This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge on innovation processes
in low- and medium-low-tech industries. Today, industries
characterised as high-tech are perceived to be central to economic
development, as the research intensity shields them from competition
from low-wage countries. This is less the case for low-tech industries,
but their economic importance continues to be large, however. It is
thus interesting to analyse how they manage to remain competitive.
The analysis focuses on a case study of the fabricated metal
industry by identifying the innovation strategies followed by firms
located in a part of Jutland, where this industry has experienced
growth. It is found that the ability to create tailor-made solutions
is central to the competitiveness of these medium-low-tech firms.
Knowledge is thus highly important, yet in different ways than for
high-tech industries. This illustrates the importance of industrial
policies that take these differences into account.