IndX Project Manager Robin Eriksson welcomes SICK's General Manager Joakim Delbom to IndX.

SICK, a world-leading supplier of sensors and sensor solutions for industries, has joined IndX as its fifth partner. We spoke with Joakim Delbom, General Manager for the Linköping site to learn more about why they are entering IndX and how startups play an important role in their business development.

Originally founded in 1985 by Robert Forchheimer, SICK in Linköping (former IVP) has successfully developed Machine Vision solutions for the industrial automation market. As a SICK Innovation Center, they have since 2003, successfully contributed to the growth of SICK Machine Vision solutions by developing and offering advanced products and systems in 2D and 3D machine vision to the market.

Joakim Delbom, now General Manager, began his journey at SICK in 2004 as Development Manager, after holding various positions at Ericsson and Kreatel. At that time, SICK had recently acquired the company IVP, which led to the merger SICK IVP. This marked the beginning of significant investments in product development, expanding their portfolio of camera technology for industrial applications. It included innovations in 2D and 3D cameras, image processing, and positioning SICK as the leader in machine vision.

As SICK enters IndX, it will not just be the Swedish division but the entire global SICK Group.

“IndX offers a context that works globally and locally, with the added advantage of scouting companies internationally. We first learned about IndX through an international delegation and the executive board saw its potential,” explains Joakim.

A broad product portfolio requires collaboration

SICK’s product portfolio spans over a wide range of sensor technologies, with products ranging from advanced camera-based sensors to less advanced sensors for easier tasks. SICK offers more than 40,000 products to the market. This requires collaboration on many levels.

Joakim Delbom, General Manager, SICK

“That’s where IndX comes in. We need to ensure a steady inflow of innovative ideas to develop ourselves. In addition to offering market-leading solutions for industrial automation to our customers, we have our own inhouse manufacturing and logistics operations to optimize. Our affiliated companies handle the sales of our products, adding another layer ofcomplexity. We face a logistical challenge. SICK must offer the best solutions to help digitalize our customers’ organizations, while also ensuring that we digitalize ourselves,” says Joakim.

Looking ahead to 2025, SICK is particularly interested in innovations in the fields of sensor technologies, software and AI solutions that can be integrated into existing or new sensors. They are keen on exploring, together with partners, how the complete eco system offered to their customers, as well as their own inhose production and logistic operations can be developed.

IndX partners can join forces to collaborate

“IndX is a powerful engine for scouting startups. It creates opportunities to build knowledge and learn from each other as partners. We can contribute with our expertise in industrial automation and support regional and local growth in this sector,” Joakim says.

IndX brings together five global industrial partners: Husqvarna Group, Toyota Material Handling Europe, Saab, Väderstad, and now SICK, where sometimes multiple partners may find interest in the same startup.

Connecting with startups and discovering new technologies is our top priority and collaborating with the other partner companies on proof-of-concept projects and other initiatives in IndX are equally important,” Joakim concludes.

Read more about SICK:

https://www.sick.com/se/en/w/way-finder-IVP-AB/

Learn more about IndX:

https://linkopingsciencepark.se/indx/