The meeting and workshop was the third in series of meeting arranged by a joint project between GCE NODE, GCE Blue Martime and GCE Subsea. The two previous meetings were held in Ålesund and Bergen.
“We are here to talk and learn about technology, connectivity and business models, but most of all; we are here to find ways to make more money. This is primarily a ‘make-more-money-workhop’,” said Arnt Aske, Project Manager for GCE NODE, in his introduction.
“We are convinced that the digital transformation will have a positive effect for reducing cost. However, it depends on if and how we are willing to explore more drastic strategies to boost efficiency, including making use of data, automation and robotics,” said Aske.
20 people, the majority from SME’s in GCE NODE, attended the workshop. Presentations were given by Odd Myklebust (Sintef Raufoss Manufacturing), Gøril Hannås, (University of Agder), Øystein Sannarnæs (Engineering Systems), Arild Førsund (Lean Consulting), Arne Tande (Robotek), Audun Sanderud (PPM) and Bernt Inge Øhrn (Mechatronics Innovation Lab).
Divided into working groups after lunch, the participants sought to find solutions to different problems and challenges. The willingness to consider digital technologies with the potential to transform operations and create additional profits from existing capacity was evident. The group is looking forward to test out new ideas and concepts in the Mechatronics Innovation Lab in Grimstad, especially all the new types of robots.
The next step for the joint project between Norway’s three GCE clusters is to drive projects that will improve efficiency and reduce costs of the participating companies and to share lessons-learned across board.
The project is funded by a governmental program supporting the restructuring of petroleum-related industries in the Southern and Western part of Norway. The program is administered by Hordaland County.
Gøril Hannås (University of Agder)
