IndTech - a somewhat anonymous Swedish speciality
Automation Region was founded in 2007 by a number of automation companies in the Mälardalen region who jointly wanted to pursue issues related to competence and development. Their initiatives and continued commitment have since resulted in lots of concrete efforts, collaborations and projects that have made Swedish industry more competitive.
Times are changing and development in our area is rapidly progressing. Today we talk less about industry segments – automation and digitization are crucial success strategies regardless of industry. Collaborating across both regional and national boundaries to learn from each other feels natural. Cooperation is a means of competition and a prerequisite for being able to take the lead in digitization and the transition towards a more sustainable production.
However, the competence challenge is as relevant now as it was in 2007 and therefore it feels incredibly positive that we now have a university here in Mälardalen. It enables solid, joint investments with a view to the industry and society of the future, both in terms of research and education.
Automation Region's action plan for the current year is based on three areas that have been identified through a comprehensive needs analysis – connected industry, intelligent systems and flexible automation. During the year, we carry out a number of different projects, activities, workshops and conferences that link to these areas. All with slightly different perspectives and target groups but with a common focus on implementation, to move forward and dare testing solutions that can make a difference.
Something we have not talked so much about before is the concept of IndTech – the technology that makes the industry smarter. Together with PiiA and Blue Institute, we have mapped this emerging Swedish area of strength and on 4th of May we will launch the report Swedish IndTech 2021. Swedish technology exports are a historic success and IndTech is a quiet Swedish paradigm. It is something we want to start talking about, and something we can gather around and strengthen further.
You are very welcome to the digital launch of this report on May 4th. Also keep an eye out for Automation Region's other upcoming activities and do not hesitate to contact me or any of my colleagues for further discussion. I'll see you later!
Catarina Berglund
Process Manager, Automation Region