In the spotlight: Manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 with Braincube
Global manufacturers are increasing investment in digital transformation, creating major growth opportunities for Braincube, whose AI-powered tools and real-time data insights enable factories to run more efficiently and sustainably.
Braincube was founded in 2007 by three French engineers who built a leading-edge Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform from their base in Issoire in the Auvergne region of central France. Their vision was to create a uniquely flexible and advanced data toolkit capable of helping any manufacturing plant operate at peak efficiency. Braincube joined SEP’s portfolio in November 2023,following a funding round of more than €80 million.
The company is now working with SEP to execute its bold expansion strategy, focused on building on its market leading position within the multi-billion-dollar manufacturing data and software market. SEP Partner Angus Conroy and Director Andrew J Davidson work closely with Braincube and are members of the company's board.
Billion-dollar savings
The Braincube platform is a game-changer for manufacturers - rapidly collating and analysing huge amounts of complex data from across factory operations and delivering insights that can be used to adjust production lines in real-time for maximum efficiency.
“Our technology surpasses anything else in the market in terms of optimising return on investment. It’s a problem-solving technology that learns and adapts in real time,” says Braincube co-founder and CEO Laurent Laporte.
The company’s platform is deployed at scale, on thousands of production lines, across six continents, and has already saved clients collectively more than $10 billion in production line costs. Global clients include tyre makers Goodyear, Bridgestone and Michelin, International Paper and food giant Nestlé, as well as leaders in building materials and a growing number of other sectors.
Laporte says that although manufacturing plants constantly generate information, historically, data was both difficult to capture and to understand, so no-one was using it. Braincube overcomes these challenges, and the company continues to innovate, investing significantly in research and development.
“Our customers can realise a very large return on investment by using our insights to reduce energy consumption, improve the quality of the product, and reduce the cost of manufacturing.”
Beyond the ‘golden batch’
Manufacturers often strive to replicate a ‘golden batch’ - a standard achieved when a factory was running at optimal efficiency and produced the highest quality product.
To recreate these conditions consistently can be difficult without software and sensors that can not only pinpoint the precise conditions needed to produce a ‘golden batch’ but can alert factory managers in real-time to potential problems.
Laporte notes a myriad of variables such as temperature, raw materials, water, energy, air quality or maintenance work can impact the quality of any product from high performance tyres to breakfast cereal.
“We go beyond a golden batch. We identify what works best in many different conditions so clients can produce a batch better than any they have made in the past. We help them exceed limits.”
Braincube creates ‘digital twins’ (virtual models that replicate physical production lines) as a cost-effective and risk-free way for manufacturers to trouble shoot and to innovate. They can simulate batch runs and test new processes and product lines without incurring downtime or generating excessive waste.
Challenging the leaders
Braincube has a strong growth trajectory, earning it a place in Gartner’s highly regarded Magic Quadrant of the top 16 global players in its field. Among a roster of giants such as Amazon, Microsoft and Siemens, it is the only designated ‘challenger’.
Laporte is clear that Braincube is a disruptor that does things differently. He says digital transformation can be divided into three stages and few players excel in every stage.
Stage one involves upgrading factories with devices and network sensors to collect data, stage two requires platform technologies to analyse it. The third and most critical stage is working with clients to help them apply data insights in ways that will transform their operations.
“Many competitors do stage one well, putting in place digital transformation enablers but when they stick at the first step it makes demonstrating value-add challenging.”
Braincube’s principal focus in stage three is to ensure clients derive maximum value.
Global footprint
The business has had a global footprint from the start as its clients have multinational operations. In practice, when positive results are demonstrated in a factory in one territory, clients are keen to replicate the success in other countries.
A prime example is International Paper, the world’s top paper, pulp and packaging company, which engaged Braincube to help meet demanding targets for manufacturing cost savings. Braincube built dynamic real-time data dashboards that allowed teams to swiftly resolve problems and adhere to best practice, stabilising production and reducing cost. Consequently, International Paper decided to introduce Braincube’s real-time dashboards in all 25 of its worldwide production facilities.
