Minister of Trade and Industry, Monica Mæland, cut the ribbon to open Mechatronics Innovation Lab.

Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland officially opened Mechatronics Innovation Lab Wednesday.

In front of more than 300 people, Mæland cut a ribbon held by two of the robots that now occupy the national test laboratory, located at the University of Agder’s Grimstad campus.

“MIL is located here in Agder, but it is not a lab primarily for Agder. It is a national lab, maybe even an international lab. It unifies businesses and academia in a splendid way,” said Mæland.

She praised the university and GCE NODE for pushing the lab forward.

“I had hardly received the keys to my office before CEO Anne-Grete Ellingsen at GCE NODE asked for a meeting to talk about MIL. Politicians from Agder have pushed, so have all good forces. And it has been done with great enthusiasm,” said Mæland.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry and her government supplied the necessary MNOK 100 for equipment for the lab.

“Competence is the key to the future. I am looking forward to following the development of MIL closely in the years to come,” says Mæland.

MIL has enjoyed broad political support. Left-right: Hans Fredrik Grøvan (Christian Democrats), Norunn Tveiten Benestad (Conservative Party), Bernt Inge Øhrn (CEO of MIL), Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland, Ingunn Foss (Conservative Party), State Secretary Ingvil Smines Tybring‐Gjedde (Progress Party) and Petter Toldnæs (Liberal Party).