Pathfinders_Hero SectionThe World's Most Productive Companies

Discover what makes Pathfinders different — and how their decisions, data, and discipline are turning productivity into competitive edge

REBUILDING INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIVITY

What It Means to Be a Pathfinder

Not all companies adapt, innovate, and grow at the same pace. Pathfinders are the organizations that break away from the pack—those that outperform their peers in industrial productivity growth through strategic transformation, innovation, and resilience. By embracing technology, efficiency, and smarter decision-making, these companies prove that industrial productivity can be rebuilt.

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Two Types of Pathfinders

The LNS Research Industrial Productivity Index identifies two distinct groups of Pathfinders driving industrial growth:

 

 

Top 3 Productivity Pathfinder

Productivity
Pathfinders

The top companies that have consistently led in productivity growth over the past six years

Pathfinders One-To-Watch_Logo

Pathfinders
Ones-To-Watch

The companies that have made the biggest leaps in productivity after a period of slower growth

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR LEADERSHIP, STRATEGY, AND CULTURE

2024’s Top 30 Most  Productive Pathfinders

The Most Productive Pathfinders represent the top 30 companies across 10 industries that have maintained superior productivity growth over the past six years. These organizations not only achieved the highest industrial productivity growth over the last three years but also demonstrated above-average growth in the three years prior.

Productivity Pathfinders Top 30

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO TRIUMPHS

2024’s Top 30 Pathfinders Ones-to-Watch

The Pathfinders Ones-to-Watch include 30 companies that have made the most significant strides in productivity over the past three years—despite having below-average growth in the three years prior. These companies demonstrate that with the right strategies, operational overhauls, and technology investments, productivity turnarounds are not only possible but can be transformative.

Pathfinders Top 30 Ones-To-Watch

Industries Shaping the 2024 Pathfinders

Our research spans 10 industries and 300+ companies, analyzing productivity trends across 100+ product categories. From manufacturing giants to specialized innovators, we track how businesses evolve, adapt, and lead in a changing industrial landscape.

CASE STUDY: ASTRAZENECA

What It Takes to Be a Pathfinder in Productivity

AstraZeneca has been named an LNS Research 2024 Pathfinder To-Watch for fundamentally changing how its organization works and performs.

Shifting from siloed operations to a globally connected, data-informed, and digitally enabled company. AstraZeneca’s transformation is rooted in the belief that productivity comes not from cost-cutting, but from rethinking how value is created across research, development, and manufacturing.

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Who’s Driving Industrial Growth?

Not all companies are experiencing the same productivity gains. While some have leveraged restructuring and economic shifts to drive transformation, others have struggled to keep up. Our analysis reveals that Productivity Pathfinders and Most Motivated Pathfinders are significantly outpacing their peers, demonstrating that the right strategies can lead to breakthrough performance. As economic conditions improve, the gap between industry leaders and laggards continues to widen.

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Industrial Productivity Index Overall Trend (4)

How to Become a Pathfinder

For operational executives interested in understanding what it takes to become a Productivity Pathfinder, LNS Research offers the data, benchmarks, and strategic insights to guide your journey. Schedule a Pathfinder benchmarking call today to explore how you can employ the best practices of Productivity Pathfinders.

 

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Engage with senior operations leaders and explore strategies that drive real productivity gains

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Read The
Report

Discover the data and insights behind the world’s most productive companies

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Book a Pathfinder Benchmarking Call

Benchmark your performance and uncover your biggest opportunities for impact

 

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