GENERAL NEWS
Bystronic ’ s Smart Factory vision .
Better Factory
Calls for the first Expression of Interest for the Better Factory project closed on 18 March 2021 with 367 applications from manufacturing SMEs , artists and tech suppliers from 30 different countries in Europe .
Strategic moves for Bystronic
Sheet metal specialist , Bystronic , is expanding its digital expertise with the acquisition of Spanish software specialist , Kurago Software S . L ., and strengthening its service portfolio with additional solutions , particularly for the Smart Factory . The intelligent connectivity of laser cutting systems and press brakes with innovative automation , software and service solutions is the key , it believes , to comprehensive digitalisation in the sheet metal industry .
“ Within the framework of our growth strategy , we are committed to increasing our focus on the growing demand for automation and digital processes in the sheet metal processing sector by offering new , intelligent software solutions and networking customers ’ manufacturing processes ,” Bystronic told ISMR .
The acquisition of the Spanish software specialist , Kurago , marks the next step towards achieving this goal for the Swiss sheet metal specialist . On 26 March 2021 , Bystronic took over one hundred per cent of the shares from Kurago ’ s founders . The two companies have been engaged in an innovation partnership since 2019 , during which they jointly developed open smart factory software solutions ( such as the Bystronic Smart Factory Software Suite ).
Kurago ’ s expertise will be crucial in two areas ; offering software services that help Bystronic to develop its smart factory ecosystem and global solutions that Bystronic will use to help its customers deploy Smart Factory ecosystems . Kurago will continue to operate in the market under its own brand . The privately held Spanish company was founded in September 2019 and has 52 employees in Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz . It is a certified Microsoft Gold Partner .
Why is this acquisition important for Bystronic ? Alberto Martínez , Chief Digital
Officer , Bystronic , explained : “ The Smart Factory represents a major breakthrough for the sheet metal industry . The ecosystem created by Bystronic , which combines and integrates hightech machines
Alberto Martínez , Chief Digital Officer , Bystronic .
and the latest technologies in automation and software , offers companies of all sizes the opportunity to control their production of sheet metal parts in an agile way . Crucial in today ’ s increasingly complex world is the agility and flexibility to get back on track after sudden changes or last-minute requests to successfully run a business . Bystronic offers a complete software suite that optimises the end-to-end process for the sheet metal working industry .”
In other moves , Bystronic also opened a new office in the Thai capital of Bangkok on 22 March 2021 . The office is near Suvarnabhumi international airport , east of Bangkok . Sales , service , consulting and hotline services form the core services and the office will also provide software and hardware training , as well as spare parts .
“ The newly founded Bystronic Thailand Co . Ltd . enables us to work even more closely with customers in Thailand , support them even more directly and advance into segments that could not be tackled before . The experienced team of engineers has been supporting our customers for years . A new and dynamic sales team will further increase awareness of the Bystronic brand in Thailand ,” it told ISMR . n
n 80 % of SMEs and Tech suppliers are composed of 2-49 employees .
■ 37 % of the workers ’ SMEs and tech suppliers are women .
“ It comes as no surprise to see Italy ( 11 %) in the top five of the application countries since it is the cradle of the design sector . The second-highest concentration of participants was from Romania ( 11 %) followed by the United Kingdom ( 9 %), Spain ( 8 %) and The Netherlands ( 7 %). In addition , it is interesting to note that east European countries represent more than 30 % of the total submissions ,” said the project coordinator .
“ The challenges that the European manufacturing ecosystem faces to transform into a digital and sustainable industry are enormous . ‘ Plastic and Rubber ’, ‘ Metal and Machinery ’ and ‘ Furniture and Wood ’ appear to be the first main sectors of manufacturing SME submissions . Together , the three sectors employ close to five million people in Europe ,” it added .
Better Factory aims to target each manufacturing sector with the goal of redesigning their current product and / or services portfolio together with Business and Arts mentors and Technology experts .
After assessment and evaluation by the consortium members , the chosen stakeholders from the Expression of Interest will go through a process of matchmaking through the RAMP platform . After forming the final teams , the parties will receive support on their Knowledge Transfer Experiment ( KTE ) proposal to be submitted during the Open Call stage .
Better Factory is an initiative to help Small and Medium sized ( SMEs ) European manufacturers to enter new markets by reducing production costs through optimising the use of resources and production planning . It aims to connect manufacturing SMES with companies who have proven technologies in production optimisation and to redesign products by connecting manufacturing SMEs with experienced design artists . It believes that financial and business consultancy will improve production , develop new products and create new business strategies .
For further details , e-mail : ali . Muhammad @ vtt . fi n
8 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR May 2021