Representatives from Kurzeme municipalities and the Kurzeme Planning Region, within the framework of the project “Business Support Measures in the Kurzeme Planning Region” undertook an experience exchange Visit to Norway from October 24th to 27th with the objective of acquainting themselves with the business environment in Haugesund and its surroundings.
The experience exchange journey commenced with a visit to SEAM, the foremost provider of zero-emission propulsion and automated solutions, holding a substantial 35% market share in Norway. The company’s overarching objective is to serve as the vanguard of future maritime technologies, offering the most effective transition towards environmentally sustainable operations. Presently, 69 vessels have been equipped with solutions provided by the company, encompassing the world’s inaugural fully electric and emission-free catamaran. The company proudly employs a workforce of 150 dedicated professionals. SEAM attributes its enduring success to its proficiency in engaging individuals in the development of products and solutions, fostering a sense of ownership and pride. For more detailed information about the company and its offerings, please refer to: https://www.seam.no/
Continuing, we acquainted ourselves with the Autostore Academy and its Innovation Laboratory, where we gained further insights into the company’s operations and its various offered solutions for logistics and entrepreneurship. This encompassed robots and their control systems, which can be tailored to meet client needs and work intensity. The company is experiencing rapid growth, boasting a workforce of over 900 employees and representations in 12 countries, serving numerous globally renowned corporations. For more detailed information about the company and its offerings, please refer to: : https://www.autostoresystem.com/
We also visited the Nordvegen History Center, where we became acquainted with Avaldsnes – the oldest known inhabited site in Norway – and explored the country’s history through the centuries. For more information about the museum, its collection, and exhibitions, please visit: https://avaldsnes.info/en/historiesenter/
We also paid a visit to our project’s collaborating partner – Vardafjell Upper Secondary School, where we met with students and familiarized ourselves with the school’s activities. The students had the opportunity to learn more about the Kurzeme Planning Region, its operational sectors, and through an interactive game, to become acquainted with Liepāja, where they will soon embark on an experience exchange visit. For more information about the school, please visit: https://www.vardafjell.vgs.no/
The experience exchange continued with a visit to Garnius.no, which is currently the largest online store in Norway specializing in knitting and crocheting supplies. The company employs designers who create various knitting patterns for sweaters, jackets, socks, and other knitted items. Customers have the option to choose their desired pattern and receive the necessary yarn and instructions for knitting. The company was founded in 2015 and currently employs 90 staff members. Packaging of products is not automated; it is carried out by people, with approximately 2000 shipments prepared daily. For more information about the company and its offerings, please visit: https://www.garnius.no/
Continuing, we visited Runwell – a company that has developed a digital workplace application tailored for the hospitality industry. It assists businesses in streamlining their operations and simplifying compliance with health and safety requirements in the workplace. The application is designed to be usable and beneficial for companies in other sectors as well. Runwell’s development utilized a public funding model, later attracting investors. Currently, Runwell operates with a team of ten individuals in Norway and Poland. The application is employed in approximately 300 hospitality service locations throughout Norway. For more information about Runwell, please visit: https://en.runwell.app/
At the conclusion of the visit, we visited the Municipality of Sveio. Representatives from this small municipality provided insights into its operations in crucial areas such as healthcare, youth services, business support, tourism, infrastructure, development planning, and other significant domains, along with the associated challenges. For more information about the Municipality of Sveio, please visit: https://www.sveio.kommune.no/
Thanks to the warm reception, specialists from the Kurzeme Planning Region and municipalities had the opportunity to witness how even small ideas, the search for solutions, and the pursuit of new approaches contribute to the growth and development of new businesses in the regions. As emphasized by several representatives of the visited companies, it is crucial to seek ways to implement one’s idea, without fearing the possibility of making mistakes, and to encourage both employees and oneself to learn from these errors. It is also essential to engage local residents and employees in the development and creation of the company’s products and ideas as much as possible. This approach allows for a broader perspective and a variety of solutions for different situations. Moreover, a jointly created product or service will be perceived as “ours”, meaning that employees will be more willing to invest additional resources in both the development of the product or service and its market promotion.
The experience exchange event took place within the framework of the Kurzeme Planning Region project No. LV-LOCALDEV-0004 “Entrepreneurship support measures in the Kurzeme Planning Region” (“Entrepreneurship in Kurzeme”). The project is co-financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through EEA grants in the Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation program.
More information:
Viktorija Reine
Kurzeme Planning Region project coordinator
E-mail: viktorija.reine@kurzemesregions.lv
