Greater diversity is needed to cope with the skill shortage

– The maintenance sector needs to attract more girls and people with diverse backgrounds to achieve an adequate long-term skills supply.

That’s the view of Magnus Thulin of Ahlsell Sweden, which is making a big investment at the Maintenance Fair (Underhållsmässan) 2020. Among other things, as a partner in the Smart Factories project, which will broaden interest in working in the industry.

The Maintenance Fair, which takes place on 10-13 March 2020 at the Swedish Exhibiton & Congress Centre in Gothenburg, is placing great emphasis on the skills supply.  The goal is to increase the dynamics of the relationship between education and business. Among other things, there will be open seminars to demonstrate companies’ needs with the aim of increasing the recruitment base for industry.

An important part of the initiative is the collaboration with the Gothenburg Technical College, (GTC) around the Smart Factories project, which is now being developed further.

– We will show some examples of new technologies and smart maintenance at the fair, says Johan Bengtsson, the project manager for Smart Factories.

Two newly developed mini factories will be exhibited at the fair. First, a collaborative application with a robot that manufactures a product, and second, a process plant where visitors can regulate the water level.

– Students will be on hand to show how it works. We will also have on-stage activities, including a focus on getting girls interested in new technology and the many career opportunities in industry, Johan says.

– We want to make an impact on industry norms, showing that everyone can become what they want. Our vision is an inclusive factory, where neither gender nor ethnicity are of any importance, where everyone should be able to work and feel welcome.

Ahlsell, one of the largest exhibitors at the Maintenance Fair, is taking part in the Smart Factories project by contributing various components and tools.

– We support increased collaboration between schools and business, says Magnus Thulin, Sales Manager Industry Region West at Ahlsell Sweden.

– For our company, it is extremely important to attract future employees. The collaboration with GTC and Smart Factories is part of this effort.

As a technical wholesaler, Ahlsell supplies a variety of materials to the manufacturing industry: components for robots and production lines, lighting, lubricants, tools, protective clothing, etc.

High demands are placed on the company’s competence in sales and training.

– We also have a consultancy function: technological development is now so fast that some of our customers are not able to keep up with the changes. We are then able to guide them in the choice of material, says Magnus.

Although employee competence comes first, regardless of gender and background, he sees clear advantages in getting more girls into the business.

– Historically, our industry has been male-dominated. But we are actively working on these issues and the gender balance looks much better these days.

– We want to be a modern company with both men and women, young and old, and culturally more broadly diverse.

Ahlsell has close contacts with foreign companies and Magus Thulin emphasises that, from a purely commercial point of view, there are clear advantages in having employees who speak different languages and have insights into cultural differences.

– It’s about our customers, our relationships. So that could be crucial.

– We have three values in the company: responsibility, openness and simplicity. This means, among other things, that we, as market leaders, must take the lead in driving change.

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre is holding the Maintenance Fair from 10 to 13 March 2020. Read more about exhibitors, programmes and activities at en.underhall.se