Innovation cluster Drachten is an internationally operating ecosystem of collaborating high-tech companies and knowledge institutions in the Northern Netherlands who operates at the forefront of innovations and are competitive in the world market. Working at our companies means contributing to solutions for the major challenges of the future. We call this the "Big 5 of the High Tech": 3D metal printing, Remote sensoring and big data, Robotics, Visual intelligence and All renewable propulsion. We do this by using the most modern product, ICT and process technologies or, where necessary, developing them ourselves. This is possible thanks to the unique pre-competitive collaboration of our R&D departments. The result is more than 50 new product introductions per year worldwide. Products that, among other things, save human lives, make it easy to operate complex systems and products that are tailored to the individual wishes and needs of consumers and that make data accessible to improve the quality of food. Our collaboration forms "The heart of the smart factory region" of North West Europe. Innovation cluster Drachten consists of the following companies: ASTRON, Beenen, BD, Comecer, Dewulf, Perkin & Elmer, FMI, Horus, Kwant Controls, Norma Group, Philips Drachten, Photonis, Quadient, Resato International, SRON, Stork, Variass, Ventura Systems, VDH Products BV, WhisperPower, XPAR Vision, YP Your Partner, ZiuZ Visual Intelligence.