Transformation does not happen by chance – it must be shaped. This idea was the theme of the Federation of Industries Styria New Year event, which was attended by over 250 guests in Graz. Thomas Scherngell, Head of Competence Unit Innovation & Industrial Dynamics at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, provided a key insight into the topic.
In his keynote speech, he emphasised that industrial change is not only a challenge and a risk for regions such as Styria, but above all an opportunity for strategic renewal.
Through innovation, existing industrial strengths can be further developed in a targeted manner and transferred to future-oriented fields of technology – from electromobility and software-driven systems to digital production.
Smart specialisation and related diversification help to build on existing strengths and transfer knowledge to related areas. Coordinated interaction between regional players is crucial to ensure that industrial transformation leads to progress. Examples from Europe demonstrate the potential of these strategies for Styria as well.
The New Year's event was complemented by economic policy comments from Franz Schellhorn (Agenda Austria) and a discussion with IV Styria President Kurt Maier, moderated by Claudia Reiterer, which examined the key issues for the future of Styria from different perspectives.