Technologies Added supports scale-ups in manufacturing their first products with a shared factory.
In Emmen, the innovative company Technologies Added produces unique products for various startups in a shared factory. 'The production of the first prototypes or products is an important but difficult step for companies. Young, growing companies often do not have the resources, time and knowledge to build their own production line,' says Johan Bakker, director of Technologies Added. For this, his company offers a solution: Technologies Added produces and distributes products for a scale-up. For example, the company makes PVT solar panels for Triple Solar and smart outdoor lighting for Sustainder.
Flexibility
Most of Technologies Added' s customers have their own production lines in the factory. 'We can easily exchange machines and employees between the different production lines. That makes us efficient, both in terms of materials and costs. If companies have their own production line, they have to continue paying salaries and the like, even if production is not going on for a while. When companies hire us, this is not the case. We can assign our employees to another line.
This way, we relieve scale-ups, while being able to produce at competitive market prices. That saves a lot for our customers and we spread the risk for ourselves by working simultaneously on different products for different customers. It's also nice for our employees because it means they are not dependent on seasonal work.'
The concept is interesting for scale-ups that are starting production for the first time or companies that are experimenting with new parts. If a company eventually grows further, they can build their own factory.
Strong ecosystem
By facilitating this intermediate step, Technologies Added holds an important role in the Northern Netherlands ecosystem. Philips decided to close an important factory in the region in 2016. At the time, that was a major blow to the region. A total of 240 jobs disappeared. Technologies Added was founded that year to roll out a new concept in the existing factory. The company now works with four scale-ups. "But there is room for more," Bakker says.
NOM has invested in Technologies Added and in some of its clients. In addition, NOM is helping to build an ecosystem in the region. André Harmens, ecosystem developer high-tech systems and materials at NOM: 'We are at the heart of the triple helix (cooperation between government, business and educational institutions, ed.) and connect people and companies. Strong roots in the region can make all the difference.'
Digitizing and automating
Technologies Added's working method is relatively new, and in addition, the factory is at the forefront of automation and digitization. 'From an order from the customer, it automatically generates instructions for the production and assembly of the product. We can also automatically generate order instructions for the raw materials we need for production. The work in the warehouse - for example, for shipping the items to the end customer - is also automated as much as possible.'
Addressing staff shortages
Why should we be increasingly committed to smart factories? Harmens mentions two important trends. 'The influx of students choosing to study in the manufacturing industry has been steadily declining in recent years. On top of that, the number of people reaching retirement age is actually increasing. Over the next five years, about 30% of skilled workers will leave the company where they work because they are retiring. With the combination of these two developments, the situation is now starting to become really dire.'
Part of the solution, he says, lies in producing smarter and thus increasing productivity. "This can ensure that you can do the same amount of work with fewer people, or do more work with the same number of people. To make that happen, robotization and digitization are crucial. 'Robots can take over some tasks from people, and then data-driven work can provide better information, ultimately leading to more productivity.'
Good competitive position
That productivity also helps bring manufacturing facilities back to Europe, which many companies are currently doing. A few decades ago, many companies moved production facilities to countries like China. This made our dependence on other countries high. Meanwhile, many European companies are trying to make that dependency smaller and by bringing back (part of) production. The reasons for this vary, Harmens explains. 'There are political reasons, but global developments, such as wars, also play an important role. There are also logistical reasons, for example. Some time ago a ship was stuck in the Suez Canal. Because of the blockade on this important route, many ships had to detour and that causes a lot of delays and therefore high costs.'
Bakker is convinced that smart production - such as in Technologies Added's factory - can ensure that we can also produce cost-efficiently in the Netherlands. That way we can compete with parties abroad. 'You have to look at the total picture, so not only the costs of the product, but also of transport, import controls and all the other issues surrounding it.' There are also other advantages of producing closer to home that weigh in, he observes. 'You can then respond more quickly to changes in the market.'
Leading the way
Manufacturing companies are facing major changes, and that includes new concepts like Technologies Added's. Bakker: 'It is a new way of thinking. It doesn't all happen by itself, but step by step we will get there.' To gain knowledge and participate in innovation, the company is part of the Smart Industry branch of the Growth Fund Program NXT GEN Hightech, for example.
The director of Technologies Added wants to expand his customer base in the near future. His ambition is to establish the concept of the shared factory in Emmen abroad as well. 'Because everything is digitized, it is relatively easy to build a facility abroad as well. We can then support our customers in international growth.'