SFI Manufacturing's vision is to show that sustainable manufacturing in a high-cost country like Norway is possible, given the right products, technologies and people. Cross-disciplinary research in multi-material products and processes, automated production and innovative organizations will provide a knowledge based toolbox for future industrial innovations.
Good start-up period
The research centre has had a good start-up period. – I am very pleased to see how our consortium is developing SFI Manufacturing into a vital research centre, says centre manager Sverre Gulbrandsen-Dahl. – The research activities in 2015 were mainly focused on defining focus areas for in-depth research. This work has resulted in a detailed plan for 2016, several state-of-the-art surveys, and the recruitment of to highly qualified PhD-candidates.
During the first year, the participation in workshops has been excellent, and both Sandvik Teeness and Norsk Hydro have joined the consortium. – We hope this is an indication of the centre's relevance and attractiveness for the Norwegian manufacturing industry. Our intention is to develop this further.
Competence as an engine for change
The reduced growth of oil revenues and the need for economical change highlights productivity as an increasingly important prerequisite for Norway's competitiveness and welfare. SFI Manufacturing builds on existing national capabilities and aims to strengthen manufacturing companies' ability to innovate.
– We know that Norway can gain global competiveness, also without a single oil-lubricated crown, says Sverre Gulbrandsen-Dahl. – Joint competence centres based on industrial clusters may be Norway's change engines.
