Swedish Lapland Test Region

Moving from geographical handicap to world leading industry

Facts about the region

• 8 municipalities

• Size – 83 054 km2

• Population – 74 359 inhabitants

Industry based on

• Forest

• Mining

• Water power

Structural change

Car testing cluster

History• Started in the 1960 - 1970• German company TELDEX used

runway on a frozen lake in Arjeplog to test their products.

Today • Has grown from being a modest

activity to an importent industry in the region with elements of high technology and growth

What is it all about? Testing of components and other

car systems in cold climate. Local entrepreneurs supply and manage icetracks, garage, workshops and staff for car- and component tests. International car- and component manufacturers from all over the world are represented in the region. (Bosch, GM, Continental Teves, VW ao)

Car testing cluster

The cooperation between the local entrepreneurs (Swedish Provingground Association, SPA), local authorithies, government, university and manufacturers are based on a strategic development plan for the cluster concerning:

– Competence

– Communications

– Accomodation

– Land

– Financing

Car testing cluster

Facts• Turnover 2002/2003 - 50 000 000 euro

• Annual increase – 20-25%

• Annual employments – 500

• Seasonal employments – 1 500

• More than 2000 person/year are coming from all over the world to work in our region

• In Arjeplog (3 200 inh.) more than 15 000 guestnights/year due to the car testing industry

• Calculated investments in infrastructure and housing for the next 3 years – 100 000 000 euro

Swedish Lapland Test Region

The establishment of a common organisation for the municipalities in the car testing cluster - ”Lapland Test Region”– more profound cooperation and networking between the actors in

order to develop the industry and increase economic growth

– Marketing of a worldleading test region

– Together face future challenge and threats

Challenges:

• Tourism – To develop the tourist industry based on the same principles and infrastructure that made the car testing cluster strong

• Military testing and training area – Great potential in our region

Conclusion

We are:

• Creating smart system based on geographical conditions

(Cold climate, sparsely populated)• Providing European Added value – ”Best of the Best”

But still:

• Depopulation• Long way to go