TRANSFORMATION OF DISTRIBUTION IN THE ERA OF INDUSTRY 4.0: THE CASE STUDY OF THE STEEL DISTRIBUTION IN POLAND

Production and distribution are changing along with market changes. Trends based on industrial progress (automation, digitalization, AI, IoT) cause companies to implement innovative technologies. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and machine learning lead to rapid response to customer needs. Producers and distributors, in their process integration, are supported by the digital and smart technologies of the concept of Industry 4.0. This research aims to establish transformation frameworks based on the segment of steel product distributors. The paper consists of two parts. The first part presents a framework of the transformation for distribution processes based on Industry 4.0 technologies, and the second is the results of direct research (CAWI) that was realized in the Polish market of steel distributors in the segment of 68 companies. Based on the research, the scope of implemented Industry 4.0 technologies by distributors of steel products in Poland was determined. Presented research results may be useful for companies in the steel market in strategic planning.