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A New Leap in Rail Manufacturing

In a groundbreaking announcement made on September 10, 2023, GlobalLogic, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Inc., and Flexware Innovation revealed their collaboration to implement the LIFT logistics software at Hitachi Rail's cutting-edge digital manufacturing facility in Hagerstown, Maryland. This initiative aims to modernize the backend processes of rail vehicle production, poised to usher in a new era for manufacturing in the U.S.

The LIFT 3.0 software represents a significant milestone as Flexware's first fully developed in-house product, developed in partnership with GlobalLogic and its strategic design arm, Method. Deemed essential for managing material movements within the sophisticated production environment at Hitachi Rail, the system aims to resolve the complex orchestration challenges currently facing the industry.

With the manufacturing sector in the United States undergoing rapid transformation, the focus is shifting towards strategic domestic production and the swift integration of robotics and AI technologies. According to MHI's recent research, about 41% of supply chain leaders have already adopted automation technologies, with an additional 42% planning to implement them within the next five years. However, the meteoric rise in these technologies has led to a relevant challenge: their interconnectivity is often lacking. This fragmentation results in interoperability gaps, orchestration problems, safety concerns, and stagnation in efficiency improvements.

LIFT 3.0 makes strides to tackle these fundamental issues. In Hitachi Rail's highly digitized facility, it allows for seamless integration across various manufacturing processes, enhanced by an investment of over $30 million in advanced technologies that include the latest additive manufacturing techniques and AI robotics. This facility encapsulates Hitachi Rail’s vision of physical AI, utilizing the combined expertise of Hitachi Digital, GlobalLogic, and Hitachi Digital Services to continuously implement improvement processes known as