW project was fully commissioned earlier this year, supporting Brazil’s ongoing diversification of its renewable energy mix, and will supply 131.5 GWh of renewable electricity annually to Ultragaz, reinforcing Qair’s ability to create value in a dynamic market environment.

Addressing market dynamics with innovation
In Brazil’s evolving renewable energy landscape, Qair’s proactive approach ensures long-term benefits for its partners and local communities. By diversifying its portfolio, selecting sites with robust grid infrastructure, and designing flexible PPA structures, Qair continues to deliver sustainable, high-performance energy solutions tailored to Brazil’s evolving needs.

Modelling consumer-centric renewables
This agreement between Qair and Ultragaz sets a new standard for how renewable energy contracts can be structured to maximize value for all stakeholders. By aligning Qair’s expertise in innovative energy solutions with Ultragaz’s strategic objectives, the Bom Jardim project delivers not just electricity, but a pathway to long-term energy security and shared success.

This agreement marks a significant step in our capacity of leading the energy transition in the Brazilian private sector and also in our collaboration with local partners like Qair.

Lucas Witzler, Energy Director for Ultragaz

Bom Jardim demonstrates Qair’s ability to combine energy performance and sustainable development. Thanks to the expertise of our local teams we are delivering solutions that drive value to all partners. Looking forward for the next achievements.

Camille Donnadieu

Industrial Partnerships Director for Qair

EFT and Bharat Skytech Launch “EFT BHARAT”, Bringing the E610P Agricultural Drone to India with Local Manufacturing

Mar 25: Global UAV technology leader EFT has announced a strategic co-brand partnership with Bharat Skytech Private Limited (BSPL) to launch EFT BHARAT, marking the localisation of manufacturing, service, and distribution for its flagship agricultural drone E610P in India.

 As part of this collaboration, EFT has officially commenced Make in India production of the E610P agricultural drone, with BSPL serving as the designated manufacturing and distribution partner. The initiative represents a significant step in EFT’s long-term commitment to the Indian drone ecosystem and its effort to combine global engineering expertise with India’s growing manufacturing capabilities.

To ensure seamless localisation while maintaining global quality standards, EFT has completed the formal transfer of official production moulds for the E610P’s tank and canopy components to BSPL. This technology transfer ensures that the India-manufactured drones maintain the original design integrity, engineering precision, and performance standards that EFT’s agricultural platforms are known for globally.

The collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of India’s agri-drone ecosystem, enabling faster deliveries, improved service support, and wider availability of genuine EFT components and spare parts. By integrating local manufacturing and supply chains, the initiative will also generate demand for Indian vendors, create skilled employment opportunities, and strengthen the country’s UAV manufacturing ecosystem.

Commercially, the India-manufactured E610P under the EFT BHARAT brand will provide customers with improved supply chain reliability, structured warranty support, and lifecycle service delivered through BSPL’s authorised service network trained to EFT’s global standards. Enterprise customers and institutional partners will benefit from joint product demonstrations, customised deployment solutions, and integrated after-sales support.

Speaking on the collaboration, Sweety Liu, CEO, EFT said: 

“The launch of EFT BHARAT represents a major milestone in our long-term commitment to the Indian market. By combining EFT’s globally proven UAV technology with India’s strong manufacturing capabilities, we aim to build solutions for India, in India. This partnership ensures that Indian farmers and industry stakeholders have access to reliable, future-ready agricultural drone platforms designed to address the country’s unique farming needs.”

Gurmeet Singh, CEO of Bharat Skytech Private Limited, added: 

“We are proud to partner with EFT for this landmark Make in India initiative. EFT’s leadership in UAV technology is globally recognised, and the transfer of production moulds and engineering expertise to India will enable us to scale responsibly while maintaining the authentic quality of EFT products. Through EFT BHARAT, we look forward to bringing advanced agricultural drone technology closer to farmers and enterprises across India.”

The EFT BHARAT initiative marks the beginning of EFT’s broader localisation roadmap in India, with plans to deepen manufacturing capabilities and strengthen the domestic UAV supply chain in the coming years.

LOGIC Partners with PhiBonacci to Launch India’s Most Advanced Simulation-Integrated Interactive Displays

Bengaluru, Mar 25:  LOGIC, the flagship interactive display brand from Online Instruments, today announced the integration of PhiBonacci’s globally recognized 3D simulation ecosystem into its advanced classroom solutions. The agreement natively integrates PhiBonacci’s uniPhi myClass STEM software into all the LOGIC Interactive Displays designed for the education sector.

This partnership addresses a unique challenge in the evolution of modern STEM education: bridging the gap between flat, 2D interactive digital simulations and truly immersive, spatial learning. Historically, rendering heavy, hyper-interactive simulations in a classroom setting required expensive external computing add-ons or suffered from severe lag. By natively optimizing PhiBonacci’s library of over 3,000 interactive simulations for LOGIC’s high-performance 4K interactive displays with 40-point multi-touch capability, the collaboration eliminates hardware–software friction and delivers a seamless, out-of-the-box 3D STEM learning solution aligned with the experiential learning mandates of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

“When it comes to mastering complex Science and Mathematics, interactive simulations transcend the limitations of traditional physical labs. They don’t just show a concept; they empower students to truly experience it,” said Dr. Ravindra Dubey, Managing Director of PhiBonacci. “PhiBonacci provides curriculum-mapped simulation content with adaptable language interface support. By natively integrating our ecosystem, already proven and trusted by over 3 million students, we are completely removing technical barriers. Teachers can turn on the screen and instantly walk a class through a virtual heart dissection or a complex physics model with zero lag.”

“This partnership marks a turning point in how we think about classroom learning,” said Pankaj Bellad, Chief Business Officer at Online Instruments. “LOGIC was never just about the hardware. The real opportunity was always in what happens on that screen and integrating PhiBonacci makes that answer very clear. Every LOGIC display now functions as a fully equipped virtual lab, giving educators the tools to make even the most complex concepts genuinely click for students.”

“What we’ve built here is designed for scale. Schools don’t need to overhaul their infrastructure or navigate complicated setups, LOGIC handles that. The focus shifts entirely to learning outcomes: immediate academic impact in the short term, and a lasting digital capability that institutions can build on.”

Strategic Value for Educational Institutions: For buyers and consumers of LOGIC displays, this exclusive bundle represents an unprecedented value addition designed specifically for enterprise and institutional deployment:

• Deliver immersive science and mathematics lessons

• Conduct virtual experiments without physical constraints

• Enhance student engagement and retention

• Standardize quality of teaching across classrooms

• Support NEP-aligned experiential learning