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Around the world, the industry is undergoing a technology-driven structural transformation where existing automation and IT systems are strengthened with new digital solutions. Developments within IndTech are rapid and have great significance for companies' competitiveness. In the new report Automation is now, Automation Region points out five areas that are of particular importance to Swedish industry.

For over 100 years, Skellefteå has been a strong industrial city. Today, the municipality accounts for more than half of Västerbotten's total exports and the industry is flourishing. There are plenty of jobs, especially in wood and industrial technology, but at the same time it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to find the right skills. We need to change that.

Like all established companies, Ericsson is in a rapid transition process given the speed of technology development. To some extent, we are used to reinventing and renewing ourselves because every generation of mobile networks - 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and 6G - basically becomes a completely new product family with us. What is a bit new with 5G is that we reach so many more uses, not only consumers with smartphones but pretty much all verticals. Therefore, we must quickly scale up contacts and collaborations with developers in the companies and organizations that build new solutions that benefit from 5G networks.

Darja Isaksson is Director General of Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, and since 2019 has been a member of the Swedish National Digitalisation Council, set up by the Swedish Government. Vinnova is involved in the Industry Day on 7 September and we have spoken with Darja Isaksson about the role of the government in the continued development of the industry in Sweden.

There is often an almost reflexive effort to keep up with change and renewal, in both industry and various societal functions. But is there enough room and interest for reflection?

In the short term, it is easy to see how AI and other new technology can be used to improve work steps and processes. With the help of data analysis and algorithms, we can, for example, streamline logistics systems and change traffic flows to reduce or even out load. Very positive and clear effects in the short term, but seen in a larger perspective and in the longer term, there is a risk that they drive demand. It creates unwanted effects which, in the worst case, completely offset the positive effects.

With support from, among others, Automation Region, the graduate school IndTech Industrial Technology Graduate School has been established at Mälardalen University (MDH). The graduate school, which offers advanced education in industrial digitization, will train future research leaders to strengthen Sweden's industrial competitiveness.

The industry is increasingly strengthened by digital services and solutions, if not as fast as in other parts of society. One of the challenges is to find technical solutions that work together with existing processes and with the already existing range of machines and other equipment. It is a complex act of balance that requires many different skills.

Our vision for Industry Day on the 7^th of September is that industrial companies will be given the opportunity to present their needs and challenges while researchers show what solutions are available and what is underway. An informal discussion that can give rise to new contacts and future research issues.

Recently, the seminar series on the future forms of collaboration finished, where representatives from around 40 companies gathered to discuss working methods and organizational structures. Martin Marklund from Automation Region's member company Sigholm led the seminar series.

– In collaborations within the organization, we gain a lot from whether everyone can be a leader but is also open to being led. You are a leader in the specific situation where you are most knowledgeable, regardless of whether you are a senior or junior.

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.

Automation Region's service business network brings together product-focused companies that want to develop their service operations. Two of the network's participants are Fredrik Gustafsson, Väderstad, and Fredrik Oskarsson at Westermo. They act in different lines of business but in the network, they work towards a common goal – to make everyday life easier for their customers by developing their service portfolio.