Onward Partners

What Onward Partners does

Onward Partners (legal entity: Onward GmbH) is a privately held management consulting firm headquartered in Aachen, Germany, with an additional flexible working presence in Cologne. The firm was founded as a spin-off from the Industrie 4.0 Maturity Center at RWTH Aachen Campus by the original developers of the acatech Industry 4.0 Maturity Index — a structured framework that evaluates manufacturing digital maturity across six levels (Computerization, Connectivity, Visibility, Transparency, Predictability, Adaptability) and four structural areas (Resources, Information Systems, Organizational Structure, Culture). Onward serves global manufacturing enterprises seeking to align digital transformation across multi-plant production networks, with named client engagements including CBMM (a 17-plant Unified Namespace rollout) and GAPLAST.

The company's core technology is the Industry 4.0 Maturity Platform, a SaaS product that operationalizes the maturity index by replacing Excel-based assessment workflows with structured, real-time collaboration across global production sites. Onward layers consulting service lines on top of this platform — Global Transformation Management, AI in Manufacturing, Digital Factory, IIoT Architecture, Sales and Operations Planning, and Connected Worker Solutions — alongside learning programs (3-day Expert Training, DTAM, and free platform webinars) and content assets such as the Industry 4.0 Maturity Benchmark 2026. Per stated methodology, the framework draws on 442+ assessments across 125+ manufacturing organizations and 250+ factories.

Onward generates revenue through three streams: project-based consulting (maturity assessments, roadmaps, on-site implementation), expert training programs, and recurring SaaS subscriptions on the Maturity Platform. Distribution is sales-led and field-intensive, with approximately 40% consultant travel to client sites globally, supplemented by content marketing (webinars, whitepapers), industry events such as SPS, and a channel partnership with Siemens Xcelerator (announced November 2023). Leadership is concentrated among three founders — Christian Hocken (Managing Partner), Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Schmitz, and Dr.-Ing. Tobias Harland — who drive both the consulting practice and ongoing methodology development, supported by an emerging software engineering function.

Name

Onward Partners

Legal name

Onward GmbH

Website

https://onward.partners

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Onward Partners is a Germany-based management consultancy that helps global manufacturing enterprises assess and scale digital transformation using its proprietary Industry 4.0 Maturity Index framework and SaaS platform, serving 125+ manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Manufacturing Digital Transformation Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital & Technology Transformation Consulting (BPAHACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Strategy & Transformation (BPAHAEAA), Data, Analytics & AI Consulting (BPAHAEAF), Operations & Process Improvement Consulting (BPAHACAB), Software Engineering & Application Modernization (BPAHAEAD)

Keywords

• Digital transformation consulting
• Industry 4.0 maturity
• Smart factory advisory
• IIoT architecture design
• Manufacturing transformation roadmaps

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Digital Transformation Consulting Services: Project-based consulting engagements including maturity assessments, digital transformation strategy development, transformation roadmap design, and implementation support. Engagements involve management workshops, on-site factory visits, and expert training sessions. The company works with manufacturing clients globally across all continents.
2. Expert Training Programs: 3-day training programs to apply the Industrie 4.0 Maturity Index independently, using case studies and the Maturity Platform. Also includes Digital Transformation Advanced Module (DTAM) for manufacturing companies.
3. Industry 4.0 Maturity Platform (SaaS): Software platform for managing digital transformation assessments, roadmaps, and collaboration across global production networks. Platform replaces Excel-based tracking and enables structured transformation management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Onward Partners sells project-based digital transformation consulting for global manufacturers, anchored in the acatech Industry 4.0 Maturity Index methodology and delivered through maturity assessments, transformation strategy/roadmap design, and implementation support across practice areas such as Global Transformation Management, AI in Manufacturing, Digital Factory, IIoT-Architecture, S&OP, and Connected Worker Solutions. Alongside consulting, it licenses the Industry 4.0 Maturity Platform (a SaaS tool that replaces Excel-based tracking) and runs Expert Training and DTAM learning programs for clients and partners.

Product overview

Onward Partners offers a portfolio of consulting services and software products for digital transformation in manufacturing. The core product is the Industry 4.0 Maturity Platform, a digital assessment and roadmap tool that works alongside consulting engagements. The consulting portfolio includes Global Transformation Management, AI in Manufacturing, Digital Factory, IIoT-Architecture, Sales and Operations Planning, and Connected Worker Solutions. Learning offerings consist of Expert Training (3-day program), the Digital Transformation Advanced Module (DTAM), and Platform Webinars. The company was founded by experts behind the acatech Industry 4.0 Maturity Index framework and applies this methodology across global manufacturing environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Industry 4.0 Maturity Platform: A structured platform for assessing, prioritizing, and implementing digital initiatives consistently across globally distributed production sites.

