The R&D Integrated Partnership Cluster Project Programme was launched on 28 May 2008. The main aim is to strengthen the competitive position by developing improved partnership models and instruments.
The following companies from the maritime production industry signed the partnership agreement:
– Bakker Sliedrecht Elektrotechniek (system integration, medium and high voltage).
– Brabant Mobiel (application of paint systems).
– Croon Elektrotechniek (system integration, low voltage).
– Damen Shipyards (shipbuilding, miscellaneous).
– GTI Suez (electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and piping).
– Heinen and Hopman (climate regulation).
– IHC Merwede (shipbuilding, miscellaneous).
– Johnson Controls (HVAC systems).
Together, they represent approximately 6000 people working in the sector. The cluster project is open to the participation of other companies active in the Dutch maritime production industry.
Main Aim
The main aim is to strengthen the competitive position by developing improved partnership models and instruments. The three principal targets of the programme are: innovative enterprise, technological and social innovation. Communication, awareness and self-awareness, training, information technology, process optimisation, information management and process transparency are a few of the core concepts being tackled.
The cluster project links up with the strategic research agenda of the Maritime Innovation Programme that was launched last year, and that is supported by the Ministry for Economic Affairs and SenterNovem.
The sector itself is running the programme in terms of content, implementation and management in cooperation with the maritime research groups of Delft Technical University.
The broad involvement of competing companies makes this the largest (pre-competitive) development project in the area of process optimisation that has ever been undertaken in the Netherlands.
Source: https://www.ihcmerwede.com/about-ihc-merwede/news/newsmessage/article/launch-of-rd-partnership-for-production-chain/[IHC Merwede]
