1 week Ago
Rolls of aluminium made from recycled material at the Novelis Inc. facility in Pindamonhangaba, ..
. More Brazil Novelis, a global leader in aluminum recycling and rolled product manufacturing, plays a critical role across a range of industries including automotive, aerospace, beverage packaging and specialties. With approximately $17 billion in annual revenue and 33 manufacturing facilities across nine countries, Novelis is deeply committed to sustainability and the circular economy.
Novelis’ digital journey has been guided by Regina Salazar, Chief Digital and Information Officer. In her more than three and a half years in the role, Salazar has led the modernization of IT operations and established a transformative digital strategy, all while preparing the organization for a future defined by automation, data and AI. Integrating Global IT and Digital Strategies As CDIO, Salazar's role spans the full breadth of technology, from infrastructure and cybersecurity to digital innovation and analytics.
"We are responsible for all that Novelis needs in terms of technology," Salazar said. She leads a federated IT model where four regional leaders align with regional business presidents to ensure that local strategies are supported. At the same time, six global capability teams handle enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, data analytics and more, enabling consistent services across regions.
This model balances regional agility with global coordination, fostering alignment across Novelis' diverse operations. A Foundation for Transformation Upon joining Novelis, Salazar focused on improving the cohesion between regional and global strategies and unifying traditional IT with emerging digital functions. She introduced a business relationship model to ensure every business leader had an IT partner.
She also built a stronger cultural foundation by formalizing enterprise architecture, establishing a modern project management office and enhancing the cybersecurity posture. "We had to integrate the digital and IT teams to deliver capabilities for the company, period," Salazar explained. These initiatives laid the groundwork for a three-year transformation journey, building a strong, integrated team prepared to drive enterprise-wide change.
Building a Scalable Data Strategy and Leveraging AI Responsibly Recognizing the untapped potential of Novelis' data-rich environment, Salazar and her team expanded a preexisting initiative, the Plant of the Future. This methodology pairs IT and business experts to identify and prioritize high-value use cases, pilot them and then roll them out across all plants. In 2021, Novelis launched Vision 3x30, a strategic framework with ambitious goals for 2030.
Becoming a data-driven organization is a key enabler, and Salazar's team is advancing this through three pillars: A best-in-class tech stack Improved data governance Enterprise-wide data literacy. The result? AI-driven insights that have boosted EBITDA by 3% to 4%. Novelis CIO Regina Salazar Salazar and team have parlayed the data strategy into AI opportunity.
AI is transforming both safety and productivity at Novelis. In manufacturing, computer vision systems detect potential hazards, alert workers and collect data for broader safety analysis. "We are using computer vision and wearables to improve safety on the shop floor," Salazar shared by way of example.
AI-powered predictive maintenance reduces downtime by identifying issues before they happen. In production, vision-based systems automate precision cutting, reducing waste and increasing throughput. These innovations represent not just technology improvements but critical advancements in quality, safety and cost control.
Novelis is exploring generative AI across three fronts: evaluating existing vendor tools, experimenting with enterprise-wide platforms like Microsoft Copilot and Moveworks and developing a secure internal LLM using Azure. These efforts are streamlining tasks across help desks, HR and business analysis. "We're just scratching the surface," Salazar said of generative AI.
She views generative AI as a powerful co-pilot, enabling users to work more efficiently and solve problems faster, while recognizing the importance of human oversight and responsible innovation. Innovating the Factory of the Future Novelis' massive new facility in Alabama exemplifies the company's forward-looking approach in a more traditional sense. Designed to support both beverage packaging and automotive markets, the plant incorporates renewable energy, recycled water and zero waste processes.
On the digital side, Salazar’s team built a simulation model to optimize material flow and layout. "This new plant adds capacity for 15 billion more cans per year and brings all our latest technologies together," Salazar noted with pride. The facility also marks the debut of a new manufacturing execution system, replacing legacy systems and setting a template for other plants worldwide.
Robotics for Safety and Inspection Novelis is piloting robotics in two key areas: RPA for back-office automation and mobile inspection robots in manufacturing. "We use robotic dogs for inspections in dangerous, confined spaces," Salazar shared. The robotic dogs enhance safety by entering areas unsafe for humans, collecting more data more frequently and enabling real-time analysis.
This has increased both the quality and frequency of inspections and demonstrates how robotics can support efficiency and safety in industrial environments. Whether in automating routine tasks, enhancing safety, improving quality or enabling sustainability, Novelis is reimagining how technology supports its mission. With a strong foundation in place and an innovation mindset, Salazar and her team are shaping the next chapter of industrial transformation.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy , a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble . He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world.
Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh ..
