On 5 & 6 June 2014, around 20 representatives of the four JIIP member organisations and the JIIP Brussels team convened in Bilbao for this year’s JIIP Summer School. The seminar was organised and hosted by JIIP member TECNALIA and focused on the topic: “Advanced Manufacturing: Towards a New Industrial Revolution”. The two-day event consisted of an internal workshop on the first day and a public symposium on the second day.
The workshop on the first day was opened with a presentation by TECNALIA on the Factories of the Future and the key role TECNALIA has played in the activities of this Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Following that, VTT discussed the different approaches to manufacturing innovation. Joanneum Research’s contribution focused on policies for Industry 4.0, and the types of policy measures that are needed in Europe for re-industrialisation to take place. Finally, TNO presented the development of Dutch initiative Smart Industry, and in particular the interest that has surrounded this concept in the Netherlands. This was followed by a discussion on the industrial strengths of the JIIP member countries.
The Symposium on the second day took place at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, in the very appropriate context of the bi-annual International Machine-Tool Exhibition (BIEMH). The Symposium was opened by Joseba Jauregizar, Director General of TECNALIA, followed by speech by Leyre Bilbao from the Basque Government. Agustin J. Saenz then described TECNALIA’s vision of the Factory of the Future: Automated, Flexible, Connected, Sustainable, Intelligent and Social. Paul John from High Value Manufacturing Catapult explained their role in supporting companies in the UK to overcome the Valley of Death. Lastly, Didier Van den Abeele from CEA presented “La Nouvelle France Industrielle”. The Symposium closed with a Panel Discussion on the JIIP partners’ experiences and on the future of advanced manufacturing and industry in Europe.