Products and services

• Industry 4.0 Maturity Platform Digital platform for assessing digital maturity, analyzing results, and documenting roadmap decisions consistently across globally distributed production sites. Replaces Excel-based tracking with real-time collaboration, centralized data management and support for standardized and custom maturity models alongside Lean frameworks.
• Global Transformation Management Consulting service helping multinational manufacturers manage complex transformation processes on a global scale with clear strategies, scalable structures and measurable Industry 4.0 results.
• AI in Manufacturing Consulting service enabling manufacturers to align strategy, technology and execution to move beyond isolated AI pilot projects and unlock scalable business impact from AI, including predictive insights, smarter decisions, and automated processes across production.
• Digital Factory Consulting service to build data-driven factories that unlock 10-20% efficiency gains by creating real-time operational transparency, breaking down silos and accelerating decision-making on the factory floor.
• IIoT-Architecture Consulting service for designing cutting-edge IIoT architecture meeting data, sustainability, and adaptability requirements to build smart factory spaces that learn, scale and deliver performance.
• Sales and Operations Planning Consulting service aligning sales, production and procurement with integrated S&OP to improve forecasts, balance capacities and make faster decisions.
• Connected Worker Solutions Consulting service empowering workers with real-time connection, intuitive tools, and intelligent workflows to unlock productivity, safety, and collaboration across the factory floor.
• Expert Training 3-day training program equipping participants to apply the Industrie 4.0 Maturity Index independently using case studies and the Maturity Platform to drive digital transformation.
• Digital Transformation Advanced Module (DTAM) Program helping manufacturing companies create a shared understanding of digital transformation, align strategic priorities, and develop practical solutions that directly strengthen their organization.
• Platform Webinar Free 45-minute webinar demonstrating how the Industrie 4.0 Maturity Platform replaces Excel-based tracking, enables real-time collaboration, and helps manage digital transformation effectively.

Quantifiable outcome

• Data-driven factories unlock 10-20% efficiency gains by creating real-time operational transparency
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Siemens XceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2023Onward Partners joined the Siemens Xcelerator ecosystem, announced at SPS 2023. This partnership creates a new channel to reach companies already working with Siemens and provides access to the Siemens customer base. Onward Partners' portfolio is listed on the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace.
• CBMMflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBMM, the world's leading supplier of niobium-based products, partnered with Onward to implement a Unified Namespace architecture across 17 production plants. This success story demonstrates Onward's ability to deliver scalable IIoT architecture transformations.
• GAPLASTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAPLAST collaborated with Onward Partners on a webinar demonstrating scalable IIoT architecture implementation. Benjamin Hochmuth, Expert Smart Factory at GAPLAST, co-presented with Dr. Jacques Engländer from Onward Partners.
• RWTH Aachen Campus / Industrie 4.0 Maturity CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnward Partners is a spin-off from the Industrie 4.0 Maturity Center at RWTH Aachen Campus. The company maintains close cooperation with the center, running joint qualification programs for customers and collaborating on framework improvements and studies.
• acatech (German Academy of Science and Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnward Partners was founded by the leading experts who developed the acatech Industry 4.0 Maturity Index. The framework was developed under the umbrella of acatech and is internationally recognized for managing digital transformation in manufacturing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• McKinsey & Company (Operations Practice): Global management consultancy whose Operations and QuantumBlack practices deliver end-to-end manufacturing digital transformation programs; competes on enterprise-scale mandates and ability to bundle assessments with broader strategy work.
• Capgemini Engineering: Global digital engineering and industrial transformation services arm of Capgemini, delivering Industry 4.0, smart factory, AI and IIoT consulting to large manufacturers — overlapping with Onward's consulting and IIoT-architecture offerings.
• BCG (Operations & Manufacturing): Boston Consulting Group's operations and smart factory practices serve many of the same global manufacturers as Onward, offering transformation, AI and Industry 4.0 advisory at global scale.
• Deloitte Digital / Consulting: Big Four firm with a sizeable industrial transformation practice including IIoT architecture, ERP and digital factory work; competes primarily on breadth, brand, and ability to deliver large multi-country programs.
• Roland Berger: Global German-origin strategy consultancy with a strong industrial / manufacturing practice; competes for the same digital transformation budgets at large manufacturers but as part of a broader strategic advisory portfolio.

Direct peers

• ROI-EFESO: Management consultancy specializing in manufacturing performance, operational excellence and digital factory transformation, competing head-to-head with Onward for European manufacturer transformation mandates.
• T.A. Cook Consultants: German-headquartered consultancy focused on asset-intensive and manufacturing operations, offering digital transformation, reliability and operational excellence work — a directly adjacent specialist competitor.
• Staufen AG: German operational excellence and Industry 4.0 consultancy with a similar focus on helping mid-to-large manufacturers transform shopfloor operations; comparable in geography, target customer (industrial firms), and digital factory/lean transformation offerings.

Emerging players

• ADAMOS: Industry 4.0 IIoT platform venture from leading German mechanical engineering firms (DMG MORI, Dürr, Zeiss, etc.); overlaps with Onward's IIoT architecture and maturity assessment work from a software-platform angle.
• Festo Consulting / Festo Didactic: Industrial automation specialist with a consulting and training arm that addresses factory digitalization, learning programs and Industry 4.0 enablement — overlaps with Onward's training (Expert Training/DTAM) and digital factory work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/onwardpartners
• Instagraminstagram.com/onward_partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Onward Partners