Industry > Triangular Strength

Triangular strength in automotive

How the Dutch automotive industry profits from the interplay between the Automotive Technology Centre (ATC), the High Tech Automotive Systems program (HTAS) and the High Tech Automotive Campus in Helmond.

The Dutch automotive industry has gained, especially in the last five years, recognition and acceleration. Recognition for the fact that it - both international and national – has taken an important position in the field of innovation, exports and employment. Acceleration by building an excellent network under the umbrella of the Holland Automotive Federation (FHA) with many initiatives and activities aimed at strengthening and growth of the sector.

As a result of these strong networks, three main initiatives were developed:

The Automotive Technology Centre (ATC)
Founded in 2003, the Automotive Technology Centre (ATC) is a cluster organization that stimulates technological innovation and cooperation. Its mission is to strengthen the international technology and business position of the Dutch automotive sector and grow and preserve this important industry and its spin-offs within the Netherlands.

ATC brings automotive professionals together to inform each other about the latest automotive trends and technologies. Knowledge transfer and exchange is enabled through network events and active participation in technology workshops. ATC is the central organization that combines individual company strengths to realize new business opportunities.

ATC Partners 12-2009	ATC Participants 12-2009

The HTAS (High Tech Automotive Systems) program
The HTAS programme was set up by the Dutch automotive industry as an open Innovation Programme in which industrial partners, knowledge institutes, both national and international, and government can participate.

The content of the HTAS programme plays an important role as an innovation booster in the Netherlands and the Brainport region. The aim is to develop knowledge relevant to the automotive industry that will lead to innovative products, processes and services that will significantly boost turnover, exports and employment. The Dutch automotive industry has chosen ‘Driving Guidance’ and ‘Vehicle Efficiency’ as prime focal areas for growth and innovation. HTAS also has an ‘Enablers’ programme on education, knowledge transfer and business development to support innovation.

HTAS is open to innovation initiatives from both large companies and SMEs as well as from national and international participants. Being industry driven, the open programme will develop over time as new innovation proposals emerge. Partners are linked to international consortia of OEMs and suppliers and will actively involve international organisations when needed for the best specialised knowledge or to complete the value chain.

HTAS Innovation program	HTAS Electric Vehicle Technology program

T

Automotive House

AFB Center

he High Tech Automotive Campus

The High Tech Automotive Campus in the Brainport region is the physical hot spot of the Dutch automotive sector where automotive knowledge and business come together.
In a spirit of cooperation, open innovation, knowledge and resource sharing, the High Tech Automotive Campus provides a home for international automotive companies and automotive education institutes. As well as public and private research centers, laboratories and test facilities. In this challenging and inspiring environment, automotive innovations will originate, be fully developed and subsequently find their way to market.
To ensure a leading position, the High Tech Automotive Campus invests in world-class facilities such as the AFB-center and the Automotive House.

HTACampus residents include: Actia, APTS (VDL), ATC, Brainport, Duvedec, ECMD, Federatie Holland Automotive, FIER Automotive, Fontys Hogescholen, High Tech Automotive Systems (HTAS) program management, KesselsGranger, NCAD, NoNox, PDE Automotive, TNO Automotive, TÜV Rheinland TNO Automotive International (TTAI), ROC Ter AA, 4automotive.allanta.

Interplay provides triangular strength in automotive

The combination of the ATC as a strong cluster organization, the joint (public-private) innovation program HTAS and the HTACampus as a location to strengthen the Dutch automotive industry and to stimulate co-operation, innovation, education and (international) business development, provides a strong triangular base for the further development of the Dutch automotive industry and to be able to compete on an international scale.

Triangular strength between ATC-HTAS-HTACampus