New partnership opens up the defense and security market to dual-use companies
The need for new solutions in defense and public safety is growing rapidly. At the same time, many of these innovations originate outside the sector. A new partnership…
2023-12-14
Focusing on social sustainability and diversity in manufacturing
Last updated: 2024-02-01 08:43
ReactPTC is now completed and shows several positive results. The project has enabled the development of new methods and working methods and upgraded the arena within the Production Technology Center (PTC).
The aim has been to provide SMEs with access to advanced equipment and knowledge to promote a more efficient and sustainable manufacturing industry.
The project has implemented three work packages focused on making PTC accessible. Updating PTC with new equipment and making it attractive by strengthening sustainability aspects. The overall objective of the project has been to support SMEs in the manufacturing sector by increasing their access to advanced equipment and knowledge and strengthening and developing their social sustainability efforts.
- At the Production Technology Center, several projects are underway to strengthen the skills of various target groups in the field. With everything from specialized processes where development takes place around the aerospace industry of the future to strengthening the skills of small and medium-sized companies. "We want to work to raise the bar for the level of skills in the region, and to do this we need to increase the number of people who apply for the professions that are relevant in the manufacturing industry. A large part of this work involves working with social sustainability and increasing diversity in the industry," says Victor Blom, Project Manager at Innovatum Science Park.
Understanding social sustainability - A gradual process in companies
In the work package "An attractive PTC", the project has focused on increasing knowledge in social sustainability and diversity in industry, linked to companies' understanding of the positive effects of diversity. GKN Aerospace has been a key player in this work, with its great commitment and implementation of many activities in social sustainability. Both large and small companies have been invited to meetings where training and exchange of experience have been in focus. The work package has acted as a platform for companies to prepare for these meetings, and an external consultant has delivered training.
Malin Andersson, who is responsible for diversity and inclusion at GKN Aerospace, is very positive about the work that has come out of the ReactPTC project. Malin emphasizes that one of the keys to success in the work is that companies and social actors collaborate, no company wins in the matter if not everyone is involved. So gathering experience and knowledge in the area together, getting ideas and approaches is important - this has been very good with ReactPTC.
- At GKN Aerospace, we work with this issue through various initiatives, by creating awareness, creating and maintaining a dialog on the issue, ensuring that our working methods and processes include the diversity perspective and it is also about actually showing that we take a stand. We are far from where we want to be, for example, we currently have an unequal distribution between men and women that we must change in order to achieve our strategies and goals. This will require a lot of work from us as a company but also the society in which we operate. How do we get more girls interested in engineering from middle and high school? The image of industry and of the engineering profession must change," says Malin Andersson, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at GKN Aerospace.
The ReactPTC project has now led to the establishment of a network for "Diversity and Inclusion in Manufacturing Industry in Trestad". What was started in the project will continue to be run, among other things, under the auspices of GKN Aerospace together with other companies in the region.
- We are very proud of the network "Diversity and inclusion in the manufacturing industry in Trestad"! As part of the network, we want to do targeted activities even outside the network itself and a first activity we did this summer was to walk together in the Pride Train and show that we take a stand together. I am convinced that this will grow over the years - more companies need to stand up and take a stand. Being part of the Pride Festival is not the whole solution, but a piece of the puzzle to where we want to be, Malin emphasizes.
Several activities stemming from the project have contributed to raising awareness of sustainability and social aspects, particularly in the areas of recruitment and diversity.
Positive impact on the manufacturing industry through the project's contribution and effects
During the course of the work, the project has been well anchored with the Västra Götaland region's organization and also has strong links to the regional development strategy. The participants have managed to establish links with companies and other stakeholders and the results are expected to be taken further by the participating parties and companies.
Part of the project aimed to increase the availability and use of PTC. The participants have done this by creating different forms of knowledge and experience sharing. Some examples of activities that have resulted from the project include the company Oxeon, which has used the composite press and RTM equipment at the PTC. Using the equipment and collaboration at the PTC, they have produced a demonstrator of a new advanced composite material in the form of a generic joint splint. Once Oxeon had production tested their new material and produced the demonstrator, they were able to exhibit their work at the JEC World 2023 international exhibition. The development in turn helped GKN Aerospace, who gained knowledge of an interesting material and at the same time had the opportunity to develop the production process.
Elitkomposit also made progress with the help of PTC when they produced test pieces in the press. Elitkomposit had the opportunity to test a production equipment/process that they do not have access to at their own facility. GKN contributed with their knowledge of the equipment and got to share Elitkomposit's general composite knowledge.
The startup Procada is another company that gained access to a test cell for the development of equipment and methods that control automated 3D printing in metal with welding wire and laser as a heat source. Procada got access to a cell in an environment where University West conducts research in the field and GKN conducts development work. Procada contributes with its knowledge of automated process control, University West with its knowledge of welding in general and laser welding in particular and GKN with its knowledge of the industrial requirements.
The project has several positive effects and the future indicates that several companies will run internal development projects after the project has ended. Especially considering the documented interest and commitment from the participating organizations, something all project participants are very proud of!
"The project clearly shows that the network around PTC with small and large companies, University West and the university's knowledge in everything from researchers to technicians, institutes, etc. have great opportunities to solve complex and difficult tasks in innovation work through cooperation / collaboration in various forms. The best thing to see is that the project participants are so satisfied and think that the project has contributed positively to the development of the manufacturing industry in the region"
Leif Johansson, Innovation Manager, Innovatum Science Park
For more information, please contact:
Victor Blom
Project Manager Sustainable Industry