THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-EFFICIENCY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IS ONE OF THE CENTRAL THEMES OF SMART MANUFACTURING, IN PARTICULAR IN THE VISION OF INDUSTRY 4.0. HIGH PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY IS A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ALL COMPANIES, WHICH MUST DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES FROM LOW-COST COUNTRIES THROUGH THE REALISATION OF HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS, THIS ASPECT PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR THE VENETO PRODUCTION SYSTEM. MOREOVER, SYSTEMS WITH HIGH FLEXIBILITY MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR EFFICIENCY UNCHANGED EVEN IN THE FACE OF EXTREME VARIABILITY IN DEMAND, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ACHIEVING A REDUCTION IN WASTE (INCLUDING IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY) AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION RESULTING FROM INEFFICIENT PROCESSES (ENERGY EFFICIENCY). IN THIS CONTEXT OF GREAT ATTENTION TO THE USE OF RESOURCES (WHETHER RAW MATERIALS, ENERGY, MACHINERY AND PLANTS, OR HUMAN RESOURCES) THE TOPIC OF AVAILABILITY PLAYS A PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT ROLE.