In solidarity with Ukrainian industrial automation peers, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Board of Directors unanimously voted in late April to award complimentary memberships for the years 2022 and 2023 to members of the Association of Industrial Automation of Ukraine.
“Our goal is to provide the space for Ukrainian members to network with other CSIA members and explore possible outsourcing opportunities,” explains CSIA CEO Jose Rivera. “The war in Ukraine has disrupted regular local peacetime work opportunities. This contrasts with the explosive business growth benefiting SIs of many other geographies currently. Outsourcing can also help other SIs alleviate the serious talent shortages they are experiencing,”
Beside outsourcing, CSIA and its members hope that new relationships support Ukrainian SIs in their efforts to contribute to the rebuild of their manufacturing industries.
“It is worth mentioning that several Ukrainian SIs and engineering companies have experience working with Western companies and delivering projects beyond their borders,” notes Rivera. “A few of them have offices in Germany, the United States and United Arab Emirates. Language does not create a barrier.”
Alexandre Yurchak, CEO of the Association of Industrial Automation of Ukraine, has been leading the collaboration from the Ukrainian side as part of his efforts to help his members during a wartime economy.
“It is a big honor and a great opportunity for our community to have such a relationship with CSIA,” says Alexandre Yurchak. “Our best engineering companies and system integrators are ready to work with their counterparts around the world. And we really need this work as never before."
He adds, “What we appreciate even more is the friendly and fast response of CSIA to our situation. It shows a new kind professional solidarity that drives our community to be together and to hold the line on the economic front.”
