Description of business and digitisation

Metal and steel construction includes a variety of structural and aesthetic solutions. The combination with other materials results in structural craftsmanship that can be used both indoors and outdoors. We advise planners, builders and architects in Paderborn and the surrounding area in the planning and implementation of aesthetic yet functional solutions. Our custom-made metal products meet the requirements of the industry as well as fire protection tasks. Whether in the private, public or industrial sector, we produce individual metal solutions that contribute to creating a piece of quality of life. According to your specifications, we create a wide variety of metal products made to measure for the home, garden and industry: carports, canopies, steel staircases, steel structures, balcony and stair railings, terrace roofs, porch balconies, garden furniture and bikeports. Whether for house owners, industry or property management companies: Our many years of experience and comprehensive professional competence enable us to carry out the entire range of services from steel construction to locksmith work. Whether fences or garage doors, balconies, awnings or railings, doors or window grilles: we have the experience and expertise to ensure professional installations. Even solutions made of steel or metal in combination with other materials pose no problem for us. We are happy to provide you with our full service on site to help you turn your vision into reality. There are virtually no limits to the possibilities: With us, you will receive the complete services for your steel construction project in or near Paderborn. We are there for you from consultation, planning, production and construction to assembly. Our professional staff will carry out all work reliably and on schedule.

Years in business

Size of your business

25 employees

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

Pitfalls and challenges

Opportunities and plans for the future

Description of business and digitisation

Inga's business idea is based on newly developed software that uses social media channels to alert candidates willing to change jobs to a vacancy and to enter into a dialogue with them. Behind it are AI algorithms that have the task of matching vacancies with potentially suitable employees on channels such as Facebook and Instagram.

Years in business

Foundation: 2019, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Size of your business

Employees: 10

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

Pitfalls and challenges

Opportunities and plans for the future

Description of business and digitisation

Digitization in scaffolding The startup Moselcopter GmbH offers a wide range of services, which includes aerial and ground photography, room visualization, 3D model creation and true-to-scale measurement. For example, architects and planners can benefit from high-resolution aerial photographs during construction design and craftsmen such as roofers or painters can also make their work more precise, safer and more predictable thanks to scale-to-scale measurements.

Years in business

Foundation: 2018 in Longuich, Germany

Size of your business

2 employees

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

No support, we have worked out and set up everything ourselves for the startup.

Pitfalls and challenges

To convince craft businesses, architects, etc. of digitization. Unfortunately, there is still no uniform software for reading in digital building twins, which is associated with a lot of time and costs.

Opportunities and plans for the future

Faster digital communication across the construction site. Avoidance of miscalculations due to better planning security. Further growth of the company.

Description of business and digitisation

SCAFFEYE enables an uncomplicated and digital safety check of every scaffolding directly on the construction site via smartphone app (iOS & Android). There is a release slip with a QR code on each scaffolding. All information about the release of the scaffolding is stored there. The scaffolders can then store and manage their scaffolding accordingly via the web version of the program.

Years in business

Foundation: 2018, in Longuich Germany.

Size of your business

Employees: <5

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

No support.

Pitfalls and challenges

To convince craft businesses in general and the scaffolding industry of digitization, as well as of occupational safety.

Opportunities and plans for the future

The product offers legal security when dealing with scaffolding. Future plans for further development and sale to an investor

Description of business and digitisation

unilab is a digitization partner for medium-sized companies. unilab, which focuses on digitisation, IT automation, data centre + cloud, network + security and modern workplaces, is located in the OWL metropolitan area and is an established partner for medium-sized companies. Our customers benefit from more than 30 years of experience in consulting, planning, installation and maintenance of IT infrastructure solutions, such as server and storage systems, security solutions, networks and virtualization. As process and digitization consultants for big data, interface management and software-based data evaluation, we provide our customers with advice and support. We accompany medium-sized companies into the digitalization process!

Years in business

Foundation: 22nd August 1988 as unilab Software GmbH in Braunschweig from the Technical University and the Paderborn-based company Nixdorf Computer AG was founded. In the year 1992 a new company headquarters in the Technology Park in Paderborn opened and in the year 2000 further expanded into a stock corporation. Now the group includes 5 companies at the Paderborn locations, Mönchengladbach and Düsseldorf.

Size of your business

Employees: around 55 employees. Total sales in 2018: almost 10 million euros.

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

In the course of its development, unilab has already spun off several new topics into its own companies or created new ones. The acquisition of new investments in digital hubs or the establishment of a start-up partner program provide both the financial and the organizational and technical framework.

Pitfalls and challenges

Looking back, we would be bringing even closer external know-how on board today to achieve our goals more quickly. Even if some developments can be started from our own know-how, there is sometimes a lack of neutrality for weighing up costs and benefits. It is important to have a clear goal and fixed planning periods and to pursue these consistently.

