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Norican enters its next phase of growth as Thomas Körmendi is named CEO 17/06/2026

THOMAS KÖRMENDI has officially taken over as CEO of Norican, the Denmark-headquartered global industrial equipment group, having served as chairman of the board since January 2025.

Körmendi succeeds Anders Wilhjelm, who has led the business since 2019. Norican is home to five technology brands* that underpin key industrial processes across moulding, melting, mixing and surface preparation, supporting manufacturers of metallic parts across industries including automotive, foundry, aerospace and metal fabrication. Through its IIoT brand Monitizer, Norican is accelerating the adoption of connected, data-driven production, bringing real-time monitoring, analytics and AI optimization opportunities to industrial processes that have historically been slower to digitise.

During Wilhjelm’s tenure, the business has undergone a deep transformation, building the foundations for a more agile, digitally connected engineering and manufacturing organisation, with innovation and sustainability at its core. Under Körmendi’s leadership, Norican will build on these foundations, with an ambition to expand across China, India, North America and Europe - both in established sectors and in new applications where metal production is evolving rapidly.

Körmendi joins Norican after eight years as CEO of Norway-based packaging giant Elopak, where he led the international growth expansion as well as publicly listing the company. He resigned from that role to relocate back to his native Denmark.

"Metal is a material for the future: inherently recyclable, highly durable and essential to everything from electric vehicles to wind turbines. At Norican, we’re reimagining the industries that make things from metal, helping them become more sustainable, more efficient, and more connected," said Körmendi.

"In my first months, I’ll focus on deeply understanding the business and working closely with colleagues across our sites and brands. Together with our customers, we will accelerate innovation, expand in key markets, and strengthen long-term partnerships, so manufacturers can move faster, adapt with confidence, and build modern industrial workplaces that inspire a new generation. I’m proud to lead our global team into an ambitious next chapter."

Körmendi will be based at the Norican HQ in Taastrup near Copenhagen.

www.norican.com

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The world's first 5G 450 MHz smartphone for Zone 1/21 16/06/2026

I.SAFE MOBILE is presenting its latest development, the IS541.1, the first explosion-proof 5G smartphone with 450 MHz support for use in Zone 1/21

The IS541.1 will make its debut at Critical Communications World (CCW) in London from 16-18 June 2026 at Stand J20. The device combines critical communication with the highest operational reliability and is approved for mission-critical use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Critical infrastructure, energy suppliers, industry and public authorities face the same requirements: reliable, independent communication even when public mobile networks are overloaded or down. This is made possible by the dedicated 450 MHz network. With IS541.1 from i.safe MOBILE, this network is now available for use in Zone 1/21 environments.

450 MHz: Range and resilience for critical infrastructure

The 450 MHz band offers physical characteristics that set it apart from conventional mobile networks. Low frequencies ensure long range and optimal building penetration. The mobile network enables highly available, autonomous and blackout-resilient communication for mission-critical applications such as control, monitoring and crisis management in sectors like energy, water, transport and public administration. Around 40 commercial networks are in operation worldwide in the 450 MHz band.

IS541.1 supports the frequency bands of the 450 MHz band and, in addition, a broad global spectrum of all relevant bands for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks.

The 5G smartphone is built on the proven platform of the IS540.1. The replaceable 4,400 mAh battery enables continuous shift operation, as spare batteries can be charged at any time outside the ATEX zone and inserted into the device. The 6" FHD display with Corning Gorilla Glass withstands the toughest conditions. Accessories such as PTT headsets or remote speaker microphones can be connected quickly and securely via the 16-pin ISM interface connector. Programmable function keys, including an SOS button, provide direct access to PTT communication and lone worker protection (LWP).

IS541.1 is designed for a wide range of critical applications: from the energy sector through industry, mining and oil and gas to public safety and government agencies, as well as transport, retail and agriculture.

i.safe MOBILE is a member of the 450 MHz Alliance, the international advocacy group for the promotion and further development of networks in the 380–512 MHz band. The Alliance brings together network operators, public authorities, equipment manufacturers and users worldwide and is committed to standardisation, regulation and global market development.

