Sandvik and KTH deepen, expand cooperation

On February 17, the parties signed a Memo of Understanding that involves a formalisation of their already extensive cooperation, but also aims at further development, identification of new areas of cooperation and increased people exchanges.

The agreement with Sandvik is KTH's eighth strategic partnership. KTH President Peter Gudmundson expressed his great satisfaction with being able to take the relationship with Sandvik one step further.

“We have had joint projects with Sandvik for many years. But this is a very exciting way to work longer term. We will also be working a lot with mobility,” Gudmundson said.

For example, Sandvik to date has no adjunct professor at KTH, but now two professors are underway. The company also receives several doctoral candidates and a continuous exchange with guest lecturers is in progress.

Sandvik currently has well established contacts with four schools at KTH and with the Material platform. The cooperation includes research projects in such areas as metallurgy, as well as theses, project tasks and some teaching placements in Sandvik.

“I think there is a great value for Sandvik in this collaboration. Research and development is central to our business – a core value for the future. And talent management is of vital interest both for Sweden as a country and for us as a company,” said Sandvik CEO Olof Faxander.

Sandvik is represented in 130 countries and manufactures stainless steel, hard metal components, tools and tooling systems for metal cutting and equipment for the process industry. The company's broad activity thus provides scope for cooperation in several fields of study, Faxander said.

“We are considered materials experts. But, for example, we also manufacture equipment for the mining industry. So skills such as leadership, lean manufacturing and IT are also very interesting for us.”

Ursula Stigzelius

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