Robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence or 3D printing are some of the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution that converge in DFactory Barcelona, the new space promoted and managed by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona. In operation for less than a year, this factory of the future aspires to become the center of innovation 4.0 in southern Europe and the node for generating an ecosystem that attracts talent, technology and investments in technological projects. Its first building, 17,000 square meters, already houses more than 30 companies and is planning a second phase of expansion.
DFactory Barcelona will open its doors from October 3 to 6 to attendees of the third edition of the Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW), in which it will be its first presentation in society. During BNEW, the latest global technological and economic transformations will be revealed. Through 180 sessions of hybrid content in 130 sessions that can be followed in person or online, by 600 speakers who will address topics related to the digital industry, the real estate sector, mobility, talent, sustainability, experience and the investment.
As a preview of this meeting with Industry 4.0, Diálogos en La Vanguardia celebrated at DFactory Barcelona the session "Challenges and opportunities of the new economy", which featured the interventions of the special delegate of the State in the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, Pere Navarro; the first deputy mayor of the Barcelona City Council, Jaume Collboni; the president of the Area of Economic Development, Tourism and Commerce of the Diputación de Barcelona, Eva Menor; the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Wallbox, Jordi Lainz; the director general of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, Blanca Sorigué; the director of investments and scouting of Oryon Universal, Joan Albà, and the territorial director of Catalonia of Innovae, Xavier Riba.
Pere Navarro, co-host of the meeting together with the CEO of Godó Strategies, Pere Guardiola, welcomed the speakers, highlighting that Dfactory Barcelona is a space in which innovative technological projects converge, demonstrating the industry's "ability to adapt" to a context that changes “increasingly faster”. "DFactory is a symbol of what we want to see happen," he insisted.
Jaume Collboni also praised the initiative, highlighting that "the DFactory innovation hub is an example of what Barcelona is doing to win a future" that guarantees "economic growth" in an "inclusive and sustainable" way. The challenge, however, is that "no one is left behind in the technological, ecological and energy revolution" which is why Collboni warned of the need to take measures to prevent a "digital divide" from occurring. The administrations, he stressed, must support the transformation of the industry, "laying the foundations so that companies have all the context conditions they require."
Eva Menor also pointed out the need to "consolidate public-private collaboration". From her point of view, “local economies” must be seen as “an ecosystem” from a “multi-stakeholder perspective”. Among them, she recalled the specific weight of small and medium-sized companies, which make up the majority of the productive fabric. The challenge is to ensure that the digital and sustainable transformation "reaches SMEs as well".
The Free Zone Consortium wants to be "an engine" for all this transformation, which requires collaboration between "the private economy and public institutions". In Pere Navarro's opinion, the European Next Generation EU funds also represent an opportunity to further promote the transition towards a more digital and sustainable industry, with "training as an essential pillar for creating opportunities". “Talent is the lever on which the new economy must pivot. We must have the capacity to attract talent, retain talent and generate talent”, agreed Jaume Collboni. "We must not lose any talent, so we must have an inclusive look and a gender look," added Eva Menor.
Barcelona is managing to attract talent because it is becoming "an innovation pool", celebrated the CFO of the electric vehicle charging solutions and energy management company Wallbox, which this year has opened a factory in Barcelona's Zona Franca. Jordi Lainz considers that "in addition to a good climate and quality of life", it is also necessary to promote training and have an international vision. In this context, he highlighted the role of young “trailer companies” like his, which accompany the rest of the industrial sector in the energy and sustainable “transition moment” in which it finds itself.
Holding a global event like the BNEW, recalled Blanca Sorigué, is a unique opportunity to "display those great assets that the city of Barcelona has". In this edition, in addition, those attending the event will have the opportunity to check the "innovation explosion" that is taking place in DFactory, stressed the general director of the Consorci de la Zona Franca, giving as an example the 3D printed electric car that they will be able to see as soon as you enter the building. In addition to the debate spaces spread over the six sets located in different parts of DFactory, attendees will be able to enjoy "sensory and gastronomic experiences," she announced.
The company that invests in disruptive startups, Oryon Universal, is one of the companies that has chosen to settle in DFactory, with the aim of "strengthening the ecosystem", recalled Joan Albà. Its director of investments and scouting proposed that more measures be promoted that favor investment in entrepreneurial projects. Among them, he advocated "equating business angels with investment funds" in terms of taxation.
Innovae, specialized in virtual and augmented reality solutions, has also decided to locate itself in DFactory, specifically in its coworking space. Its territorial director, Xavier Riba, is convinced that "the very genesis of the building" favors the "interconnection of technologies and sectors, since it allows" the sharing of knowledge at a time of hyper-specialization in which each technology has its potential to improve industrial processes". The convergence of technologies and talent is, in his opinion, the way to transform the industry.
Pere Navarro ended the meeting by encouraging people to participate in the activities that will take place at DFactory on the occasion of BNEW”, a “global event that takes place in Barcelona and was born to stay”.
