Interview with Mercè Girbau, INDPULS President
Before closing the year, let’s talk with Mercè Girbau, President of INDPULS and President and CEO of Girbau Group, about how she sees the industrial innovation ecosystem in Catalonia and take stock of the evolution of INDPULS during these first two years of operation.
Where is the industrial sector in Catalonia today in terms of innovation?
The industrial sector is crucial for the country’s economy as it generates quality employment and contributes to developing surrounding services. To grow and remain competitive, the industry must innovate, and through innovation, it enriches at all levels.
Currently, we face significant challenges such as digital transformation and sustainability.
Regarding digital transformation, industrial companies need to advance in our factories’ automation and digitization, improve processes’ efficiency, and enhance simulation and prediction capabilities. We need to explore new Industry 4.0 technologies that allow us to move in this direction, including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Industrial IoT (Internet of Things), and Digital Twin.
As for sustainability, we have a great responsibility and significant challenges, ranging from reducing carbon footprint and advancing towards Net Zero to exploring and implementing new circularity solutions or reducing water and energy consumption.
To face these challenges, collaboration is essential. By collaborating, we will go further and address challenges that, on our own, we would never consider.
How would you describe the ecosystem that has been created with INDPULS?
At INDPULS, we have created a collaborative environment built on trust, where we share strategic projects generously and transparently. For me, this is one of the significant distinctive values of the Association. We are 15 industrial companies from different sectors and sizes. We meet regularly to discuss innovation in various fields, share knowledge and experiences, and visit innovative companies, hubs, or technological centers. Through these gatherings, we get to know each other and identify collaboration opportunities among ourselves or other entities.
Initially, we focused INDPULS’ activity on those responsible for innovation, and there is increasing involvement in various areas within companies. In this way, the culture of innovation and collaboration is spreading to all areas of our organizations.
“Collaboration is essential. By collaborating, we will go further and face challenges that, on our own, we would never consider.” – Mercè Girbau, President of INDPULS
What would you highlight about the activity of INDPULS this year 2023?
This 2023 has been the first full year and the year of consolidation for INDPULS. We defined a series of common challenges to work on throughout the year, and we are delighted with the results obtained.
As the main transversal challenge, we chose to improve simulation and prediction capabilities to enhance internal processes and develop new products or services of added value for our clients. We have undertaken various activities and programs related to this challenge. Among them, I would highlight the technological radar or the Startup Support Program, which has created collaboration opportunities among companies associated with INDPULS and startups.
In second place, we decided to advance together in the decarbonization challenge that concerns us all. Thanks to this, we have identified an opportunity to develop a project together. We are working on the business plan and hope to see it come to fruition shortly.
Thirdly, industrial companies are very aware of our challenges in attracting talent to our organizations. We believe that INDPULS can also be a platform that fosters talent and a culture of innovation, and we have started working in this direction.
The average participation rate in INDPULS activities is 74% of the associates, with a rating of 4.6 out of 5. I believe we can be delighted with the results and aim to improve them for 2024.
How should the work of INDPULS evolve?
As an Association, in the future, we aim to incorporate new innovative companies from the industrial ecosystem in new strategic sectors that share the values of INDPULS and bring new knowledge and experiences to the group. Our goal is to have approximately twenty companies.
The task of INDPULS should translate into measurable impact and results for both the companies involved and the ecosystem. We want to be a lever for impactful innovation, contributing to companies’ sustainable growth and competitiveness. We are transparent about this, so from the beginning, we defined metrics to help us measure if we are approaching this goal.
As for the activity of INDPULS, it must evolve to the concerns of our associates. We recently shared the innovation challenges of each member company for the next two years. This allowed us to choose the new transversal challenges we want to focus on during 2024. Our goal is to concentrate mainly on product traceability and material circularity.
“In the future, we aim to incorporate new innovative companies from the industrial ecosystem, in new strategic sectors, that share the values of INDPULS and bring new knowledge and experiences to the group.” – Mercè Girbau.
A wish for 2024?
My wish for 2024 is to increase collaboration among INDPULS companies and other actors in the industrial innovation ecosystem to enhance industry competitiveness and positively impact society.
I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the individuals who are part of INDPULS. Their open and transparent attitude has created an atmosphere of trust that fosters innovation and collaboration. Through their participation and contributions, they have made it possible for this project to consolidate and gain more significance over time.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Collaborative New Year to the INDPULS family!
