Nammo Raufoss part of Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE)
Six industrial areas announced as Norwegian Centre of Expertise
The Minister of Trade and Industry together with the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development announced on April the 27 2006 that six Industrial areas in Norway have been selected and stated as Norwegian Centre of Expertise. These are NCE Maritime at the West Coast, NCE Microsystems in the Region of Vestfold, NCE Systems Engineering at Kongsberg, NCE Underwatertechnology in the region of Hordaland, Instrumental hub in the region of Trøndelag and finally NCE at Raufoss.
NCE Raufoss will mainly focus on lightweight materials and automation of production as its main area of expertise in order to become a national competence centre within these two technological areas.
The new Centres of Expertise are ment to increase the effort to improve regional innovation throughout the whole country. NCE shall contribute to new commercial activities and development of new ideas and technologies.
The NCE programme has been developed by SIVA, (the Industrial Development Corporation in Norway), the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway. These are also the three organisations that made the selection of the six Centres of Expertise.
The selection was based on the following criterias:
- companies with international presence and great potential to improve further growth based on innovation
- increased cooperation
- internationalisation
- research and development
The Programme has 36 million NOK available in 2006. At least 10 NCE's are foreseen established by end of 2010. The Programme will propose technological and financial support to the NCE's for development processes over a 10 years period.
Congratulations to NCE Raufoss!
2006-05-04