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DataTalks Videocast | Episode 2 with Emili Anglés (Head of Industry 4.0 at Kellogg’s)
In this episode of DataTalks, Muutech’s video podcast, we chat with Emili Anglés, Industry 4.0 Development Lead at Kellanova (Kellogg’s Manufacturing Spain), about one of the major challenges currently facing the industry: the real convergence between IT and OT in industrial plants.
Emili is a clear example of how someone from the IT world can become a key player in industrial digitalization, leading Industry 4.0, Smart Factory projects in the food industry and continuous improvement projects with a clear focus on safety, quality, efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
Throughout the conversation, topics of particular relevance to industrial managers, engineering managers and plant managers are addressed: IT-OT integration in industrial plants, automatic data capture in the plant, elimination of paper, ERP, MES and how to move towards a connected factory without jeopardizing daily operations or people’s involvement.
Why is this relevant for an Industrial Director?
This episode addresses how to break down these IT-OT silos from a practical perspective. The talk addresses some of the real questions that industrial and engineering managers often ask themselves:
- Why do we still have silos between IT and OT if both work with data?
- How can we obtain reliable data in real time without jeopardizing operations?
- What role do ERP, MES, and plant systems play in a connected factory?
- How can we eliminate paper in the plant without generating resistance among teams?
- Is it possible to digitize existing plants without major investments or downtime?
Emili answers these questions based on his direct experience leading Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory projects:
- Integrating IT and OT systems in real industrial environments
- Leading the adoption of digital technologies in a large multinational food company
- Aligning digitization with key objectives such as safety, quality, cost, and continuous improvement
- Working with multidisciplinary and multigenerational teams on the plant floor
🔍 Episode highlights - Key ideas
IT-OT convergence is a necessary step toward digitizing an industrial plant.
One of the clearest messages from the episode is that IT-OT integration in industrial plants is not just a technological issue, but also an organizational one.
Historically, automation teams and IT departments have worked separately, with independent systems and decisions. However, when seeking to connect the plant to business systems (ERP, planning, etc.), this separation is no longer viable.
Emili explains that digitization projects only work when IT is involved from the outset, providing infrastructure, security, and systems architecture, while OT contributes its knowledge of the industrial process.
Real-time data to improve decision-making
Industry 4.0 is not about having more reports, but about accessing information while there is still time to act.
Having real-time data allows you to react to deviations, prioritize problems, and prevent small incidents from turning into major production losses.
Eliminating paper as a first practical step
Many plant processes still rely on manual records, paper sheets, or Excel.
Digitizing these flows brings immediate benefits: fewer errors, greater traceability, and better communication between shifts and departments.
Digitization and continuous improvement: two processes that go hand in hand
Digitization in the plant makes no sense if it is not aligned with continuous improvement.
In the case of Kellogg’s, many of the data capture needs arose precisely from the implementation of Lean Manufacturing and the need to measure operational indicators such as downtime, micro-downtime, performance, and availability.
The greater the maturity in continuous improvement, the greater the need for reliable data to analyze problems, identify root causes, and validate the improvements introduced in the processes.
Involving operators is key to making digitization work
One of the most interesting aspects of the Kellogg’s case is how the implementation of these tools was managed on the factory floor.
The projects were developed by multidisciplinary teams involving operators, maintenance technicians, quality and engineering personnel, who collaborated in designing the solutions they would later use.
In addition, implementation was carried out progressively and with peer training, combining profiles with greater digital experience with others more accustomed to traditional processes.
Final tip
The key is not to implement many technologies at once, but to start by capturing reliable data on site, integrating it with existing systems, and moving forward incrementally. Well-planned digitization grows naturally.
📺 More episodes of DataTalks
At DataTalks, we talk to industrial, operations, and innovation directors about: Industrial digitization, Industry 4.0 in the plant, practical use of data, and, above all, real experiences without unnecessary theory.
Do you have questions about how to approach IT-OT integration in your plant? 
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