It is the preferred location for companies and knowledge institutes that have a worldwide impact. Here, they can easily connect through the open community: sharing knowledge and collaborating to stimulate innovation. Thanks to the available high-tech test labs and research (test) facilities – from virtual reality to real-life testing on the A270 motorway – innovative ideas can be turned into smart and green mobility solutions in a fast and cost-efficient manner.
Innovation through collaboration
For organizations, the decision to locate at Automotive Campus goes far beyond just a land position or empty premises, adding value to an ecosystem. The businesses and knowledge institutes at the Automotive Campus all have the same goal in mind: developing smart and green mobility technologies and applications and being able to successfully implement these in the market. Automotive Campus not only offers them the facilities they need, but also provides a place to connect with like-minded businesses and people. The added value is proven every day. Innovations seen on and around the roads these days were developed here. In many cases, these products are the result of several companies and knowledge institutes working together. The added value of an ecosystem: an important consideration is the preconditions that a campus offers.
These days, the campus is now home to over 1500 people, including around 600 students, who are working on the mobility solutions of the future. When it comes to education, Automotive Campus is unique. No other campus in the Netherlands has both global businesses and state-of-the-art test facilities as well as educational institutes on location. All educational levels are represented and add great value to the ecosystem and its residents. From the MBO Automotive Centre and ACE Mobility (Automotive Centre of Expertise) to the Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Summa vocational College, and automotive student teams from the Eindhoven University of Technology.
Hometown
The campus is also a home base for partner RAI Automotive Industry NL: contact with interesting parties is easily established as a result. RAI Automotive Industry NL, a cluster organization of the Dutch Automotive Industry, encourages effective cooperative relations between companies in the automotive sector and governments, international sector organisations, and companies in our high-tech region. All kinds of seminars, conferences, workshops, and network meetings are organized throughout the year in cooperation with them. For campus residents and members of RAI Automotive Industry NL, possibilities to meet and match, learn from each other, and share knowledge. And therefore, the intense collaboration with RAI Automotive Industry NL is so important for our campus residents.
Sascha Bloemhoff, Managing Director at Automotive Campus, underscores that relevance: “RAI Automotive Industry NL is the representative of the Dutch Automotive Industry and for that reason alone a very important partner. Their role in co-defining the innovation programmes for the automotive industry in the Netherlands ánd beyond is crucial to us as an innovation-focused campus. They set the direction, the future, and we connect with them. Jointly organising content-focused meetings, sessions for sharing knowledge, and being able to attend their international programs and exhibition is so valuable for campus residents”.
Pieter Rahusen, Business Development Manager at Automotive Campus, provides a fitting example: “SEKISUI, a Japanese global player, is going through frenzied growth here to enter and serve the European market. Starting from the soft-landing flex concept, it has grown into its own office and is now located here with their SEKISUI Design Studio. In the studio, they develop innovative concepts for the European automotive market, as well as the growing integration of mobility into connected smart life.
Their future goal is to develop or expand a full-scale design center on our campus, and we will provide the space and support them as much as we can. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of RAI Automotive Industry NL, together with our campus organisation, SEKISUI is making good progress in its positioning in Europe. Connecting national and international networks, such as the BOM, Brainport, and the NFIA, also plays a helpful role in this successful cooperation. And all this is making this Japanese organisation an excellent ambassador for óur international network. Their presence has helped us attract more Asian companies to our campus. A wonderful textbook example of how a campus should work; give and take to help each other move forward".
Your event at Automotive Campus
Its position in the heart of the Brainport region makes the campus the perfect location for your event. We offer a variety of halls, exposition spaces, conference rooms, and an auditorium, all outfitted with audio-visual equipment and other facilities that you may need for your event or presentation.
Offering a complete concept: integrate relevant, cutting-edge developments from the automotive industry, bring you in contact with the right people who would be great additions to your programming, and help you organize when needed. And of course, if needed, our close relations to various supporting businesses, such as event planners, caterers, audiovisual technicians, and stage and/or tent builders, will contribute to the best result. That is the power of the campus as an event location.
Did you know that, as a member of RAI Automotive Industry NL, you can use our meeting rooms free of charge? Click here for more information.
This article was previously published in the RAI Automotive Industry Magazine about the Dutch automotive industry. Want to read more?
