BRUGG Pipes, Switzerland’s largest pipe manufacturer, set out to accelerate its digital transformation by connecting production, warehousing and logistics systems. The goal: applying Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology to capture data from networked machines, sensors and storage locations to improve efficiency and quality.
To turn this vision into action, BRUGG Pipes decided to conduct two pilot projects. Each pilot project was designed to deliver immediate value through the following objectives:
- Technically, the pilots would implement real use cases that demonstrated tangible business benefits and addressed key technical questions—from sensor data collection to cloud processing and dashboard visualization.
- Strategically, they would uncover insights and challenges critical to designing a sustainable, scalable system and data architecture.
- Methodologically, they would test a rapid, lean approach to implementation, ensuring that lessons learned could be quickly applied to future initiatives.
The projects clarified critical strategic and organizational factors for advancing BRUGG Pipes’ digital transformation.
As 'Pioneers in Infrastructure,' we want to set standards in digital transformation. The combination of expertise, processes and methodology creates a powerful alliance that focuses on the customer in the midst of the digital revolution.
Global Head of Digital & Controlling Operations, BRUGG Pipes
Turning industrial data into actionable insight
BRUGG Pipes collaborated with CGI to design and deliver the two pilot projects that addressed key production questions.
- What is the relationship between indoor climate and product quality in the polyurethane foaming process?
- How do production process values relate to energy consumption, and what insights do they provide to improve the production sequence?
Both pilots aimed to capture and connect data that had previously been inaccessible. In the case of polyurethane foam production, this meant combining data from machine controllers—such as speed, temperature and pressure—with environmental data on temperature, humidity, air pressure and CO₂ levels collected via LoRaWAN sensors.
The data was transmitted from the shop floor to the cloud through Azure IoT Hub, enriched with contextual information, and analyzed in near real time using Azure Data Explorer. Interactive dashboards created in Microsoft Power BI visualized the results, allowing teams to explore correlations and make faster, data-driven decisions.
From connected machines to continuous improvement
The pilot projects delivered clear technical and strategic value. The teams exceeded their goals and experienced genuine “aha” moments that inspired new ideas and further iterations of the initial pilots. The new level of transparency built confidence across the organization and prompted several follow-up initiatives.
On a technical level, the pilots proved the complete process—from collecting data through sensors and transmitting it via Azure IoT Hub, to enriching, analyzing and visualizing it in Microsoft Power BI. The teams demonstrated the solution’s viability and scalability in real operating conditions.
More importantly, the projects clarified critical strategic and organizational factors for advancing BRUGG Pipes’ digital transformation. They revealed technical dependencies and highlighted where teams needed clearer roles and responsibilities.
The insights gained now guide future digital initiatives. They provide a standardized blueprint for architecture and infrastructure that will help BRUGG Pipes accelerate implementation and scale innovation with confidence.
“What we particularly enjoy about our collaboration is the early and transparent involvement of all departments involved. Of particular note is the shared focus on the added value of the solutions developed. Our joint work is inspiring and valuable.”
Fabian Ritter, Director, CGI
