Belgium has 11 new “Factories of the Future”
Brussels, February 11 - Today, the most future-proof factories in our country were honored. As of today, no fewer than 11 Belgian companies can call themselves “Factory of the Future”. This is the highest number of new laureates since the Factory of the Future awards were first presented. Another 5 companies were able to renew their prestigious title. The awards recognize the most advanced and future-oriented production companies in Belgium. The award ceremony took place in the presence of Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Walloon Vice-Minister-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet, both of whom are also responsible for Industry.
Factories of the Future are companies that are fully committed to digitization, talent development, smart processes, sustainable products and world-class production. They use energy and materials in a thoughtful way and stimulate the involvement, creativity and autonomy of their employees. The competition jury of experts must award the winners a score of at least 8 out of 10 in each of these areas. They may then officially call themselves a “Factory of the Future” for a period of three years. After these three years, they must earn their stripes again, and a jury will conduct a new audit to determine whether their title can be renewed.
This year, 11 production sites will receive the title for the very first time: UCB Belgium Biomanufacturing Operations Center, Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium, CCEP Chaudfontaine, Puratos Lummen, Pringles Mechelen-Belgium, Lantmännen Unibake, Knauf Insulation, Newell Brands Belgium, Safran Blades, Duracell Solutions and Decospan. They received their awards from Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele and Walloon vice-minister-president Pierre-Yves Jeholet. Over 700 people attended the award ceremony.
Flemish minister-president and minister of Economy, Innovation & Industry Matthias Diependaele:
“Flanders is among the absolute top in innovation and has industrial clusters that are known far beyond our regional borders. In this rapidly changing world, we must do everything we can to maintain and further expand our leading position. With the Industry Forum, we are taking up the challenge - together with all industry sectors - for an integrated industrial policy in Flanders. Manufacturing companies are the engine of our economy. They account for almost half of Flemish exports and provide many Flemings with the means to put food on the table.”
Five other manufacturing companies were able to renew their previously obtained title: Vinventions, P&V Panels and Stas Waregem can now call themselves “Factory of the Future” for the second time. Van Hoecke and TE Connectivity have even been recognized four times. In the space of 11 years, the leading group of most future-oriented production companies in Belgium has grown into a select club of 75 companies.
Collaboration between different sectors
The Factory of the Future Awards have been an initiative of the technology federation Agoria, the collective center of the Belgian technological industry Sirris, and the industry federations Fevia (food), Fedustria (textiles, wood and furniture), Essenscia (chemicals and life sciences), in collaboration with the innovation clusters Centexbel (textile technology), Wood.be (wood and furniture) and the spearhead clusters Flanders' FOOD (agrifood) and Catalisti (chemicals and plastics). In 2018, this initiative was integrated into the “Digital Wallonia” strategy and the reference tool for the 38 “Industrie du Futur” partners.
The winners
From the food and beverage sector:
- CCEP, Chaudfontaine
- Puratos, Lummen
- Pringles, Mechelen- Belgium
- Lantmännen Unibake
From the wood and textile sector:
- Decospan
- Van Hoecke
From the chemicals & life sciences sector:
- Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium
- UCB Belgium Biomanufacturing Operations Center
- Vinventions
From the technology sector:
- Knauf Insulation
- Newellco Belgium
- Safran Blades
- Duracell Solutions
- P&V Panels
- STAS Waregem
- TE Connectivity