In an era of mounting geopolitical pressure and increasing defense budgets across Europe, the defense manufacturing sector finds itself under a new kind of scrutiny - not just for what it builds, but how efficiently it builds it. As nations accelerate rearmament programs and supply chains remain vulnerable, internal logistics has become a critical but often overlooked battlefield.

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The war in Ukraine has reshaped European defense priorities. NATO members are ramping up production of ammunition, vehicles, and advanced systems at a pace not seen in decades. The European Defence Agency reports a record €52 billion in defense equipment spending in 2024, with a significant focus on accelerating domestic production capacities.

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However, this surge is straining traditional production systems. Bottlenecks in internal logistics - slow material delivery, idle forklifts, and inefficient task coordination - are directly impacting output and delivery schedules. In defense manufacturing, where every minute counts and delays ripple across entire programs, operational efficiency is no longer optional.

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Internal logistics is the circulatory system of a factory. It moves materials, components, and finished goods between stations, departments, and buildings. When intralogistics breaks down, production slows or stops - a risk the defense sector simply cannot afford amid tight delivery timelines and high-volume orders.

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Yet many defense manufacturers still rely on outdated, manual, or semi-automated systems for internal material flow. These methods are slow to scale, prone to human error, and lack real-time visibility. That’s where Twinzo steps in.

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Twinzo is a real-time 3D digital twin platform that overlays live data onto existing 3D facility models. By integrating with RTLS (Real-Time Location Systems), ERP/MES systems, and IoT sensors, Twinzo transforms complex factories into live operational dashboards - accessible from any device.

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In defense manufacturing, Twinzo delivers immediate benefits:

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Using RTLS-powered analytics, manufacturers can visualize and optimize forklift and tugger routes. One Tier 1 automotive supplier reduced fleet size from 36 to 20 forklifts and cut idle labor from 111 to 60 FTEs, saving nearly €1M annually - within just five months of implementation .

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Twinzo’s “Uber-like” material order system dynamically assigns transport tasks based on production needs and driver availability. A white goods manufacturer using this system slashed daily idle time from 20 to under 2 minutes, saving over €5 million annually and boosting production by 5% .

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Twinzo supports on-premises deployment - a crucial capability for defense contractors dealing with classified data, secure zones, or compliance-heavy environments.

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Supervisors, plant managers, and defense program leads can access a unified, real-time 3D overview of operations, identifying bottlenecks before they escalate - ideal for complex, high-mix defense production lines.

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As Europe’s defense sector expands capacity under urgent timelines, success will depend not just on engineering prowess but operational agility. Twinzo equips manufacturers with a spatial, real-time layer of intelligence that enables faster decisions, optimized labor use, and resilience in a volatile supply chain landscape.

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In short: defense readiness starts inside the factory walls. And intralogistics - powered by Twinzo - might just be the most strategic upgrade of all.

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