Manufacturing 4.0 webinar connects Austrian, Vietnamese businesses
Manufacturing 4.0 webinar connects Austrian, Vietnamese businesses
A recent webinar on applying advanced digital technologies in the manufacturing sector brought together government officials, universities, Vietnamese firms and industrial technology leaders from Austria.
The “Towards Manufacturing 4.0” webinar connected Austrian high-tech engineering and machinery companies with Vietnamese manufacturers looking to increase their competitiveness and decrease costs
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Titled “Towards Manufacturing 4.0,” the webinar was hosted by RMIT University’s Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) and ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA.
The head of CODE, Associate Professor Jerry Watkins, said the webinar was perfectly timed to help Vietnamese manufacturers plan their next technology investments as global markets continue their recovery.
“One of the biggest opportunities for Vietnam will be to upgrade the capability of its manufacturing sector using emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the internet of things,” he said.
“We’ve already seen VinFast making a significant investment in robotics and automation, which is a clear signal of the kind of opportunities available to those Vietnamese manufacturers willing to invest in technology and innovation.”
Austrian Commercial Counsellor Dietmar Schwank, said one objective of the webinar was to connect Austrian high-tech engineering and machinery companies with Vietnamese manufacturers who are looking to increase their competitiveness and decrease costs.
Experts in smart manufacturing, robotics and machine learning from leading Austrian firms like Bruker Alicona, Greiner Extrusion, RÜBIG Plant Engineering and WFL Millturn Technologies presented cutting-edge technologies and discussed their application in Vietnam’s manufacturing industries.
One example presented was FerRobotics’ patented Active Compliant Technology, which optimises sensitivity and flexibility of industrial robots used in automotive, metalwork, shipbuilding and furniture production and many other industries.
Thomas Konrad, Vice President APAC of FerRobotics, said: “We see Vietnam as a top potential market, in part because of our two nations’ growing bilateral ties under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
“But more than that, the country’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and established reputation as a regional manufacturing hub are hinting at a fundamental shift to Manufacturing 4.0 which we want to be a part of.”
Guest speaker Nguyen Anh Duong, Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said that while Vietnamese manufacturing companies were eager to take on more value-added roles in the global supply chain, many were not ready yet due to a lack of transformation management, digital or technological capabilities.
“It’s important to identify gaps in their current capabilities and find the right people and tools to fill those gaps. Firms often cannot do that on their own and that’s why international business networks, consultancy and knowledge sharing are so important,” Duong said.
The webinar was supported by the Austria-Vietnam Innovation Council, whose Advisory Board comprises entrepreneurs and experts from Vietnam’s and Austria’s innovation ecosystems including RMIT CODE, 500 Startups, Vietnam Angel Network, TE-FOOD and Son Kim Retail.
