The future of manufacturing in Europe starts now!

Paris, France, 07 November 2019 – Today the new EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community EIT Manufacturing was officially inaugurated at its Headquarters in Paris Saclay. The EU’s manufacturing sector employs close to 30 million people in 2.1 million enterprises and accounts for almost 20% of the total GDP. The sector is under considerable strain with rapid technological advancements and the need for a more circular economy. To tackle this, EIT Manufacturing will provide excellent manufacturing skills and talents, work towards the full digitalisation of manufacturing and foster sustainable manufacturing. EIT Manufacturing, is Europe’s largest manufacturing innovation network and is developing new opportunities for innovators. By 2030, it is set to empower over 1,000 ventures across Europe and create new job opportunities.

The inauguration brought together leadings innovators and organisation from the added value manufacturing sector in Europe including Siemens, Whirlpool, Volvo, Festo and Magna. High-level speakers included Agnès Paillard (Member of the EIT Governing Board), Gintaras Vilda (Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania), Isabelle Perdereau (Regional Minister and President of the Commission for Economic Development and Innovation of the Paris Region) and Heinrich Flegel (Chairman of EIT Manufacturing Supervisory Board).