DRWO4.0 PE South: Study Visit and Workshop on LEAN Methodology Held in Croatia

As part of the DRWO4.0 project – Danube Region Wood Industry Transformation Model towards Industry 4.0, a two-day professional study visit was held on April 15 and 16, 2025, organized by Pilot Environment South.

The aim of the event was to strengthen the capacities of companies and institutions in the implementation of LEAN methodology within the wood industry. The event brought together representatives from the wood sector, academia, and regional development agencies. The hosts were Windor d.o.o. from Pleternica and Bauwerk Group Croatia from Đurđevac – both exemplary cases of Industry 4.0 principles and digital transformation in practice.

The program began with a visit to Windor d.o.o., a company specialized in the production of wood- aluminum windows, doors, and façade systems. Participants had the opportunity to witness firsthand how LEAN tools and sustainable principles are integrated into their modern manufacturing processes. Later in the day, an educational workshop was held in Požega, led by Prof. Nedeljko Štefanić, PhD, who introduced the fundamentals of LEAN management through an interactive approach, covering process optimization and the role of efficiency in modern industry. The second day of the study visit was dedicated to Bauwerk Group Croatia in Đurđevac, which showcased its approach to implementing LEAN principles in parquet production. Through expert-led tours and open discussions, participants gained deeper insight into the digital tools and solutions that support increased productivity while maintaining quality and resource efficiency.

The two-day program further strengthened cooperation among the partners of the PE South consortium and provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences and best practices in the field of sustainable and technologically advanced wood industry.