A Welsh-developed platform is helping manufacturers unlock hidden value on the factory floor, boosting productivity, engaging workers, and supporting national economic growth.
As Wales looks to strengthen its manufacturing base in a changing global economy, one homegrown business is making an impact by tackling a challenge that lies at the heart of industrial performance: productivity.
POET Systems, a cloud-based business intelligence platform developed in Wales, is working directly with manufacturers across the country to help them identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and build smarter, more collaborative shop floor environments.
At its core, POET gives businesses the tools to see what’s happening on their production lines in real time. It transforms how manufacturers collect and use data, replacing spreadsheets and delayed reports with live, visual dashboards that highlight downtime, rework, scrap, and underperformance the moment it happens.
But what makes POET different isn’t just the technology, it’s the philosophy behind it.
“Productivity isn’t just a machine problem. It’s a people problem too,” explains Philip Roberts, Managing Director of POET Systems.
“We’ve built POET to give everyone – from operators to senior managers – clear visibility into performance. It’s about engaging the whole team in the data, giving people ownership, and making improvement a shared responsibility.”
POET’s platform includes a range of features designed to support continuous improvement. From built-in root cause analysis and action planning tools to WhatsApp-style in-app messaging and an AI assistant that helps identify hidden patterns in performance, the system is tailored for practical use in busy production environments.
The platform’s impact is already being felt by Welsh manufacturers.
One user reported that a 10% improvement in OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) driven by better visibility and faster response times, translated into £750 in daily cost savings. Scaled over just 50 working days, that equates to a £45,000 boost to the bottom line without any capital expenditure.
“That kind of result is common when you empower people with the right tools and information,” says Roberts.
“POET isn’t just tracking data—it’s helping people make better decisions, faster. That’s what drives real productivity gains.”
With productivity growth now a priority for both the Welsh and UK Governments, POET’s work aligns closely with national and regional economic goals. By supporting manufacturers of all sizes, from local SMEs to large-scale operations, the company is playing a quiet but crucial role in strengthening the foundation of Wales’ industrial economy.
