Success stories within Competencies

Värmland has extensive and wide-ranging expertise in refining forest raw materials. Biobased materials are vital in achieving climate goals, but there are also challenges that can slow down development.
Holmen is currently exploring the potential of demand-driven, local 3D manufacturing of critical spare parts and components. "We believe in this concept. Not having to transport spare parts across half the globe is not only good for the environment but also creates local jobs," says Rune Jonsson, purchaser at Holmen.
To secure North-Middle Sweden’s competitiveness for the future, business promoters in Värmland, Dalarna and Gävleborg have organised training courses in service-driven business development. In simple terms, it is about increasing companies’ profitability by developing value-adding offers with the customer’s needs in focus. “This training opened up the mind to how you can work with services,” says Lina Bylund, who completed the training.
The industry in Dalarna, Värmland and Gävleborg have similar challenges and opportunities when it comes to securing the industry’s needs for skills and manpower. Collaboration can help to create an attractive industrial region, and several initiatives are underway in North-Middle Sweden to move forward. “It is important to meet the existing need for competence,” says Christer Rosén, who is involved in a new adult training programme to train sawmill operators.