With expectations of good discussions, new insights, and the status of the various parts of the project, the meeting started at 10:00. After an introduction by Johan Stahre, Maria Nordström from Skogforsk took the floor to talk about the DiVISI project, which focuses on the digitization of value chains in the forest industry. Maria gave an overview of the project’s goals and expected results and shared reflections and insights that were recognizable among the other participants, even though they operate in different industries.

The participants then got to listen to the industry’s perspective on platforms. First, Ralf Ragnarsson presented his company, Nitator, and how they use and view digital platforms to optimize their business and improve customer relationships. They would like to use their ERP system as a base and get data flowing through it.

Fredrik Dahlstedt from Bufab discussed their need to know more about deliveries and possible suppliers’ delays to pass that information on to their customers. They also see an increased demand for information about CO2 footprints and knowledge to manage their warehouses best. To do this, they need to improve their technical skills to be good purchasers of the required technical solutions. Fredrik also mentioned the challenge of daring to share data and be transparent

Birgitta Fries, SSAB, shared insights about how they use platforms and their interest in knowing what data SSAB has that might be interesting and relevant to their customers. To be able to do that, proper internal systems are needed that make it possible to get a good overall picture and ensure that the data is in a format that is easy to share and use along the value chain.

Jimmie Cato, Sansera, talked about the journey from the Indian Sansera buying up the factory in Trollhättan to the fact that they now want to become the fifth largest employer in Trollhättan. To be able to do this, growth and efficiencies are needed. Jimmie talked about how Sansera entered the Digitala Stambanan Produktion project and the challenge that was the basis for the demonstrator developed in the project. An AI solution that makes connecting rods that are manufactured traceable. Jimmie then highlighted a concern that he didn’t think came up in the other presentations: who is willing to pay for the investments? Customers are not always willing to do so. In Sansera’s case, the demonstrator has been further developed into an implemented solution with similar technology but in a completely different area. Exciting!

The morning was rounded off with a catered lunch at SII-Lab. During lunch, participants could network and discuss topics covered during the morning sessions