Business Synergy: Why Astra LT Chooses Collaboration
Competing in international markets becomes easier, and presenting services to potential clients becomes more effective, when industry professionals unite and speak with one voice. One way to achieve this is through clusters, where companies operating in related fields join forces and work towards common goals.
Clusters in Lithuania began to emerge several decades ago, and with the introduction of European Union funding instruments, this business model quickly gained popularity.
Established in 2019, the FTD LT (Food Technologies Digitalization LT) Cluster brings together companies that manufacture equipment for the food industry and related sectors. Today, the Cluster unites 15 companies, one research organisation and one business support and education organisation operating in Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Latvia.
Vaidas Liesionis, CEO of Astra LT AB, explains that the FTD LT Cluster operates according to a vertical integration principle, meaning that all members complement one another with their knowledge and expertise to deliver comprehensive projects to end customers.
“We manufacture stainless steel tanks and pressure vessels used in the food, chemical, medical and pharmaceutical industries. To produce our products, we rely on the support of our partners. Some partners help identify sales opportunities in foreign markets, while others contribute specialised expertise required for project implementation. In this way, Cluster members provide us with knowledge and engineering services that enable us to compete successfully on the international stage,” explains V. Liesionis.
SOLVING CHALLENGES TOGETHER
Astra LT manufactures approximately 500 tanks and pressure vessels each year, representing around 250 different projects. Since every project is unique, the company continuously seeks ways to improve project management, meet deadlines and maintain planned budgets.
To exchange experience and explore more effective operating models, Cluster members organise the event “Efficiency in the Operational Chain of Manufacturing Companies”, where industry-specific challenges are analysed and practical solutions for improving work processes are discussed.
“The challenges companies face are often recurring, so analysing real cases helps identify ways to work more efficiently and avoid mistakes. At the same time, efficiency can be increased through technological solutions such as artificial intelligence tools. We also discuss these topics with Cluster members and explore how such technologies can be integrated into everyday operations,” says V. Liesionis.
According to him, the pace of business has accelerated significantly over the past decade, requiring organisations to adapt to a much faster-changing environment. While preparing a commercial offer within a week was once considered efficient, today this is no longer sufficient. As a result, Astra LT specialists have developed a technological tool capable of generating a commercial proposal in just four minutes based on information provided by the client.
The company is currently addressing another important efficiency challenge – how to organise production in a way that ensures a balanced workload and avoids operational fluctuations. According to V. Liesionis, technological challenges can often be solved through investment in new equipment, but the most complex issues arise when managing the entire process, from order intake and engineering design to procurement, manufacturing, quality control and technical documentation.
The head of Astra LT emphasises that clusters are a strategic solution for modern businesses, enabling more efficient use of resources, faster responses to market changes and collective problem-solving. However, for this model to function successfully, continuous investment in strengthening the competencies of Cluster members is essential.
Since 2019, the FTD LT Cluster has brought together experienced market professionals, including Astra LT AB, AC-Mejerimaskiner, Alytus Business Advisory Center, Aksonas UAB, Aumega UAB, Licatrans UAB, the Lithuanian Energy Institute, Nordic Stainless Steel Tanks LT UAB, Nordic Stainless Steel Tanks Oy, Nordic Stainless Steel Tank AB, K-Tech GmbH, Trans Group LT UAB, Vaiskona UAB, Žiežmarių Sodai Agricultural Cooperative, Food Project Management SIA, Lanksti Linija UAB, Išmanūs Inžineriniai Sprendimai MB and Termosnaigė ir Ko UAB.
This publication has been prepared within the framework of the project “Development of a Mature Innovation Cluster” (No. 02-046-K-0006), partially funded by the European Union and the Republic of Lithuania, with the aim of strengthening cooperation among Cluster members and increasing their visibility in international markets.