Opportunities and plans for the future

For unilab, the transformation from IT service provider to digital brand is on the agenda. To combine the existing with the new. E.g. our cloud data center as an asset for new startups. To be an incubator for new ideas and solutions. Through Collaboration there is a faster growth. You don't always have to develop everything yourself but build up a large network. Use shared economy but offer customers everything from a single source, this is the challenge. Besides, additional distribution channels are available, particularly in the social media sector. Here, know-how must be built up to revive the networks. Then even in 10 years there will be still an infinite number of synergies to be exploited. According to the motto: "The quality of our goals determines the quality of our future".

Description of business and digitisation

We operate nationally and internationally. We manufacture metal furniture for the contract-retail and hotel sector. The existing areas of work are TIG welding, polishing, laser, machining and programming, powder coating, as well as shipping and packaging. We are implementing various processes that help to eliminate paper and ensure greater data reliability. In addition, all software implemented generates a large amount of data which is then analysed to improve quality and productivity. We use PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools for analysis and quality of the manufacturing process, as well as critical control points. We are implementing a WMS (Warehouse Management System) that will allow us to know the stock and location of products and materials. We are also analysing new systems that will require IIoT equipment. We use Scada software at process level, but we do not have a digital twin for the whole factory. We have time control and WMS (Warehouse Management System) that allowed us to eliminate a large part of the paper support. We are also in the process of validating the offer of an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) system that will allow us to eliminate paper invoices and delivery notes. With regard to staff training, we are increasingly using digital solutions for training and learning, through computer applications, live virtual training with platforms such as Zoom, Teams, e-learning, etc., with flexible timetables adapted to the needs of the workers and the company. Fresno metal SLU specifically forms part of the metal sector due to its collective bargaining agreement and activity. However, at a macro level, it is part of the Retail-Contract sector for which all the Group's companies work. Or one could even say the world of Construction, given the wide range of projects for which it works.

Years in business

Fresno metal SLU itself has been in operation since 2011. It is part of the Malasa Group of companies. The first company of the business group, Comercial Malasa SLU, has been in the sector for 29 years, since 1992. The other companies that make up the Group were created around it: Ebanistería Barreiro SLU, Montajes Cerceda SLU, both belonging to the wood carpentry and technical studies sector, Fresno Cristal SLU in the glass branch and Fresno Metal SLU in the metal branch, all of them complementing each other in order to achieve the strategic objectives of the Group.

Size of your business

Fresno metal SLU is dedicated to the manufacture and installation of made-to-measure furniture for commercial, catering, hotel and residential spaces, as well as the integral construction and refurbishment of these spaces both internationally and nationally. It currently employs more than 230 people directly. It provides services for more than 35 clients. Its annual turnover has risen in 2019 to 12 million euros and in 2020, the year of the pandemic, to 7 million euros.

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

In the initial stages, we had the support and backing of our legal and labour advisors, as well as professionals in the sector and recognised consultancy firms. With this advice, we were able to embark on a safe and prudent venture in accordance with the strategic plan set out by the organisation. In terms of digital learning, we relied on suppliers in the sector who are up to date with the latest trends in state-of-the-art machinery and new IT applications or software in the sector.

Pitfalls and challenges

The biggest difficulties in setting up the company have been bureaucracy and red tape. At that time, digitalisation was not so advanced and cannot be compared to the current state. We would recommend that anyone who wants to start a business in the field of metallurgy should surround themselves with professionals who are experts in the sector, with good advisors who can guide them in making decisions, drawing up the strategic plan to be followed and carrying out the feasibility study. • Would you change your initial approach? We would not change the initial approach at all. • Do you think the pitfalls that you had to face are still prevailing? The difficulties we had to face still exist, although to a lesser extent. Digitalisation helped a lot in facilitating administrative procedures and information gathering.

Opportunities and plans for the future

In terms of opportunities with regard to digital learning and training activities, the most important thing is access to knowledge: digital learning allows access in real time, can be updated at any time and is available to everyone. There is agility and ease in terms of learning processes, as well as personalisation according to the needs of each company and of the moment. It is training that adapts to the company. In terms of whether we think we have room to grow in the future using this type of learning? Of course we do. We are just starting, it is the future and it will be boosted in the coming years, it allows an acceleration of the improvement and digitisation of production processes with the consequent improvement in productivity and performance. Fresno metal SLU continues to invest in cutting-edge technology that requires the corresponding technological know-how and right now everything points to the digital and global world, so it still has a long way to go in this direction. A change of ERP is also underway, the implementation of a WMS, thus automating and digitalising warehouse operations, the introduction of a computer application for clocking in and internal labour procedures, the replacement of biometric clocking-in machines with facial recognition ones, among other investments. In 10 years' time, it is difficult to know what the company will be like, but it will surely be totally digitalised, with more mechanised production processes and with the need for highly qualified professionals in this field. We are in a phase of accelerating modernisation of production and communication processes, boosted by digitalisation, which the pandemic has increased even more.

