At SIGI Europe, innovation and responsibility are core to how we grow and evolve. Our collaboration with Halmstad University exemplifies how we’re engaging with fresh, forward-thinking perspectives while supporting the development of the next generation of engineers. This partnership is about more than just improving our business—it’s about contributing to society by investing in future talent.
The collaboration started with a simple but ambitious goal: improving SIGI’s Distributed Sales Support (DSS) program, a tool that helps distributors configure, quote, and manage orders more efficiently. However, the partnership quickly grew beyond software improvements. “We wanted to bring in fresh eyes—people who could look at the system without preconceptions,” says My Hoffmann, Customer Support Manager at SIGI Europe. “The students brought new ideas that we hadn’t even considered.”
Empowering Tomorrow’s Engineers
The collaboration has been about more than just refining software. For the students, it’s an opportunity to engage with real-world projects and gain practical experience working with an industry leader. “They weren’t just working on a classroom assignment,” My explains. “They were solving real problems for a real company, which made it incredibly motivating for them.”
The students provided crucial feedback on everything from user experience to terminology, even conducting interviews with customers to better understand their needs. This hands-on experience gave the students a sense of what it’s like to work in the engineering field, while also offering SIGI invaluable insights into how the next generation of engineers approaches problem-solving.
“It was fascinating to see their process,” My says. “They used tools like FIGMA to document their work, held regular project meetings with us, and developed solutions that were not only innovative but also practical. The whole experience was a two-way street—they learned from us, and we learned from them.”
Fostering Innovation and Social Responsibility
By partnering with Halmstad University in Sweden, SIGI Europe demonstrates a commitment not only to innovation but also to fostering relationships with educational institutions and supporting young talent. Encouraging students to think critically and creatively about real-world challenges aligns with SIGI’s vision of corporate responsibility and contributing to society.
“Just being around the students and seeing how they think is inspiring,” My notes. “They bring fresh energy and creativity that sparks new ideas, not just for the DSS program but for how we can approach innovation as a whole.”
This collaboration also provides SIGI with an opportunity to give back to the community. “We’re not just helping students grow into engineers,” My says. “We’re showing them that industrial companies can be exciting places to work, where innovation and social responsibility go hand in hand.”
Looking Forward
The success of the partnership with Halmstad University has opened doors for future projects. “This is just the beginning,” My reflects. “We’ve built strong relationships with the university, and more projects are definitely on the horizon. It’s a fantastic way to not only improve our own processes but also to inspire young talent and promote the idea that companies like ours play a vital role in shaping the future of engineering.”
At SIGI Europe, the focus remains on innovation and contributing to society—values that are strengthened by this unique collaboration with tomorrow’s engineers. Through initiatives like these, SIGI is helping to foster both growth and a sense of responsibility for the communities we serve.