In Germany, 450connect builds and operates the nationwide, dedicated 450 MHz mobile network for operators of critical infrastructure (KRITIS).

The IS541.1 is available now through the i.safe MOBILE sales network.

www.isafe-mobile.com

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Markem-Imaje launches CoLOS Version 7 15/06/2026

MARKEM-IMAJE has launched of CoLOS Software Version 7, expanding its software suite with new features designed for industrial organisations with multiple production facilities.

CoLOS Version 7 builds on the strengths of earlier releases with enhanced automation and compliance, reinforced security layers, and more intuitive operations that increase efficiency and reduce errors.

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Enginuity honoured with quadruple royal recognition 15/06/2026

ENGINUITY, THE former Sector Skills Council for engineering and manufacturing, has received a remarkable quadruple accolade from King Charles, marking the importance of the work it does.

CEO, Ann Watson and trustee of the Board, Alexia Williams, have been awarded MBEs in his majesty’s birthday honours, for services relating to skilling the engineering and manufacturing sector. Deputy chair, Ian Ritchey, has been awarded an OBE, while last week, it was announced that Enginuity’s chair, Jim McDonald, had been appointed to the Order of the Thistle.

Watson, an alumnus of Teesside University and whose late father was a welder at British Steel, grew up in South Bank on Teesside. She joined Enginuity Group in 1998 and was appointed as CEO in 2015.

"Our work to close the skills gap, support the engineering and manufacturing sector, and ensure that young people can access rewarding and engaging career opportunities has never been more important," she said. "This recognition is not only a great personal honour, but also a reflection of the vital contribution our sector makes to the UK’s economy and future prosperity. I hope this triple recognition brings renewed confidence and momentum to everyone working across the engineering and manufacturing sector."

Enginuity, funded by EAL, the specialist awarding organisation, end-point assessment organisation for the engineering and manufacturing sector, is about to unveil the first Vocational Celebration Day. Launching for the first time on 6 August 2026, the day will bring together learners, employers, colleges and training providers to celebrate vocational careers and the opportunities they create.

Among many other things, the charity has:

  • Established the Policy Centre for Supply Chain and SMEs: Powered by Enginuity, acting as the voice of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to government and policymakers.
  • Created the Enginuity Skills Awards, now entering their 12th year, celebrating excellence in engineering and manufacturing talent.
  • Funded scholarships at Teesside University to attract women in to engineering.
  • Formed the Enginuity Alliance, which plays a pivotal role in supporting and representing the crucial SME cohort.
  • Produces Steph on Skills: Powered by Enginuity – the skills-focused podcast presented by award-winning journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern.

www.enginuity.org

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New campaign launched to create more female role models in engineering and manufacturing 10/06/2026

"WE DON'T want to be seen as the exception, we want to be seen as the rule" is the clear message coming from women in engineering and manufacturing.

The rallying call is headlining In-Comm Training’s annual ‘I’m Included’ campaign, which launches today to shine a spotlight on the females behind engineering - showcasing their diverse roles, career paths and life experiences.

Backed by Enginuity and nine companies including Adams Enclosures, Assa Abloy, Filtermist, Industrial Physics, Jenks and Cattell, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) and Safran, the initiative will highlight stories that often go unseen, celebrate achievements across different stages of an engineer’s journey and demonstrate how inclusion drives innovation and can help bridge industry’s skills gap.

The campaign is now calling on other businesses, leaders, engineers, apprentices and stakeholders of the sector to share their own stories via social media, personal videos and by spreading the message at roundtables and events.

"Women represent approximately 16.9% of the workforce in core engineering and technology jobs compared with 56% across all other occupations," explained Bekki Phillips, COO at In-Comm Training. "This highlights ongoing underrepresentation, and we want to play our role in trying to change this.