Good for the planet
Braincube also contributes to decarbonisation - a critical issue for the manufacturing and production sector which is responsible for 20% of the world’s carbon emissions and consumes 54% of the world’s energy sources.
Braincube clients have already collectively cut carbon emissions by a total of 2.5million tons - equivalent to taking more than 500,000 cars off the road for a year.
Optimising production can deliver multiple environmental benefits besides lower energy consumption, including a reduction in use of chemicals and wastewater and increased recycling.
Partnering for growth
Laporte says the Braincube senior team, which includes co-founder and COO Sylvain Rubat du Mérac, were keen to accelerate growth, including expanding into more industry sectors. This prompted a search for a growth partner to invest in the business and help it scale successfully.
“We realised that if we want to be number one in the world, we need to go faster and bigger. It was important to find a partner that really understands how to scale B2B software businesses and SEP came with a strong reputation.”
Braincube met a number of investors and ranked them on key criteria including reputation, track record and international capabilities before partnering with SEP. Getting on well with the investment team was a vital factor, says Laporte.
“We wanted a partner with the same entrepreneurial mindset as us to bring on board ideas, strategies and contacts to help us grow. SEP were the right cultural fit and now we’re collaborating in a very good way to become an even bigger success.”
Scaling for success
Software entrepreneur Jim Darragh was recruited as chairman, having previously worked with SEP in his role as CEO at Zeus Technologies. Laporte notes “Jim became our first board advisor and that's one of the great things that have come out of the new partnership - to have somebody of his experience helping us on a daily basis.”
Key priorities for the company include a new ‘go-to-market’ strategy involving both direct and indirect sales through partners, distributors and reseller channels. SEP is also supporting Braincube to ensure the appropriate foundations are in place for the next phase of growth - from financial reporting to skills, management and governance. Laporte is confident for the future - “We are ambitious -ambitious for the efficiencies we can deliver to our clients and ambitious for the growth we can deliver. We are just at the beginning”.
"We wanted a partner with the same entrepreneurial mindset as us to bring on board ideas, strategies and contacts to help us grow. SEP were the right cultural fit and now we’re collaborating in a very good way to become an even bigger success.”
In the spotlight: Manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 with Braincube
Global manufacturers are increasing investment in digital transformation, creating major growth opportunities for Braincube, whose AI-powered tools and real-time data insights enable factories to run more efficiently and sustainably.
Braincube was founded in 2007 by three French engineers who built a leading-edge Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform from their base in Issoire in the Auvergne region of central France. Their vision was to create a uniquely flexible and advanced data toolkit capable of helping any manufacturing plant operate at peak efficiency. Braincube joined SEP’s portfolio in November 2023,following a funding round of more than €80 million.
The company is now working with SEP to execute its bold expansion strategy, focused on building on its market leading position within the multi-billion-dollar manufacturing data and software market. SEP Partner Angus Conroy and Director Andrew J Davidson work closely with Braincube and are members of the company's board.
Billion-dollar savings
The Braincube platform is a game-changer for manufacturers - rapidly collating and analysing huge amounts of complex data from across factory operations and delivering insights that can be used to adjust production lines in real-time for maximum efficiency.
“Our technology surpasses anything else in the market in terms of optimising return on investment. It’s a problem-solving technology that learns and adapts in real time,” says Braincube co-founder and CEO Laurent Laporte.
The company’s platform is deployed at scale, on thousands of production lines, across six continents, and has already saved clients collectively more than $10 billion in production line costs. Global clients include tyre makers Goodyear, Bridgestone and Michelin, International Paper and food giant Nestlé, as well as leaders in building materials and a growing number of other sectors.
Laporte says that although manufacturing plants constantly generate information, historically, data was both difficult to capture and to understand, so no-one was using it. Braincube overcomes these challenges, and the company continues to innovate, investing significantly in research and development.
“Our customers can realise a very large return on investment by using our insights to reduce energy consumption, improve the quality of the product, and reduce the cost of manufacturing.”
Beyond the ‘golden batch’
Manufacturers often strive to replicate a ‘golden batch’ - a standard achieved when a factory was running at optimal efficiency and produced the highest quality product.
