Dutch manufacturing industry shows growing economic impact
The manufacturing industry faces major challenges in terms of innovation, digitalization and talent recruitment. This was said by ASML CEO Peter Wennink this morning at the opening of the TechniShow and ESEF Maakindustrie, together the largest platform for the manufacturing industry in the Benelux. The manufacturing industry contributes 18% annually to the Dutch economy and has shown double-digit growth in recent years. In economic importance, the sector is now comparable to the chemical and food industries. TechniShow and ESEF Maakindustrie will take place this week at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.[/column_text][column_text]Wennink indicated that accelerating innovation must have the sector's full attention. With increasing system integration, where machines are part of a larger complex system, collaboration in the chain in innovation is of great importance. Innovation involves not only the machines themselves, but also service and maintenance. At ASML, engineers watch a customer on the other side of the world via hololenses to fix malfunctions. A collaborative, international knowledge network is the basis for remaining relevant to customers. Wennink also indicated at the opening that innovation cannot happen without risk and that the government should share in that risk. The sector could use that help.[/column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][column_text]War on Talent
A second key challenge facing the industry is recruiting and retaining talent. Wennink called on the sector not to look only to the government for this, but to work together to train talent. Veldhoven alone employs 110 nationalities, an important signal that the pool for new talent in the Netherlands is too small. Internationalizing training and investing in lifelong learning are therefore crucial to having and keeping enough talent. For example, ASML expects to double its capacity in the coming years, which means that suppliers will also have to make that move, and more employees will be needed. Of ASML's annual procurement, accounting for about 10 billion euros, 80% takes place within Europe each year, half of which is in the Netherlands.[/column_text][column_text]Digitization
Another important theme at the center of these days in Utrecht is the digitalization of the manufacturing industry. Theo Henrar, president of FME, indicated at the opening that the manufacturing industry is a backbone of the Dutch economy, which is increasingly getting the appreciation it deserves. Digitization concerns not only the machines themselves, but also the integration of all related processes, such as sales, logistics and inventory management. Henrar also stressed the great importance of cooperation in the chain in the field of digitalization and warned of the risks in the field of cybersecurity.[/column_text][column_text]Production automation must
André Gaalman, chairman of FPT-VIMAG, the Federation for Manufacturing Technology and owner of TechniShow, emphasized at the opening that the sector cannot escape further production automation, due to tight labor markets and the unrelenting need for further efficiency. In the Jaarbeurs these days, several hundred exhibitors are showing their innovations, for example in the field of 3D printing.
TechniShow and ESEF Maakindustrie will take place from Tuesday, August 30 to Friday, September 2 at the Royal Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. Entry to the events is free.[/column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][column_text]
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