"We brought together a focus group of ten female role models from the sector and asked them to share their stories, challenges and what they would say to inspire others. This has formed the core of our Inclusivity and Diversity Campaign for 2026, and we hope will provoke conversations in education and across the length and breadth of engineering and manufacturing."

"The overwhelming message is that we need to inspire others by proving that women in industry are the norm, highlighting all the hidden roles that are rarely seen and career journeys that are non-linear and heavily impacted by life phases, such as maternity and flexible working," she added.

"It’s not just about inspiring individuals, we also need to inspire key stakeholders, such as teachers and parents, so they know all about our amazing sector and can openly promote it."

A launch video, created by Eleven10Creative, has been released today to kickstart the campaign, exploring how inspiration doesn’t start in the workplace, it starts earlier on in lives.

The two-minute story starts with a young girl playing with a Formula One car and takes us through a journey of education, early-stage careers and different job roles inside industry, culminating in a standing ovation for a female MD, holding a F1 car that reflects the moment she became inspired as a child.

That leader is Clire Umney of Birmingham-based Alwayse Engineering, a specialist manufacturer of ball transfer units and manual handing solutions.

Following an extensive leadership career in warehousing, logistics and supply chain technologies, she has been in her current position since January 2024 and is a passionate advocate of driving productivity and bringing through more apprenticeships.

"This is such an important conversation to have and I’m extremely proud to be supporting the ‘I’m Included’ campaign, empowered by In-Comm Training," she stated.

"We all have a role to play to inspire more women to consider a career in industry, whether they are just starting out, looking to change roles or those that are returning to work.

"Our sector is an exciting place to work, and I believe is truly inclusive. We need to share more stories and that’s where I want everyone to promote their views and experiences - the more role models we create, the better."

The launch video will be supplemented by a series of personal videos from an apprentice machinist, an associate director, a project manager, a senior systems engineer and from graduates working their way up the career ladder.

"There are so many fantastic women in engineering and manufacturing and we need to celebrate this as the ‘status quo’ and the norm if we are going to get even more girls interested," said Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, who delivered a ‘day in the life’ video in her role as MD of Professional Polishing Services (PPS). 

"I feel it’s also important to bring men on our journey, encouraging them to be advocates and champions for what we are trying to achieve. Their voice and backing are important. My message to women is simple... 'engineering is built by people like you.'"

You can watch the launch video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufHRrUAs-9w

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Barometer reveals lack of faith in government skills approach amidst a significant drop in planned apprenticeship recruitment 03/06/2026

ENGINEERING AND manufacturing leaders have revealed the toughest skills picture yet in the latest annual Training Barometer released by In-Comm Training.

Nearly three quarters of businesses surveyed said they felt there was a lack of government support to address skills shortages following the budget last year, whilst only a third believe the Industrial Strategy is going to support their workforce development plans.

These concerns are reflected in an uncertain landscape, with less than half (46%) boosting training budgets and, worryingly, just 45% planning to take on an apprentice over the next twelve months. 

This is the first time in the history of these findings that this number has fallen under half and is a massive 24% drop on recruitment intentions seen in 2025.

Staff retention has also been an issue for the 103 companies who responded. 58% of bosses they are struggling to keep employees, and this could be due to a difficult cocktail of circumstances, including an ageing workforce, wage inflation and changes to employment law.

"Skills continue to be one of the pressing challenges for manufacturers and it appears the majority have lost faith in the government playing their part in helping them bridge the gap," said In-Comm Training MD Gareth Jones. "Changes to skills provision and the pace it is being delivered is damaging engagement due to a lack of industry understanding and a belief that they will not deliver the skill levels required. 

"It’s not difficult to see where the lack of confidence stems from. The removal of certain qualifications, defunding of some standards and reducing the level of competency involved in apprenticeships has left firms feeling the system is unwieldy and not fit for purpose.

