Belgium counts 9 new ‘Factories of the Future’

Belgian manufacturing industry in the spotlight

Brussels, 10 February 2026 – On Tuesday 10 February, the most forward-looking industrial companies in our country were honoured during the Factory of the Future Awards. The ceremony took place in the presence of Walloon Vice-Minister-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele also addressed the audience via a special video message. This year, no fewer than nine new Belgian companies may call themselves a Factory of the Future. The label recognises Belgian manufacturing companies that rank among the most advanced and best prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Since the launch of the label, 84 companies have already been rewarded for their efforts, highlighting the quality and ambition of Belgium’s industrial fabric. This year, 11 companies are renewing their prestigious title.
 

The building blocks of a Factory of the Future

Factories of the Future are companies that invest in digitalisation, talent development, smart processes, sustainable products and world-class manufacturing. They manage energy and materials thoughtfully and encourage the engagement, creativity and autonomy of their employees. After evaluation of their application by experts, they may carry the Factory of the Future title for three years. At the end of that period, a new audit determines whether the title can be renewed.
 

Nine new laureates honoured

This year, nine production sites received the title for the first time: Armacell Thimister Belgium, ChocDecor, Dovy Keukens, Locinox, Quality Assistance, Sports and Leisure Group – a TenCate company, Thales Alenia Space Belgium (Charleroi site), Vika and Willy Naessens Alu. They were congratulated on their remarkable efforts by Eric Verhelst, whose career at the helm of the pioneering Factory of the Future TE Connectivity serves as a model and source of inspiration for new and future laureates. Their awards were then presented by their sector representatives, in the presence of nearly 500 attendees. Representatives of the regional governments also expressed their support for the winners: Walloon Vice-Minister-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet addressed the audience, while Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele did so via a special video message.
 

Flanders strengthens its industrial leadership

Flemish Minister-President and Minister for Economy, Innovation, Industry and Digitalisation Matthias Diependaele stated: “Flanders belongs to the absolute top group in terms of 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 strengthen our leading position. With the Industry Forum, we are taking on the challenge of an integrated industrial policy in Flanders together with all industrial sectors. Manufacturing companies are the engine of our economy. They account for nearly half of Flemish exports and provide livelihoods for many Flemish families.”

Wallonia accelerates digital and industrial transformation

Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice-Minister-President of the Walloon Government and Minister for Economy, Industry, Digitalisation, Employment and Training, said: “The new Digital Wallonia 2025–2029 strategy underlines the importance of digitalisation for Walloon companies. Our businesses must carry out the necessary transformations and investments to connect with the world of tomorrow. This is exactly the vision behind the Factory of the Future Awards, which reward companies that fully commit to this transformation. This year, Wallonia already counts no fewer than 24 companies with the Factory of the Future label. This is clear proof of the quality and ambition of the Walloon industrial landscape. Eleven other manufacturing companies renewed their title: Alstom Belgium, Altachem, Nuscience, Pomuni Frozen, Puratos Andenne, Takeda, Terumo, TotalEnergies Ertvelde and Vandemoortele. The remarkable achievement of Daikin Europe and Valeo Vision Belgique, who are laureates for the fourth time, deserves special mention.”

Over the past 12 years, the small group of Belgium’s most future-oriented manufacturing companies has grown into a select club of 84 organisations.
 

Cooperation across sectors

Since 2015, the Factory of the Future Awards have been an initiative of the technology federation Agoria, Sirris: the collective centre of the Belgian technological industry and the industry federations Fevia (food), Fedustria (textiles, wood and furniture) and 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 strategy Digital Wallonia and the reference tool for the 38 Industrie du Futur partners.
 

The winners

Food and drink sector - Fevia. Florence Maniquet - fm@fevia.be,  +32 485 69 47 09 Flanders’ FOOD: Bart Vandamme - bart.vandamme@flandersfood.com, +32 476 20 38 14  

• ChocDecor, Lokeren  
• Nuscience, Drongen  
• Pomuni Frozen, Ranst  
• Puratos, Andenne  
• Vandemoortele, Izegem  
   

Wood and textile sector - Fedustria. Karla Basselier, CEO - karla.basselier@fedustria.be, +32 497 54 59 13 & Katja De Vos, Manager MarCom & Public Affairs, katja.devos@fedustria.be, +32 476 31 64 67  

• Sports and Leisure Group, a TenCate Company, Sint Niklaas  
• Dovy keukens, Roeselare  
• Vika, Gullegem  
   

Chemicals & life sciences sector - essenscia. Maud Vanderthommen (FR), Communication Manager - mvanderthommen@essenscia.be, +32 473 58 61 04 & Gert Jaddoulle (NL), Communication Advisor - gjaddoulle@essenscia.be, +32 495 91 06 87 

• Armacell, Thimister-Clermont  
• Quality Assistance, Thuin  
• Takeda, Lessines  
• TotalEnergies, Ertvelde   
   

Technology sector - Agoria. Jan Gatz (NL) jan.gatz@agoria.be, +32 479 40 75 68, Sarah Godard (FR) - sarah.godard@agoria.be, +32 474654621 & Sirris : Ann Debaere, MarCom Manager - ann.debaere@sirris.be, +32 473 88 53 15  

• Alstom Belgium, Charleroi  
• Altachem, Harelbeke  
• Daikin Europe, Oostende  
• Locinox, Waregem  
• Terumo, Heverlee  
• Thales Alenia Space Belgium, Charleroi  
• Valeo Vision Belgique, Ath  
   

Construction sector - contact Willy Naessens Alu: Charlotte Bothuyne - marketing@willynaessens.be,  +32 479 623 431 of +32 56 69 41 05. 

• Willy Naessens Alu, Wortegem-Petegem