To recreate these conditions consistently can be difficult without software and sensors that can not only pinpoint the precise conditions needed to produce a ‘golden batch’ but can alert factory managers in real-time to potential problems.
Laporte notes a myriad of variables such as temperature, raw materials, water, energy, air quality or maintenance work can impact the quality of any product from high performance tyres to breakfast cereal.
“We go beyond a golden batch. We identify what works best in many different conditions so clients can produce a batch better than any they have made in the past. We help them exceed limits.”
Braincube creates ‘digital twins’ (virtual models that replicate physical production lines) as a cost-effective and risk-free way for manufacturers to trouble shoot and to innovate. They can simulate batch runs and test new processes and product lines without incurring downtime or generating excessive waste.
Challenging the leaders
Braincube has a strong growth trajectory, earning it a place in Gartner’s highly regarded Magic Quadrant of the top 16 global players in its field. Among a roster of giants such as Amazon, Microsoft and Siemens, it is the only designated ‘challenger’.
Laporte is clear that Braincube is a disruptor that does things differently. He says digital transformation can be divided into three stages and few players excel in every stage.
Stage one involves upgrading factories with devices and network sensors to collect data, stage two requires platform technologies to analyse it. The third and most critical stage is working with clients to help them apply data insights in ways that will transform their operations.
“Many competitors do stage one well, putting in place digital transformation enablers but when they stick at the first step it makes demonstrating value-add challenging.”
Braincube’s principal focus in stage three is to ensure clients derive maximum value.
Global footprint
The business has had a global footprint from the start as its clients have multinational operations. In practice, when positive results are demonstrated in a factory in one territory, clients are keen to replicate the success in other countries.
A prime example is International Paper, the world’s top paper, pulp and packaging company, which engaged Braincube to help meet demanding targets for manufacturing cost savings. Braincube built dynamic real-time data dashboards that allowed teams to swiftly resolve problems and adhere to best practice, stabilising production and reducing cost. Consequently, International Paper decided to introduce Braincube’s real-time dashboards in all 25 of its worldwide production facilities.
Good for the planet
Braincube also contributes to decarbonisation - a critical issue for the manufacturing and production sector which is responsible for 20% of the world’s carbon emissions and consumes 54% of the world’s energy sources.
Braincube clients have already collectively cut carbon emissions by a total of 2.5million tons - equivalent to taking more than 500,000 cars off the road for a year.
Optimising production can deliver multiple environmental benefits besides lower energy consumption, including a reduction in use of chemicals and wastewater and increased recycling.
Partnering for growth
Laporte says the Braincube senior team, which includes co-founder and COO Sylvain Rubat du Mérac, were keen to accelerate growth, including expanding into more industry sectors. This prompted a search for a growth partner to invest in the business and help it scale successfully.
“We realised that if we want to be number one in the world, we need to go faster and bigger. It was important to find a partner that really understands how to scale B2B software businesses and SEP came with a strong reputation.”
Braincube met a number of investors and ranked them on key criteria including reputation, track record and international capabilities before partnering with SEP. Getting on well with the investment team was a vital factor, says Laporte.
“We wanted a partner with the same entrepreneurial mindset as us to bring on board ideas, strategies and contacts to help us grow. SEP were the right cultural fit and now we’re collaborating in a very good way to become an even bigger success.”
Scaling for success
Software entrepreneur Jim Darragh was recruited as chairman, having previously worked with SEP in his role as CEO at Zeus Technologies. Laporte notes “Jim became our first board advisor and that's one of the great things that have come out of the new partnership - to have somebody of his experience helping us on a daily basis.”
Key priorities for the company include a new ‘go-to-market’ strategy involving both direct and indirect sales through partners, distributors and reseller channels. SEP is also supporting Braincube to ensure the appropriate foundations are in place for the next phase of growth - from financial reporting to skills, management and governance. Laporte is confident for the future - “We are ambitious -ambitious for the efficiencies we can deliver to our clients and ambitious for the growth we can deliver. We are just at the beginning”.
