In no small part, Flanders’ impressive track record in research and innovation across a wide range of disciplines and sector is due to its four strategic research centers. They cover research in nano-, micro- and digital technology (imec), biotech (VIB), product and process engineering (Flanders Make), and technological innovation (VITO). These research centers have fostered close partnerships with one or more of Flanders’ five universities – KU Leuven, UGent, VUB, UA and UHasselt – and with the business world in Flanders and abroad.

Even more, competence centers like Sirris and OMC offer specific services for advanced manufacturing operations.

The diversity of production and assembly plants in Flanders has resulted in a rich network of suppliers you can partner with. Active in research and design, production, testing and certification, they supply a wide range of industries. Many of them are SMEs that work frequently together and form strong networks in specific areas. Here are a few examples.

Mechatronics:

• CNH (Zedelgem)
• Daikin (Ostend)
• Tyco (Oostkamp)

Industrial automatization:

• Endress + Hauser (Evere)
• Socomec (Brussels)

Product design:            

• NEY & Partners (Brussels)
• Futureproofed (Leuven)
• Imaginif (Brussels)
• Wonderland (Ghent)

Additive manufacturing:

• Layerwise / 3D Systems Leuven (Leuven)
• Materialise (Leuven)
• Melotte (Zonhoven)