**SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION**
The company **ATINEL**, based in Varaždin, specializes in industrial automation and primarily operates in the automotive industry. It offers high-level engineering services and enjoys a reputation as a reliable supplier on the international market. The company designs and programs control systems and industrial robots for production lines. Programs are developed according to client requirements and project needs. The programming and design work is carried out in Varaždin, while the commissioning of production lines takes place at the end clients’ facilities, mostly abroad. This requires employees to stay on-site for several weeks, increasing overall project costs.
With the goal of strengthening its position in this specific industry and optimizing operational costs, the company decided to offer enhanced and comprehensive services in industrial automation by establishing a new business unit. The purpose of the project is to increase the company’s competitiveness by setting up a department for electrical design, simulation, and virtual commissioning using new technologies and tools. This will reduce fieldwork time, improve working conditions, and boost employee motivation.
The target group of the project includes current and future employees of the company. Their needs involve secure and adequate income, work within their profession, opportunities for further professional development, and upgrading of existing skills. End users of the project include ATINEL’s clients, students of technical faculties (FOI, FER, FSB) with whom the company collaborates on educational projects, and the broader community which benefits from the company’s operations. Additionally, ATINEL serves as an example of best practices for other entrepreneurs.
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**PROJECT GOALS AND EXPECTED RESULTS**
Project activities include the procurement of equipment and specialized software tools for electrical design, simulation of robotic stations with virtual commissioning, employee training for the use of new tools, furnishing of the workspace for the new business unit, and project promotion through marketing and visibility activities.
The implementation of the project contributes to sustainable development and strengthens the company’s competitiveness, thereby helping to preserve jobs. By increasing the company’s competitiveness, the project will directly impact business growth and facilitate the employment of highly educated professionals.
The increase in company competitiveness will improve competence, capacity, and revenue. This directly contributes to the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises and has both economic and social impact in the Republic of Croatia.
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**PROJECT VALUE**
* **Total project value:** HRK 707,100.00
* **Total eligible costs:** HRK 707,100.00
* **EU co-financing amount:** HRK 300,000.00
* **Own funds:** HRK 407,100.00
* **Project implementation period:** November 7, 2016 – January 7, 2018