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Engineering within industrial and technology sectors has been revolutionised during the past few decades: new technologies, globalisation and sustainability matters have affected ways of working and design principles either directly or indirectly. How are engineering companies preparing for changes and making sure that supply will continue to meet demand?
Operating in five countries, Comatec Group that has its origins in Tampere, Finland, puts its faith in research. During its almost four decades of operation, Comatec has carried out a number of industry studies, resulting in launched services, new tools, staff training and paving the way for international operations.
– I think it is important for businesses to keep track of changes in their operating environment through research. It’s equally important what is done with the results – are they only for the information of the management team or put into action? The key persons of an engineering company are those using a CAD terminal, and it would be a shame if they and the measures aimed at business development did not meet, says Matti Sommarberg, member of Comatec’s board.
Sommarberg has extensive experience in working for companies in the technology industry, such as Cargotec Corporation. Currently, he is working as Professor of Practice at the Faculty of Management and Business of Tampere University.
Research as a tool of business development
Sommarberg’s specific role in Comatec’s board is monitoring the company’s operating environment, in addition to which he is coordinating the industry survey in progress. The purpose of the survey is to find out what the future looks like in the engineering and technology sector and how Comatec should prepare for any changes.
– My thinking is that the better you understand the world around you, the more likely you are to make wise decisions in any given situation. Working in the board involves looking at changes in the environment from the viewpoint of Comatec’s strategy, but more importantly, thinking about how various phenomena affect the daily lives of our engineers or customer companies, says Sommarberg.
Unnecessary fear of AI
For businesses, technological development is not only the greatest challenge but also an opportunity. How to keep up with the latest developments – or even spearhead them? How to ensure that the staff has the right kind of competence? These are issues that are being discussed at Comatec, too.
Sommarberg highlights one technology: AI. It is not exactly new, but development in, for example, the amount of data, data transfer speed and applications based on the technology make AI significant right now.
– I think AI involves plenty of misconceptions. It does not replace humans, and using AI does not make you capable of doing everything. I think traditional engineering requirements will actually become more important, as customer needs, new manufacturing technologies, materials and design tools call for more in-depth competence and a better understanding of the interdependencies of various components. A skilled engineer will obviously be able to utilise AI to their benefit, as long as the risks involved are identified and managed, says Sommarberg.
Staff is the company’s key asset
Sommarberg considers it important that companies identify social values and their effect on working life.
– Currently, the big thing is finding a balance between remote and in-office work. Instead of coming up with rules, I would encourage companies to consider how the staff can provide the customers with added value in an optimally efficient and appropriate way. What works for one employee may have a completely opposite effect on another, and that’s why hard-and-fast rules may not always be the best way to go, says Sommarberg.
Comatec believes that a motivated and competent staff forms the core of the company’s operations, and that’s why the company keeps investing in staff training and the creation of an encouraging atmosphere. The company’s most important product is added value to customers. And it’s on the engineer’s desk where that is created.
– In accordance with my role in the board, I try to increase our employees’ understanding of the changes in our customers’ operating environment in terms of, for example, geopolitics, technology, business models and sustainability. I hope we have managed to create a culture where such changes are met with curiosity and where everyone has the courage to view the big picture and create the best possible practices for their work and – in particular – customer needs, concludes Sommarberg.
Iina Korpiaho, a Comatec trainee in mechanical design, made a career change and began studying mechanical engineering. She takes a keen interest in the industry and changes in it.
– I became interested in engineering, because it is so varied; you cannot learn everything overnight, and as the tools and software develop, there’s always something new to learn. I’ve already noticed that this work can offer so much, because you can develop yourself professionally in so many ways, and new projects frequently present new challenges.
The article was published in Tekniikka & Talous 20.9.2024.