Cluster Insight With Xylem Analytics

– Xylem’s motto is “Let’s Solve Water” and we provide solutions to water related issues such as floods, lack of clean water and in general for the entire water cycle. For this, we have been included on the distinguished Fortune’s list of companies that “Change the World” two years in a row, says Inger Graves.

Cluster insight is a column where we ask six questions to catch a glimpse into the daily business-lives of our cluster partners and members.

This week, we spoke with Inger Graves to learn more about her and her work in Xylem Analytics; a global company focused on solving the world’s most challenging and fundamental water issues.

1. What is your role in Xylem Analytics (Aanderaa Data Instruments)?

   Ocean & Coastal Product Management Segment Leader for Xylem Analytics, which Aanderaa Data Instruments is part of. Together with the Product Management team here in Bergen and team members abroad, we determine what products and solutions we are launching into the market. We ensure that our worldwide sales team in Xylem are able to profile these efficiently to their customers.

2. Your main focus at work right now is?

   While scientific research customers are still an important segment, we have had good success with operational customers who need to improve their operations with reliable data from the ocean. Whether it is oxygen sensors to aquaculture or buoy systems with real-time data to mariners, the commonality is that without solid and robust solutions, the value of ocean measurement diminishes. In the near term, my team and I are therefore working on products to solve problems in aquaculture with improvements in current measurements, as well as an initiative to make wave measurements easier and more robust. For the longer term, we are revising our 5 year plan and leveraging initiatives in Xylem within data delivery and decision intelligence to provide value to our customers.

3. Biggest challenges for your company in the future?

   As a company, we are in markets that are highly competitive with national and international actors. In many cases, decisions are based on price. As a company selling reliable, quality solutions, the competition can be hard. Our core strategy for Aanderaa is to take care of the high-end manufacturing here in Bergen with assembly, test, qualification and calibration. This way we ensure the knowledge-based operations are carried out correctly and we can be sure of the quality of the products we provide. This approach is challenging when competing with low-cost equipment providers, and challenges us to show our customers that the life-time cost of using our sensors and solutions in most cases are actually lower than the competition.

4. Best part of being member in a cluster

   We have had many benefits from the GCE Ocean Technology cluster. When working in new markets, being active in the cluster provides easier access to market insights, potential partners, and overview of other actors in a new industry. We experienced this when expanding into Aquaculture, where we utilised this arena to find our approach on how to grow in this market. Also, we have gained valuable insights into industry trends and opportunities for offshore wind and deep sea mining, markets that could become more important to us in the future.

5. Your business motto

   Xylem’s motto is “Let’s Solve Water” and we provide solutions to water related issues such as floods, lack of clean water and in general for the entire water cycle. For this, we have been included on the distinguished Fortune’s list of companies that “Change the World” two years in a row. For me personally, working for a purpose I believe in, is important. The larger goal of Xylem is to solve water related issues, and the goal we have on the ocean side to “devote our technology, time and talent to advance safe, sustainable utilisation of the ocean”. At the end of the day, knowing that I have contributed towards these goals is inspiring.

6. Which cluster member should we interview next?

   OCTIO Group

Thank you for the insight Inger.

Learn more about Aanderaa and Xylem Analytics.