TOPUP: Testbed for transparent functions

Purpose and goal

The test bed is quite old but the market has changed and the goal for the project was to strengthen the test bed by adapting to new customer, increase the number of collaborating partner, strengthen the international competitiveness and spread knowledge. The produced offers and the identified customers as well as the made contacts have increased the knowledge of what is interesting for the float glass area. It has also increased the awareness that the test bed is active within the area and has competence relevant for the industry.

Expected results and effects

The project has improved the test bed through increased industrial awareness and improved market knowledge but also the number of collaborating partners has increase as a result of the taken contacts. A plan for internationalization has been established with Scandinavia as the main market. Denmark will be the first step. The project expects to result in an improved usage of the test bed. Already during the project there are new users and new collaboration partners has been established. The possibilities for the test bed to reached small and middle sized enterprises have increased.

Planned approach and implementation

New offers have been produced and potential customers identified for these offers. Sweden has been the main target but Scandinavia is the number one expansion possibility. The project has used internal workshops and business model canvas when formulating the offers and found that this gives the work a good structure. Customer contacts has by telephone calls, visit at the customer sites and by meeting customers have been important to increase both the knowledge in the industry and within the test bed. It is important to know the industrial needs and adapt the test bed to these.