Gateway to capacity, machinery, expertise, testing, and knowledge.

The Drechtsteden-Gorinchem region is known for its close-knit cluster of manufacturing industries, with a high density of SMEs and a relatively tight ecosystem, primarily focused on the maritime and offshore sector. Today, Smart Delta Drechtsteden, Duurzaamheidsfabriek, InnovationQuarter, and the Shared Assets consortium are joining forces on the digital platform Tech2B. It serves as a place where manufacturing companies, start-ups, and scale-ups from the region can exchange their assets. With over 4000 companies already connected, being a part of this platform becomes your gateway to accessing capacity, machinery, equipment, tooling, testing facilities, and knowledge.

Shared Assets Platform

Het Shared Assets Platform van Tech2B biedt MKB-ers in de maakindustrie flexibele, laagdrempelige en kosteneffectieve toegang tot het gebruik van (complexe) productieprocessen. Maakbedrijven en productiefaciliteiten kunnen op deze manier omzet genereren door flexibele capaciteit op hun assets aan te bieden via het platform of door het platform als portaal te gebruiken voor vraag en aanbod. De applicatie onderscheidt zich door onder andere inzicht te bieden in de capaciteit van organisaties op asset niveau en door assets gemakkelijk beschikbaar te stellen voor meerdere (lokale) bedrijven. Deze bedrijven kunnen vervolgens zelf dicht op het proces zitten om (investerings)afwegingen te kunnen maken. 

Tech2B is een snelgroeiend bedrijf dat een platform heeft ontwikkeld voor het koppelen van vraag en aanbod in de maakindustrie. Het heeft inmiddels meer dan 5000 actieve gebruikers (maakbedrijven) in Nederland en groeit nu ook internationaal. Via het platform zijn momenteel meer dan 420.000 maakbedrijven te vinden in heel Europa op basis van specifieke processen, competenties, sector en locatie.Shared Assets Platform

The Shared Assets Platform of Tech2B provides flexible, accessible, and cost-effective access to (complex) manufacturing processes for SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing companies and production facilities can generate revenue by offering flexible capacity on their assets through the platform or by using the platform as a portal for demand and supply. The application distinguishes itself by providing insights into the capacity of organizations at the asset level and by easily making assets available to multiple (local) companies. These companies can then be closely involved in the process to make informed decisions, including investment considerations.

Tech2B is a rapidly growing company that has developed a platform for connecting demand and supply in the manufacturing industry. It now has over 5000 active users (manufacturing companies) in the Netherlands and is expanding internationally. Through the platform, more than 420,000 manufacturing companies can currently be found throughout Europe based on specific processes, competencies, sectors, and locations.

Stronger Regional Manufacturing Industry through Economic Impact

The consortium has a dual vision for creating economic impact in the Drechtsteden-Gorinchem region. Firstly, manufacturing companies, start-ups, and scale-ups from the region can cost-effectively utilize innovative technology to improve their products and/or processes. They can share assets (machines, equipment, tooling, testing facilities, knowledge, etc.) with each other through the platform. Both manufacturing companies and service providers such as engineering firms can connect demand and supply, thus fostering innovation and collaboration. Making asset availability visible can have significant added value for the regional manufacturing industry, as it can enhance flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and process innovation.

Secondly, the consortium aims to contribute to the further development of the Smart Campus Leerpark in Dordrecht through this project. The Municipality of Dordrecht and the Da Vinci College have ambitious plans for the Smart Campus Leerpark, including Smart Industry initiatives and support for the regional manufacturing industry. With the establishment of the "Maakfabriek" (Manufacturing Factory), providing 1000 to 1500 square meters of space primarily for scale-ups in the manufacturing industry, supporting such companies becomes a crucial success factor for acquisition and retention in the region.

Support for the Regional Manufacturing Industry

The goal of the Shared Assets Platform is to support SMEs, startups, and scale-ups in the regional manufacturing industry. This is achieved by offering low-threshold and flexible access to innovative, complex, and/or automated manufacturing processes. The platform also provides asset owners with a flexible layer to increase their revenue and mitigate investment risks. Additionally, research is being conducted to identify areas where companies require support in terms of process knowledge and talent development. Local and regional manufacturing companies are more concretely connected to services and facilities offered by partners at the Smart Campus Leerpark through the TechHub segment on the Tech2B platform.

A Comprehensive View of the Region's Offerings

Jan Terlingen, CEO of Digitalzh, says, "With this initiative, we are helping even more manufacturing companies in the region, serving as a connector and a source of information. We recognize that many companies face significant challenges, and having a central place can help them take important steps in digitalization and meeting new partners. Visibility is crucial in this regard. Together with Tech2B, Digitalzh provides manufacturing companies with a direct link to the key field labs in South Holland, strengthening our position as partners in digitalization and automation."

By offering companies services and co-financing opportunities that support their digitalization efforts, Digitalzh consistently bridges the gap between demand and supply in the manufacturing industry. The TechHub will enhance these connections and make companies more discoverable. Sjors Hooijen, CEO of Tech2B, states, "Our platform is intuitive and operates based on smart algorithms. By creating a profile, you are automatically connected to the Digitalzh TechHub and can see at a glance what the region has to offer."

Project partners: Smart Delta Drechtsteden, Duurzaamheidsfabriek, Haagse Hogeschool, Machinefabriek De Waal, Faes Cases BV, MDIM, Innovatie Roadmap Smart Manufacturing and Tech2B