On Tuesday 10 February, Belgium's most progressive industrial companies were honoured at the "Factory of the Future Awards". This year, no fewer than 9 new Belgian companies can call themselves "Factory of the Future". It recognises these Belgian manufacturing companies as the most advanced and best prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Since the launch of this label, 84 companies have already been rewarded for their efforts, demonstrating the quality and ambition of Belgian manufacturing companies. Eleven companies are renewing their prestigious title this year.
Factories of the Future are companies that invest in digitalisation, talent development, smart processes, sustainable products and world-class production. They handle energy and materials thoughtfully and encourage the involvement, creativity and autonomy of their employees. After positive evaluation of their candiature by the experts, they are allowed to wear the title "Factory of the Future" for three years. At the end of that period, a new audit determines whether their title can be renewed.
Nine new manufacturing companies awarded
This year, nine production sites received the title Factory of the Future for the first time: Armacell Thimister Belgium, ChocDecor, Dovy kitchens, Locinox, Quality Assistance, Sports and Leisure Group - a TenCate company, Thales Alenia Space Belgium (Charleroi site), Vika, Willy Naessens Alu. They were congratulated for their outstanding efforts by Eric Verhelst, whose trail at the head of a pioneering Factory of the Future, TE-Connectivity, serves as a model and inspiration for the new and future laureates. Their award was then presented by their industry representatives, in the presence of nearly 500 people.
Flanders strengthens its industrial position
Flemish Minister-President and Minister of Economy, Innovation, Industry and Digitalisation Matthias Diependaele: "Flanders is among the absolute leaders in innovation and has industrial clusters that are known far beyond our regional borders. In this rapidly changing world, we have to pull out all the stops to maintain and further expand our leading position. With the Industry Forum, together with all industrial sectors, we are taking up the challenge of an integrated industrial policy in Flanders. Manufacturing companies are the engine of our economy. They provide almost half of Flemish exports and put bread on the table for many Flemings."
Digital and industrial transformation
Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Deputy Prime Minister of the Walloon Government and Minister of Economy, Industry, Digitalisation, Employment and Training: " The new Digital Wallonia 2025-2029 strategy underlines the importance of digitalisation for Walloon companies. Our companies must make the necessary transformations and investments to connect with the world of tomorrow. This is also exactly the vision behind the 'Factory of the Future Awards', which reward companies that are committed to this transformation. This year, Wallonia has no fewer than 24 companies with the 'Factory of the Future' label. It is clear evidence of the quality and ambition of the Walloon industrial landscape.
Renewal of the Factory of the Future title
Eleven other manufacturing companies received an extension of their title. They are Alstom Belgium, Altachem, Nuscience, Pomuni Frozen, Puratos Andenne, Takeda, Terumo, TotalEnergies Ertvelde, Vandemoortele. The remarkable performance of Daikin Europe and Valeo Vision Belgique, who are among the laureates for the fourth time, deserves special mention.
In 12 years, the small group of Belgium's most forward-looking manufacturing companies has grown to a select club of 84 companies.
Cooperation between different sectors
The Factory of the Future Awards have been an initiative of technology federation Agoria, the collective centre of the Belgian technology industry Sirris, and the industry federations Fevia (food), Fedustria (textiles, wood and furniture), essenscia (chemicals and life sciences) since 2015, and this in cooperation with the innovation clusters Centexbel (textile technology), Wood.be (wood and furniture) and the spearhead clusters Flanders' FOOD (agri-food) and Catalisti (chemicals and plastics). In 2018, this initiative was integrated into the "Digital Wallonia" digital strategy and reference tool for the 38 "Industrie du Futur" partners.
Source: Sirris
Photo: Pixabay
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