"There has also been no increase in funding for engineering apprenticeships since 2020, whilst costs have risen astronomically in the same period. It begs the question, how are providers going to be able to maintain the same level of quality provision, whilst being squeezed from all angles?

"All of this is translating into less of an appetite to invest in apprentices. A 24% drop in the number of companies planning to take on a new apprentice is more than worrying and should send shockwaves through the corridors of Whitehall," he continued. "It feels that management teams are being battered at every possible turn with legislation, employment changes and then issues coming out of the conflict in Iran. There’s very little financial wriggle room to invest in the future."

The In-Comm Training Barometer is one of the UK’s leading reports on the current skills and training landscape, providing critical data on provision, apprenticeships and company sentiment.

Releasing staff from core activities (55%) continues to be the biggest factor holding firms back from upskilling and this is exacerbated with just under two fifths not considering modular training, once felt to be a preferred upskilling option for employers.

This could be down to the apprenticeship units in the Skills & Growth Levy being up to 16 weeks, which many firms feel is too long to lose valuable employees for.

Nearly a third of all companies questioned are looking to boost leadership and management training, yet the government’s recent decision to defund Level 3 and above apprenticeship pathways in this area may reduce this demand over time.

"Interestingly, 60% of respondents felt recent changes to the Skills and Growth Levy - particularly around modular, apprenticeship-aligned training - will add value to their organisations," Jones stated. "As a provider we are currently looking at the details of these courses, considering if we can deliver them and if they add value to companies based on the content, length, feasibility and funding levels available to us.

"In my opinion, I believe the government has chosen this route to try and deliver some quick impact, rather than attempting the hard yards of changing legislation to better enable non-apprenticeship aligned training."

Other key findings in the In-Comm Training Barometer, include:

  • More than a quarter (27%) of firms feel the new funding for under-25 apprenticeships will make them more likely to recruit an apprentice
  • 53% of respondents use apprenticeships to upskill their workforce
  • 68% of businesses have invested in new technologies to improve productivity
  • Just 17% of management teams are using AI to support workforce development, training or skills planning.

www.in-comm.co.uk

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New ecosystem offer boxes off record year for Lesters 02/06/2026

A STRING of new contracts for clients in automotive, 3pl and e-commerce has helped a large packaging specialist record the busiest twelve months in its 43-year history.

Lesters, which employs 60 people at its facility in Burntwood, has seen revenues increase by 25% as demand for its full ecosystem of services, including design, boxes, supply chain management and logistics, grows.

To cope with the rise in interest, the family-run business is now on the recruitment drive, looking to take on seven new people across production, forklift truck driving, customer service and transport.

"Our collaborative system takes into account not just the box, but everything around it to ensure that we’re delivering efficiency across the entire supply chain," explained Billy Hutchinson, MD of Lesters. "How is the box transported, where is it stored, what level of protection does it need and how is it getting there? They’re all questions we ask. A lot of new clients are switching from using lots of providers to just one, as we can offer everything under the same roof."

"We’ve achieved our best ever year and need more team members to help us take it on even further. There’s lots of opportunities in automotive that we’re discussing and we want to capitalise on these, not to mention supporting the expansion of our sister business Lesters Logistics," he continued. 

Lesters’ encouraging performance comes just a few weeks after it successfully retained its ‘AA’ BRCGS rating, which ensures safety, quality, and operational compliance across the entire supply chain. 

The standard, primarily aimed at the food industry focussing on food safety, quality and legality, highlights the robust systems the business has put in place to oversee quality control and hygiene, process management and full traceability. 

"There has been a lot of investment in technology, our people and key hires - together this has given us a platform to scale yet keep operational performance and compliance to the highest possible standards. Our ‘AA’ BRCGS rating is testimony to this." said Hutchinson.