Description of business and digitisation

Automotive transmission components company. Production of CV (constant velocity) joints and assembly of complete transmissions for front-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles. Our main processes are: Machining, Heat treatment and Assembly. We have developments in: - Predictive maintenance based on vibration analysis and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) sensors. - Use of BI (Business Intelligence) tools for data analysis and KPI (Key Performance Indicator) tracking. - Capture and analysis of process data. - Machine learning algorithms, especially for image processing focused on quality control. - AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) for material movement. - Robotic cells for material movement connected to the AGV system. We still use paper in certain processes, but our roadmap is to go paperless. We use BI (Business Intelligence) tools quite extensively for indicator tracking and data analysis. We use Captor as our MES (Manufacturing Execution System; integrated real-time production management), which includes several functionalities that allow us to eliminate paper and have records directly in the database. Although we have done some testing with virtual/augmented reality, we have not implemented it yet. We use traditional media, tending more and more to the use of videos and images and less and less to text.

Years in business

48 years

Size of your business

- Company with 731 employees (permanent and temporary). - Centre of Excellence in the manufacture of CV joints in Europe. - Direct External Customers: Ford, Stellantis, Renault-Nissan, VW and Mercedes. - Internal GKN customers: Approx. 15 - Our plant directly or indirectly supplies almost every car brand in the world. - Approx. 200 million €.

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

Pitfalls and challenges

The greatest difficulty lies in the change-denial culture. Fear of the unknown, having to leave one's comfort zone, possible conflicts with personal, work or financial plans that may result from change. Stepping out of the comfort zone is the way forward and the way to achieve personal and professional challenges

Opportunities and plans for the future

Transformation of the entire production process and product development models into a digital model.

Description of business and digitisation

CARRIES OUT ENGINEERING, EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENT MANUFACTURING, MACHINING, BOILERMAKING, SURFACE TREATMENT, INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE, ASSEMBLY, DISASSEMBLY AND SUPPLY ACTIVITIES IN THE METAL-MECHANICAL FIELD. AN ERP BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING) AND ITS OWN APPLICATIONS DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO THE BUSINESS GROUP'S NEEDS ARE USED. WE DEVELOP PRODUCT/SERVICE ON CUSTOMER REQUEST SO THE DIGITAL TWIN IS NOT USED BUT WE DO USE 3D SOLUTIONS THAT PROVIDE ADEQUATE INFORMATION. THE COMPANY HAS CENTRAL SERVERS AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS THAT FACILITATE PAPER REDUCTION. AN ANNUAL TRAINING PLAN IS PROMOTED AND ONLINE TRAINING IS FACILITATED AND USUALLY MADE AVAILABLE BY TRAINING PROVIDERS.

Years in business

80 YEARS

Size of your business

INTAF GROUP IS MADE UP OF 6 COMPANIES THAT HAVE AN AVERAGE TURNOVER OF 20 MILLION EUROS PER YEAR AND WITH A VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT CLOSE TO 200 WORKERS. INTAF HAS A VERY LARGE CLIENT PORTFOLIO, AS IT SERVES BOTH SMALL COMPANIES AND MULTINATIONALS IN THE CONVENTIONAL AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, IRON AND STEEL, NAVAL, PORT AND OTHER SECTORS.

Supports to set up your business and digitisation

WE ARE DEALING WITH A GROUP THAT HAS MORE THAN 80 YEARS OF HISTORY SO, AS NEW COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CREATED, THE KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED HAS BEEN USED AS A STARTING POINT. THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY ENTITIES SUCH AS IGAPE (Galician Institute of Economic Promotion) HAS BEEN OF GREAT HELP, BOTH IN TERMS OF TRAINING AND AID, WHICH HAS ENABLED COLLABORATION WITH WORK GROUPS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIGO AND UNIVERSITY OF A CORUÑA ON DIGITALISATION ISSUES. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN COLLABORATION WITH EOI (SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION) ON TRAINING IN FOREIGN TRADE, WITH THE FERROLTERRA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ON DIGITAL MARKETING, ETC.

Pitfalls and challenges

FIRSTLY, IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE AN ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF INTERNAL PROCESSES AND NEEDS. BASED ON THESE PREMISES, IT IS NECESSARY TO DRAW UP A CONTINUOUS PLAN FOR INNOVATION IN PROCESSES AND ORGANISATION IN THE COMPANY, WHICH ALLOWS US TO BE AWARE OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND IMPLEMENT THEM IN THE COMPANY AS AND WHEN IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THEIR ACQUISITION CAN BE ADEQUATELY AMORTISED. THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, SO EVERY APPROACH NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED. IN ANY CASE, THERE IS A NEED FOR CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS.

Opportunities and plans for the future

REDUCE THE ADAPTATION PERIOD OF NEWLY HIRED WORKERS TO THE COMPANY AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY. THERE IS AN INVESTMENT PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT THROUGH INVESTMENT IN ICT EQUIPMENT, ACQUISITION OF NEW MACHINERY AND STAFF TRAINING. A COMPANY WITH INCREASED PRODUCTION CAPACITY, DIGITISED PROCESSES AND ORGANISATIONAL STREAMLINING.