Over 13,000+ manufacturing professionals gathered at NEC Birmingham for Smart Manufacturing Week 2025, where digital transformation wasn’t just a theme, it was a call to action. From C-suite strategy talks to real-world case studies, the message was clear: tools alone won’t win the future. Leadership, integration, and cultural alignment must drive the digital thread forward.
Sana Commerce joined the Leadership & Strategy track to spotlight how B2B commerce can fuel this shift, not just as a sales tool, but as a core pillar of industrial growth.
Key Trends & Discussion Topics
What Manufacturers Need to Prioritize Now:
Make commerce part of your growth strategy
Digital channels aren't just about convenience, they're central to scaling revenue, building loyalty, and enabling 24/7 customer engagement in increasingly complex markets.
Preserve the digital thread across functions
Integrating ERP, eCommerce, and customer service systems ensures your operations are seamless, responsive, and capable of adapting to market changes in real time.
Start small with AI to move faster later
AI doesn’t need to be complex to add value. Quick wins, like automating order intake or forecasting demand, build momentum for broader innovation.
Elevate data to a strategic priority
Decision-makers must treat data as a competitive tool. Clean, connected data enables smarter forecasting, pricing, and customer experiences.
Culture enables transformation
Even the best tech fails without internal alignment. Continuous training, communication, and empowerment are essential to sustaining progress.
Our Session:
Shaping the Future of B2B Manufacturing: Where Buyers and Sellers Connect
In this session, Arno Ham, E-commerce Evangelist, addressed a growing urgency in manufacturing: the need to evolve digital commerce into a strategic engine for growth. He shared how manufacturers can eliminate manual order processes, support global expansion, and better serve both digital-first and traditional customers by integrating their ERP and eCommerce systems. The talk also emphasized the role of commerce in building long-term agility, turning sales from a siloed channel into a fully connected, value-driving asset.
Key insights included:
Automate to grow
Replace manual order entry with ERP-integrated self-service to free up resources and boost accuracy
Support all buyers
Deliver intuitive digital experiences while still meeting the needs of long-standing customer relationships
Build for scale
Ensure your digital infrastructure can support global operations and adapt to future business models
Closing thoughts
Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 underscored a fundamental truth: digital transformation in manufacturing doesn’t start with flashy tools, it starts with smart leadership. By aligning digital strategy with cultural readiness and systems integration, manufacturers can unlock new levels of agility, efficiency, and growth. With Sana Commerce, eCommerce becomes more than a sales platform, it becomes your strategic advantage.
Want to continue the conversation?
Reach out to your Sana contact or connect with us at the next event!