"We’re also concentrating on becoming an integral part of UK plc’s supply chain network. A big focus for us will be on how we can help 3pl and e-commerce solutions providers maximise their supply chain efficiency and, to this extent, we’ve joined the UK Warehousing Association to start forging a deeper collaboration in this field.”

"Lesters Logistics has been a massive success story. We’ve transformed a struggling company into a full service 3pl provider, where we can offer stock and serve, pick and pack and straightforward transport solutions in one place," he added. "It’s a crucial link in the Lesters ecosystem, which also includes a ‘reuse’ offer that buys back used boxes and resells them to the market to generate revenue and boost the environment."

Lesters has ambitious plans to expand through organic growth and acquisition if the right business, with the right values, comes on the market. It is also currently looking for additional warehousing space in the West Midlands to support the activities of Lesters Logistics. 

www.lesterspackaging.co.uk

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Trademark helps partition manufacturers separate themselves from the competition 29/05/2026

TWO UK manufacturers of industrial and commercial partition walls and cubicles are seizing the growing demand for British-made goods by joining Made in Britain.

Ace Partitioning Systems and Bespoke Industrial will be displaying the Made in Britain trademark on their products and branding to clearly show that their products are made in the UK and to demonstrate their commitment to transparency, provenance and UK production values.

The two companies have seen growing customer emphasis on traceability, accountability and quality assurance across procurement and specification decisions.

The move comes amid growing consumer and commercial demand for clearly identifiable British-made products. Recent research commissioned by Made in Britain found that 86% of UK adults consider product origin when making purchasing decisions, while 70% said they are more likely to buy products displaying the Made in Britain trademark.

Ace Partitioning Systems designs and manufactures bespoke aluminium glazing and glass partition systems, supplying office fit-out contractors, glazing companies and interior specialists across the UK.

"With contractors and specifiers placing greater emphasis on traceability, reliability and verified quality standards, independent verification is increasingly important to our customers. The business sees the Made in Britain mark as a practical tool to support specification decisions and build confidence across the supply chain," said Anna Fraczek, director of Ace Partitioning Systems.

"Joining Made in Britain was a natural step for us. We’ve always designed, developed and manufactured our systems here in the UK, so the accreditation allows us to clearly demonstrate that commitment to our customers. The membership is an important recognition of what we already stand for - British manufacturing, quality and accountability. It gives us a stronger platform to communicate that in a competitive market."

Similar priorities are also being seen across industrial and warehouse environments, according to Bespoke Industrial, a specialist designer and manufacturer of industrial partitioning and separation systems.

The London-based business works across sectors, including warehousing, food production and manufacturing, delivering partitioning and warehouse separation solutions that allow businesses to adapt operational spaces efficiently.

"Being a Made in Britain member gives you an elevated feeling that your business lives up to the trademark and shows we follow the tight requirements of Made in Britain," explained Daniel Smith, director at Bespoke Industrial.

"When consumers see that a product is Made in Britain, it can be enough to sway them to use that business. It’s also nice to see a clear drive for more British manufacturing at the moment."

Recent projects for Bespoke Industrial have included extensive works at a British boating dock, where the company constructed 20-metre-high separation walls within a large warehouse environment to support repair operations on large vessels.

"It’s clear that British manufacturing commands a high level of trust among consumers. Consumers and businesses want to know where products come from, how they are made, and the standards they meet," stated John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain.

"The Made in Britain trademark helps manufacturers by creating room for growth, helping people to identify products manufactured in the UK by verified members committed to quality and accountability. It’s all the evidence people need to buy British with pride."

www.madeinbritain.org

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MODULE-T strengthens UK presence with launch of dedicated British operations 28/05/2026

MODULAR INFRASTRUCTURE specialist MODULE-T has launched MODULE-T UK, strengthening its long-term commitment to the British market and bringing local commercial support and rapid modular construction solutions closer to clients across the UK.

The move marks the next phase of MODULE-T’s expansion across Europe, as demand grows for flexible, rapidly deployable infrastructure across industry, the public sector and event operations.

