Nordic test and demonstration facilities: A mapping of test and demonstration facilities in the Nordic region

Abstract

In the Nordic countries, manufacturing plays a vital socio-economic role by contributing to employment and the economy at large. The key prerequisites are a high productivity and a strong competitive edge. One of the ways to obtain and maintain a competitive edge is if (small and medium-sized) companies apply new knowledge and new technologies. However, a key barrier for Nordic manufacturing companies that we have identified is access to test and demonstration facilities. To support the use of new technologies by companies, easy access to testing of new products and technologies is a decisive factor for the companies to gain knowledge of and inspiration for the use of the new technologies in their current business. The project therefore sets out to present a mapping of test and demonstration facilities in the Nordic countries. In addition to the mapping, we have identified ten good practice examples of such facilities. Moreover, we have identified political initiatives in the Nordic countries, including specific strategies for setting up and structuring test and demonstration facilities as well as covering possible evaluations of the demand for and quality of the facilities. The long-term objective of the mapping is to make it easy for Nordic companies to gain an overview of relevant suppliers of testing and demonstration facilities. To fulfil this objective, the intention is to offer suppliers of test and demonstration facilities an opportunity to render their testing and demonstration facilities visible to customers and business partners that are developing new products or production processes. The specific purpose of the project is:  To map Nordic test and demonstration facilities. Through a survey, we have gathered data to characterise and describe the test and demonstration facilities;  To design a proposal for an interactive product (a website or an online portal)through which (potential) users can gain access to information about Nordic testand demonstration facilities;  To describe political strategies and action plans in the Nordic countries aimed atdeveloping an infrastructure for test and demonstration facilities, and, if information is available, such as evaluations, review the benefits and impact of the strategies and action plans;  To present ten illustrative best practice cases of test and demonstration facilitieswhere experiences and lessons learned can inspire others with ambitions to develop test and demonstration facilities.