Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation, together with LINAK, is going to finance an extension to Alsion in Sønderborg. The new building will house laboratories and testing facilities for a Center for Industrial Electronics (CIE) – an educational and research initiative, designed to ensure more state-of-the-art research facilities, and more degrees in engineering in Sønderborg
Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation is pleased to contribute to new facilities for educating engineers of high quality, that will strengthen the business community throughout the region. CIE is a strong example of a project that both strengthens Danfoss' development potential and creates new opportunities in the local area.
Peter Mads Clausen, Chairman of Bitten & Mads Clausen's Foundation
CIE derives from a unique collaboration between public and private companies in the Region of Southern Denmark, consisting of The University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Danfoss A/S, Linak A/S, The Region of Southern Denmark and the Municipality of Sønderborg. Each of these partners invests 35 million DKK (a total of DKK 175 million) in the establishment of CIE. The new centre will include research, innovation and test facilities at an international top level, and at the same time provide a basis for completely new engineering courses in the field of electronics.
Lack of Graduates
CIE is being created to meet the shortage of skilled labour, which is being experienced by companies in the area. In the Sønderborg area it will be necessary to employ just over 1,400 graduates by 2020. It is estimated that with the current development, only 600 new employees will realistically be available. Thus, there will be a lack of 800 graduates, especially engineers within electronics, mechatronics and IT.
The Sønderborg region has strong companies within the area of energy efficient technologies. The yearly export of these technologies amount to 34 billion DKK. The industry is thus a very renowned example of Danish business, and the growth potential is big: 80% of the companies expect to increase their revenues in the coming years, and 58% expect more employees.
Among Denmark's largest exporters
Danfoss and LINAK are two of the country's largest exporters in the field of energy technologies. Through CIE the two companies - together with other local players - will get direct access to the talent and new knowledge that will grow at the Centre.
Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation is investing in the building for CIE. This is to be carried out as a new additional building to Alsion. The initial work on designing the building has begun, and CIE is expected to move into their new facilities during the first half of 2019.
To read more about the CIE, follow the link below