Leveraging more than 15 years of experience and exports to over 120 countries, MODULE-T’s modular and portable building solutions are designed to help companies deploy operational infrastructure quickly, efficiently and with minimal disruption. Its product portfolio includes portable office cabins, sanitary and WC units, changing rooms, storage containers, flat-pack cabins and modular prefabricated buildings.

Flexible solutions help partners optimise their estates

As organisations increasingly look for ways to manage and optimise their estates more efficiently, MODULE-T UK aims to position itself as a trusted partner delivering reliable, high-quality modular infrastructure solutions tailored to the operational realities of the UK market. Combining scalable off-site construction methods with adaptable design, the company’s modular approach supports organisations seeking greater operational flexibility, faster deployment and dependable project delivery

"The launch of MODULE-T UK represents an important milestone in our international development strategy," said Yigit Ozdemir, regional sales director at Module-T.

"Having a dedicated presence in the UK allows us to work more closely with our clients and support them as a long-term solutions partner providing reliable, high-quality modular infrastructure specifically tailored to their operational requirements."

Modular design is on the rise

The launch comes as modular and off-site construction continues to become increasingly established across the UK construction sector. Permanent modular buildings now represent the largest and fastest-growing segment of the market, as companies seek faster delivery timelines, greater certainty around quality and more efficient use of resources. Across both public and private sectors, modular construction is increasingly viewed as a proven infrastructure solution in its own right rather than an alternative to traditional building methods.

Government housing targets, rising material costs and ongoing shortages in skilled labour are also accelerating the adoption of modern methods of construction across the UK representing a sizeable USD 15 billion according to Mordor Intelligence. For contractors, industrial operators, municipalities and infrastructure developers, off-site construction is becoming an increasingly practical way to deliver scalable facilities with reduced disruption and greater predictability.
A structure dedicated to UK

MODULE-T UK will focus on delivering tailored solutions for contractors, industrial operators, construction companies, municipalities, event organisers and public sector clients seeking reliable and scalable modular infrastructure.

The company says the creation of a dedicated UK structure will improve responsiveness, strengthen customer support, and enable closer collaboration with British partners on projects requiring rapid and flexible deployment.

Combining international manufacturing expertise with local market engagement, MODULE-T UK aims to support a broad range of operational requirements, from workforce accommodation and site offices to sanitary facilities and modular workspaces.

module-t.co.uk

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AVIAN raises $2.6m to scale AI thermal monitoring for the world's most fire-prone industrial sites 20/05/2026

After two profitable bootstrapped years, the Zurich-based industrial AI company will accelerate deployment of its end-to-end thermal monitoring platform across sawmills, recycling, mining, chemical processing, oil and gas, and maritime operations - categories where fire and downtime risk are increasingly outpacing what insurers are willing to cover.

INDUSTRIAL OPERATORS across Europe and North America are facing a problem they can’t inspect their way out of. Fine dust, friction, electrical faults, and aging equipment are pushing fire and downtime risk into territory that insurers will no longer underwrite at viable premiums. Sites that were insurable five years ago are being deemed too risky today. Against that backdrop, AVIAN - the Zurich-based industrial AI company building 24/7 thermal monitoring for the world’s most fire-prone facilities -  today announced it has raised a $2.6m pre-seed round, led by Founderful. 

AVIAN was profitable and entirely bootstrapped for two years before raising. The company says it raised this round to go faster, expand engineering and deployment capacity, and scale beyond its stronghold in wood products into recycling, chemical processing, oil and gas, and maritime. AVIAN is on track to surpass $1m in ARR in 2026.

