TemaNord Digitalisation and automation in the Nordic manufacturing sector

Since the beginning of the nineties, the total employment in Nordic manufacturing has fallen with app. 500,000 persons. In spite of this fall in the employment level, manufacturing still has considerable importance for the Nordic countries. This shows for example in exports, research and development, growth in productivity and the development of rural areas. The report points that manufacturing is on the brink of a new era, called “Industry 4.0.” Tomorrow’s successful manufacturing business will be characterized by the way they are able to integrate new advanced production technology, especially digitalisation and automation. The report goes through status, barriers and political initiatives taken concerning digitalisation and automation in all of the Nordic countries. The report also brings recommendations to common Nordic initiatives and opportunities for co-operation on the area.