The GCE NODE Board of Directors has given its approval for two companies to join the cluster.
TP Shipping is a leading shipbroking and logistics house within the project and heavy-lift sectors. Their focus is on the energy, fishfarming and defense industries. Incorporated in Oslo in 1986, the headquarters are now in Arendal. CEO: Thomas Parlow
NLI Grenland is part of the NLI group, a complete supplier of engineering, fabrication, installation and maintenance services with key competence on steel structures, piping, surface treatment, and E&I. NLI Grenland is located at the Trosvik Yard in Brevik. CEO: Tor Ivar Jensaas
As NATO countries increase their defense budgets, both current and aspiring providers to the defense industry met in Kristiansand this week.
The purpose of the Agder Defense Industry Dialogue meeting in Kristiansand was to explore how the Agder region can contribute to this fast-growing industry.
“Over the next ten years, Norway has committed to spending NOK 1,624 billion on its defense. This presents tremendous business opportunities for companies in our region. We should collaborate and expand partnerships to qualify and succeed as suppliers,” said Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.
With growing geopolitical tensions and an ambitious long-term defense plan unanimously adopted by the Norwegian Parliament, the need for strategic industrial partnerships has never been greater.
“Over the next ten years, Norway has committed to spending NOK 1,624 billion on its defense,” said Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.
A MARITIME SUPERPOWER State Secretary Marte Gerhardsen highlighted Norway’s maritime dominance and the importance of standardized naval vessels, urging regional companies to seize.
“Norway is a maritime superpower. Our country is 7 parts water and 1 part land, and most of our resources are in the water. We are a huge supplier of gas to Europe and the world’s second largest supplier of seafood. We have the world’s second longest coastline, and the world’s fifth largest fleet measured by value. We are of course going to maintain and strengthen our maritime capabilities,” said Gerhardsen.
She provided insight into the Norwegian defense procurement strategy, which calls for close cooperation with other allies and for making use of competence and technology from the civilian sector.
“Our vessels should be built as civilian as possible and as military as necessary,” said Gerhardsen.
281 NORWEGIAN SUPPLIERS
Experts from the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt) and the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) stressed the importance of meeting technical and sustainability requirements.
Last year, 281 Norwegian suppliers were paid a total of NOK 5.5 billion from the Materiel Agency. Among them were Kitron, Umoe Mandal, Oskar Pedersen, and more – companies that shared their success stories to illustrate the value of long-term planning, niche expertise, and strategic alliances.
“We cannot do everything ourselves. Success in this industry relies on strong partnerships with suppliers. It’s a tough market with low margins, but long-term contracts give us the stability to think many years ahead. That kind of security is invaluable,” said Tom Fidjeland, CEO of Umoe Mandal.
“Success in this industry relies on strong partnerships with suppliers,” said Tom Fidjeland (right), CEO of Umoe Mandal. Left: Hans Petter Thomassen, VP Nordics & North America at Kitron.
Tom Ivar Stie, Senior Adviser at FSi – an organization advocating the interests of the Norwegian Defence and Security Industrie – addressed the aspiring suppliers to the defense industry.
“You may ask yourselves: Where do we start? I suggest looking at the Norwegian fleet plan – it fits the Agder industry well. Just remember that the competition will be fierce and that some of your competitors have already served the industry for decades,” said Stie.
GREAT CROWD-SIZE
120 people turned out for the dialogue meeting. The large number of participants came as a surprise to many, including Kim Steinsland, Managing Director at Scanmatic – a company that has been a supplier to the defense industry since 1971.
“Ten years ago, this could have been the crowd size at a national conference. Today, we are all from the Agder region. The industry has grown considerably,” said Steinsland.
Agder Defense Industry Dialogue was hosted by GCE NODE, Digin, LO Agder, NHO Agder, Kristiansand Municipality, and Kristiansand Chamber of Commerce.
“Ten years ago, this could have been the crowd size at a national conference,” said Kim Steinsland, Managing Director at Scanmatic. 120 people turned out for the dialogue meeting. Left-right: Trygve Eidet (Kymera), Peder Andersen (AMV), Kim Steinsland (Scanmatic), and Tom Ivar Stie (FSi).
More than 50 employees at HMH and Sea1 Offshore take part in workshops to identify how artificial intelligence can create business value.
“Interest in AI is tremendous. We are an organization eager not only to learn more about the opportunities that AI presents, but also how AI can be implemented in our daily operations to increase efficiency and value creation,” says Terje Engebretsen, IT Manager at Sea1 Offshore.
32 of his colleagues signed up for “How to get started with AI” – an initiative from CapGemini and GCE NODE. During three workshops AI experts from the consultancy share examples from other businesses and industries and facilitate the participants in identifying AI opportunities within their own company.
“We will pick the lowest hanging fruits to gain experience before we expand the use of AI in our organization,” says Engebretsen.
A lot of ideas on how to utilize AI surfaced during the first session.
“In a heavily regulated business, we look to simplify some stringent procedures while remaining compliant with rules and regulations. We hope and believe that AI can help us achieve this,” says Engebretsen.
“This time, we are more focused on how AI can help us improve workflows in our organization. We have already come up with some exciting ideas. It remains to be seen if they are feasible,” says Øydna.
He praises GCE NODE and CapGemini for their initiative to assist cluster companies in advancing their knowledge and usage of artificial intelligence.
“Such initiatives bring value to us as a cluster participant,” says Øydna.
Jan Helge Viste, Transition Manager at GCE NODE, is pleased to see how popular “How to get started with AI” workshops have become.
“This serves as an example of how a cluster can facilitate technological development for its participants and improve the competitiveness of the supplier industry,” says Viste.
To have your own AI workshop series in your company, please contact Jan Helge Viste at janhelge@gcenode.no.
A sizable group at HMH discussed how AI can create business value. The session was facilitated by Svein Juvastøl Løken (CapGemini).