How AVIAN works 

Insurance markets are tightening, and more sites are being treated as high risk as equipment ages and failure rates climb. The old approach to thermal safety still looks like periodic thermography, a technician walking the floor with a handheld camera once a quarter. That method misses the window that matters: the hours when a component starts running hot before it fails. Most thermal vendors also stop at the hardware, selling a camera and leaving operators to figure out setup, monitoring, and escalation on their own. AVIAN takes a different approach: the sensor is one component of solving the problem, not the product. Customers are typically up and running in minutes, not months.

AVIAN is built to run like an always-on reliability layer. Its thermal cameras continuously watch the critical components that most often become ignition points, motors, bearings, conveyors, presses, and electrical cabinets, and learn what “normal” looks like in that specific plant. From there, the system focuses on drift, the early heat patterns that show up before failure. Smart alarms filter out routine heat sources so teams aren’t chasing noise, and alerts go to the right people with enough lead time to intervene before a hot component turns into downtime or fire. 

AVIAN also generates automated predictive maintenance reports and backs the platform with 24/7 human support. Every alarm event is reviewed and fed back into the models, so detection keeps improving across the fleet and each new site benefits from what AVIAN has already learned in the field.

 Customer results

Over the last two years, AVIAN has prevented $50m+ in damages from fires and equipment failures and is deployed in approximately 50 sites across 9 countries.

The impact is clear. Kamps Pallet reduced annual insurance costs by 10% at its Dillwyn sawmill after deploying AVIAN’s system. Sierra Pacific Industries has avoided 24+ hours of unplanned downtime at its Quincy site in the last 12 months alone. Schilliger Holz has used AVIAN to avoid fires and run tighter against unscheduled stops.

In several cases, the system has caught incidents at the point where they still looked small. A pellet press fire was detected early for a customer in Switzerland, avoiding millions in damage. In Germany, AVIAN flagged a small electrical fire next to a machine worth millions. Containing it early protected both the asset and the next 6 to 18 months of production that could have been lost waiting for a replacement.

"AVIAN has developed a solution to a problem which probably affects everyone in the industry directly. For us, it is a great partnership as it helps us make our operations much safer and improves the monitoring process. You will never be able to reduce the risk of fires to zero, but you can do everything you can to minimise the danger as much as possible - and AVIAN makes that possible in a simple and straightforward way," said Ernest Schilliger, CEO of Schilliger Holz. 

The team

AVIAN is a 10-person team based in Zurich. The company was founded after one of Switzerland’s largest sawmills saw Hanover’s robotics and AI research in the Swiss media and reached out about escalating fires, downtime, and rising insurance pressure.

"Most operators don't need another camera. At 3am, they need to know that a bearing is running hot before it ignites the dust around it," said Drew Hanover, co-founder and CTO of AVIAN. "We bootstrapped the business for two years because we wanted to build something operators actually trusted. We raised with Founderful for one reason: to keep doing that, in more markets, faster, without changing what we are. We spent zero minutes on a deck."

Alex Stöckl, partner at Founderful added: "Within a year of incorporation, the team at AVIAN already served dozens of manufacturing businesses in the US and Europe, preventing real fire incidents on a daily basis. With their thermal-vision technology, there's an immediate ROI and a new industrial intelligence layer that unlocks further use cases and value for customers over time - backing them to accelerate their go-to-market and product roadmap was a no-brainer."

What’s next

AVIAN’s roadmap splits into two tracks. First, the company has spent years building relationships with insurers to understand how risk is assessed, and its growing camera fleet is positioned to produce something underwriters increasingly demand: real-time, site-level risk assessments backed by live thermal telemetry. Second, AVIAN Vision extends the platform beyond thermal by upgrading existing CCTV systems to detect smoke and fire, giving customers a way to broaden 24/7 protection across an entire facility without replacing the infrastructure they already operate.

AVIAN’s long-term thesis is straightforward. Industrial risk has been priced for decades using actuarial tables and historical claims data. The next decade will be priced using quantifiable, real-time operational data, and AVIAN believes sites that have become difficult to insure can become insurable again through data, discipline, and proactive systems.

www.avian-iot.com

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