Skandia Elevator is a third-generation family firm which develops, manufactures and sells transport systems for the grain industry. The company generated EUR 20 million in revenue in 2020. To further develop its business, the company had started a process of digitalising grain storage facilities.
Skandia Elevator had identified several customer needs and saw opportunities to develop digital services to meet these needs. It realised that developing the system would help to increase customer value.
Skandia Elevator had taken an initial step with the development of its Grain Cloud digital monitoring system. With the aid of a mobile application, the system could display and process data in the storage facility. But there was a desire and intent to further develop Grain Cloud. The idea was that the system should be able to:
By means of the SmartAgri innovation platform, Agroväst, RISE and Science Park Skövde were able to help Skandia Elevator to structure its processes and see further potential with a digitalised handling system. More information and new data, new measurements and new functions were added to the system.
With financing from Vinnova, a preliminary study was carried out to raise the company’s understanding of how AI and machine learning could be used in grain stores to generate increased customer value.
The findings from the preliminary study were taken forward into an innovation project. Skandia Elevator was helped to draw up an application for innovation support and to build a project team including some new collaboration partners. The project was granted funding of EUR 500,000 to develop and test the Grain Cloud digital monitoring system. Other partners in the project are: CNet, Automationsteknik i Lidköping AB, Varaslättens Lagerhus and Hedåkers Säteri.
With this financing, it is now possible to take the management of the grain flow to the next level, where machine learning, AI, existing data and new sensor technology will be used to improve control and traceability. Capacity will also be optimised to make maintenance easier to plan. The new solution creates clear business value for the end-customers, while also helping to reduce their climate footprint with smart, optimised processes.
" The project enabled us to get help to finance our large investment in digitalising grain storage. We also received invaluable help from the innovation group in selecting the most important functions for the system. SmartAgri project-managed and handled the reporting to the Swedish Board of Agriculture most effectively. We are well satisfied."
Joakim Larsson, Skandia Elevator
Read more about Grain Cloud on Skandia Elevators web site
