Flanders Make builds brand new top technology center in Kortrijk
Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits symbolically laid the first stone of a third centre for top technological research in Kortrijk today. In the new building, the latest Industry 4.0 technologies and production methods will be tested starting next fall. There, companies will discover how to invest optimally in their own production environment for the future in an approachable way. Companies from all sectors of industry can find inspiration there for the necessary digitization of their production processes. This is important for sustainable production, for workable work for workers and for the prosperity of our country.
Manufacturing companies can no longer ignore it: their customers increasingly expect customized products, delivered quickly and preferably at no extra cost. Those who manage to capitalize on this are immediately a solid step ahead of the competition. Flanders Make helps companies make the necessary switch to smart, digital factories for the future, in which employees continue to play a key role. New technologies are making work more engaging and also easier for a lot of workers.
"With this co-creation centre in Kortrijk, Flanders Make once again strengthens its leading role in the transformation to a competitive, innovation-driven and sustainable industry in Flanders. Companies developing production systems, machines, subsystems or process software have the opportunity here to test out the latest production technologies and manufacturing processes in real conditions. This allows them to continue future-oriented investments in highly competitive plants in their own region. “With this, Flanders joins the top regions in Europe in terms of Industry 4.0 research infrastructure," said Urbain Vandeurzen, Chairman of the Board of Flanders Make.
Companies can already visit the current Flanders Make site in Kortrijk for advice and testing for their Industry 4.0 production. The existing testing infrastructure will be transferred to the new facility next year.
"Here we will have the space to expand further, giving companies a constant taste of the state of the art in sustainable production. The focus is on digital twins, smart robotics and automation. The operator continues to play a central role, receiving the necessary support to ensure workable work. Machine builders and their suppliers can use this immediately. And we can also perfectly translate all innovations to many other sectors", says Dirk Torfs, CEO of Flanders Make.
Project developers Kristof Vanfleteren, CEO ION and Dominique Valcke, CEO Stadsbader state: "For us, R&D has always been an important pillar because we see its long-term importance. In terms of technology and architecture, this project is also an absolute reference for us. So we are proud to be a part of this project."
11 million extra for Flanders Make
Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits: "The arrival of this brand-new centre for Flanders Make in Kortrijk has great significance. The new centre will be a showpiece. Together with a great many partners, our companies are leading the way in innovation, research and development and sustainability. Meanwhile, the corona crisis is leading to important choices and innovations. Half of West Flanders companies chose to make new products over the past period and a third sought new markets. Flanders Make stands ready to assist over 11,000 companies and hundreds of thousands of employees in innovation processes. In addition, today I can announce that we are providing 11 million euros of additional support to Flanders Make. The funds are intended for a new project to further strengthen digitization and automation in our manufacturing companies.”
With those extra 11 million in financing, 6 industrial innovation leaders (Van de Wiele, Picanol, Atlas Copco, CNH, Crops, Sabca together with a consortium of technology developers and suppliers from Flanders and Europe) can further renew our manufacturing industry and make it more sustainable. The corporate sector is also making its own contribution of 53 million euros.
This investment will boost the digitalization of the Flemish and European industry. This will increase the competitiveness of our manufacturing companies from very diverse sectors (mechanical engineering, agro-food, automotive, pharma, chemicals, electronic components, etc.). Equally important is the fact that the often-small technology suppliers who are closely involved in the development of a number of pilot lines can further develop their technology and competence so that they too can strengthen their market position. In addition to increasing the competitiveness of our manufacturing industry, this project will also contribute greatly to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal. Finally, the project aims to strengthen digital human talent and establish a digital culture in companies.
Flemish companies are holding up well
Business resilience in Flanders was high during the corona crisis. While sales did fall by one-fifth, employment fell by only 2 percent. Half of the companies have adopted new business models. A lot of companies have moved quickly to new customers and markets and made adjustments to their work organization. Three quarters of companies say they are paying more attention to digitizing products and speeding up processes. Half of the companies say they maintained their investment rhythm and budget even during the covid year. There is a focus on new technologies and attention to continuing training and retraining. Flanders Make stands ready as a partner to guide the necessary conversions and innovations.
Nearly zero-energy building
In the meantime, works have started on the Graaf Karel de Goedelaan site in Kortrijk, with the first companies being welcomed in the fall of 2022. The new and timeless building was designed together with the renowned architectural firm Jaspers-Eyers and Modulo and looks particularly open and fresh thanks to large windows and terraces that give an incredible sense of space. In addition, there will also be space underground for 100 bicycle and 70 car parking spaces.
ION and Stadsbader are also betting very hard on sustainable technologies for this project. For example, there will be a heat pump combined with geothermal energy, LED lighting, solar panels, high-efficiency glass, climate ceilings, as well as rainwater recovery and charging stations for electric cars. These sustainable interventions ensure that a NZEB building can be achieved.
The new site in Kortrijk will be ready in September of next year. Flanders Make owns the land and will lease the building for 27 years via a ground lease formula from the Stadion project company (Stadsbader and ION) that is in charge of construction. With a size of 6,000 m², this will immediately become the largest co-creation centre of Flanders Make, which also has sites in Leuven, Lommel and Sint-Truiden and core labs at all Flemish universities.
