Boosting Labor Productivity – A National Trend in Russia
Russia is accelerating the adoption of large-scale automation systems that combine lean manufacturing principles with artificial intelligence (AI).
Industrial Strategy and Import Substitution
The Russian company Svetovye Tekhnologii (Lighting Technologies) has launched an innovative business process automation system built on lean manufacturing principles with deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its ERP platform. The system analyzes production chains, assigns personnel according to a competence matrix (interchangeability), and enables a just-in-time supply system that ensures delivery of the necessary parts. AI simplifies analytics, allowing calculations of product manufacturing time based on specifications. Specialists also developed mobile apps to boost enterprise efficiency.
Svetovye Tekhnologii is a producer of lighting solutions operating in Russia, the CIS, and Western Europe. Its portfolio includes general and specialized lighting equipment. The new system has already been deployed at the company’s own production complex. This integration optimizes internal processes, improves forecasting accuracy, accelerates big data processing, and supports better managerial decisions across operational and strategic levels.
Scaling Up Success
The rollout is part of the federal Productivity Project, itself under the national program Effective and Competitive Economy. By 2030, Russia aims to double labor productivity, targeting a 21% increase in growth rates. Achieving this requires comprehensive progress in technology, workforce development, infrastructure, exports, and investments.
As of August 2025, more than 50% of Russian industrial firms have adopted lean manufacturing. In the automotive industry, 60–70% of companies apply lean practices; in metallurgy, 55–65%; and in oil and gas, 50%. The same resources now generate more output with higher quality and lower defect rates.
Future growth requires focusing on high-potential but low-efficiency sectors: construction, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and the social sector. That makes Svetovye Tekhnologii’s initiative especially valuable. One of the system’s key achievements is increasing productivity without major capital investments. By automating routine tasks, reducing downtime, and cutting defect rates, the company’s solution has become a model for others. Participation in the state program provides not only financial support but also infrastructure for scaling success across industries.
Regional Growth Engine
In Ryazan Region, home to one of the company’s largest facilities, the system marks a new growth point. It showcases tangible results of digitalization and lean manufacturing, sparking interest among local authorities, businesses, and educational institutions. Improved efficiency brings higher tax revenues, new jobs, and fresh investment. In coming years, the system’s functions will expand. One planned feature will let customers influence shipping times when placing orders—enhancing logistics flexibility, service quality, and partner loyalty.
The company also plans to share its know-how broadly by hosting presentations, tours for other enterprises, and consulting support for lean practices.
Smarter, Faster, and More Efficient Production
This initiative fits into the wider digital transformation of Russian industry. The region already has success stories: Vakin Agro, an agricultural complex, adopted lean methods in 2020–2021, boosting milk output by 16%. TechnoNICOL’s Ryazan plant has demonstrated high standards of automation, sustainability, and production discipline since 2019–2020. In 2023, the Ryazan Competence Center certified trainers in lean manufacturing, building a talent base for future growth.
These cases confirm that lean practices and digital tools are widely applicable—from agriculture to lighting to construction materials. Svetovye Tekhnologii now contributes a unique model where AI does not replace humans but strengthens their capabilities.
Russia’s Expanding Role in Global Tech
The company’s solution is further proof that integrating AI into industrial processes is not only feasible but economically sound. Such advances strengthen Russia’s export potential: Svetovye Tekhnologii already supplies to CIS and Western European markets, and the improvements in quality and speed make its products even more attractive abroad. Looking ahead, the automation system itself could become an export product—as a ready-made IT solution for enterprises, especially in developing industrial economies.
Interest in such solutions is expected to grow among companies and industry associations. The model may evolve from a corporate system to a SaaS platform available to enterprises of all sizes and sectors. This opens new horizons for Russian industrial IT and bolsters the nation’s standing in the global technology market.
