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FlandersMake – Collaborative Research And Testing

To request an opportunity to meet with FlandersMake, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

FlandersMake is the strategic research facility for manufacturing in Belgium’s industrial region. Its ten university facilities with about 300 researchers are available for private U.S. company use and collaborative research with U.S. institutions.

More specifically, FlandersMake supports the innovation projects of manufacturing companies, contributing to new products and processes that help realize the vehicles, machines and factories of the future.

Optimal interaction between machines and humans is a crucial feature to respond to the increasing trend of customized products. In such factories, the creativity and intelligence of operators and the precision and power of machines are a perfectly working match. Flanders Make will guide you through the different research objectives and results related to create smart workstations, adaptive, human-centered, robot-collaborative manufacturing organizations and systems and cognitive and physical interaction between man and robot using the technology offered today (augmented reality, closed loop MES interaction, etc.)

Opportunities for Partnerships

FlandersMake offers several collaborative approaches:

Manufacturer/Sector Research

Manufacturers or entire sectors often underwrite research into a particular issue. When complete, results are shared with the sponsors. This provides opportunities for
— Manufacturers, which can benefit from the FlandersMake applied research, and
— Colleges and Universities, which could assist and benefit from the research effort.

Small Batch Manufacturing

FlandersMake has the facilities to support high precision manufacturing. The process allows for quick, low-expensive prototyping so that new products can get to market faster.

Testing

Manufacturers frequently rent the specialized equipment and expertise of FlandersMake to test new prototypes. This can include the nearly 50-mile Ford Lommel Proving Ground, located adjacent to FlandersMake’s Lommel office. For 40 years, the Lommel Proving Ground has been Ford’s most important automotive testing site.

FlandersMake has earned the trust of industry, which uses the extensive facilities to test discreetly prototypes and experimental ideas without fear of publicity.

Click here to read about the Belgian presentations at the SC Automotive Summit.

To request an opportunity to meet with FlandersMake, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

About the Speaker: Dirk Torfs, CEO of FlandersMake, earned a PhD in Applied Science from KU-Leuven based on a thesis on Modeling and Control and an MBA in Entrepreneurship. Prior to joining FlandersMake as the CEO in 2014, Dirk was Vice President, Division Manager Benelux at ABB Benelux and had several other senior management functions in the electromechanical industry.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-torfs-96a54510/

Dirk Torfs – CEO
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tel: +32 11 790 590
Flanders Make cvba-so
Oude Diestersebaan 133
B-3920 Lommel, Belgium
Website: www.flandersmake.be

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LASE – Turnkey Automation Solutions

To request an opportunity to meet with LASE, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

Since 2001, LASE has been developing turnkey automation projects for OEMs as well as Tier I and II suppliers worldwide. LASE can provide the most cost-effective manufacturing solution for interior systems, exterior plastics, fuel systems, drive trains and axles. As a turnkey integrator, LASE has all divisions in house, from design to manufacturing up to installation & training in your facility.

Clear Communication

A team of more than 30 employees allows LASE to eliminate the need for subcontractors on automation projects. In other words: LASE lessens the risk  of miscommunication, creates clear lines of communication and always takes full responsibility.

LASE also takes the appropriate measures from the very beginning in order to minimize the risk of mistakes and make your process as failsafe as possible.

Thanks to this unique approach, LASE has been a preferred supplier to many of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers for years.

Click here to read about the Belgian presentations at the SC Automotive Summit.

To request an opportunity to meet with LASE, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

About the Speaker: After several years at Lear Corporation, Gert Peetersem founded Labor Aiding Systems Europe (LASE) in 2001. Gert carries a Master’s Degree in Industrial Automation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gert-peetersem

Gert Peetersem – General Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +32 13 31 57 36 / Cell: +32 477 59 05 13
Labor Aiding Systems Europe, NV
Industrieweg 1086
B-3540 Herk-de-Stad, Belgium
Website: http://www.lase.be/en

 

Georg Eigster – Director of Sales
E-Mail: [email protected]

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Proceedix – Digital Work Instructions

To request an opportunity to meet with Proceedix, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

Proceedix is a young and ambitious technology company, headquartered in beautiful Ghent, Belgium.

Since its foundation in 2014, it has developed one of the leading solutions for digital work instructions.

Google Glass Partner

Early on, Proceedix was selected by Google to become one of only about a dozen official “Glass Partners”, developing industrial applications for Google’s new “Enterprise Edition” smart glasses.

In the meantime, the company has grown to about 20 people, raised 2 million Euros in scale-up funding, established an American subsidiary, and developed an impressive list of customers.

The Proceedix administration platform makes it easy to create and manage procedures, work instructions, and checklists centrally, while mobile and wearable devices -such as phones, tablets, and smart glasses- empower shop floor operators and field workers with any information needed during execution.

Using Proceedix, operators, quality inspectors, and maintenance/service technicians always have the right, up-to-date, and easily understandable information at their fingertips when and where they need it. They can easily record input such as numerical values, photos, and videos, and send action items to first-line support functions. As a result, Proceedix’ customers have been able to significantly improve quality, productivity, flexibility, and safety

Internationally Recognized Excellence

Last year, Proceedix was nominated as “Best Enterprise Solution” at the Augmented World Expo 2017. And one of their American customers, AGCO, won the AME Excellence Award, based on their work -and results- with Proceedix-on-Glass.

In addition to its Ghent headquarters, Proceedix has sales offices in San Francisco, and a strategic implementation partner located in Greenville, South Carolina.

Click here to read about the Belgian presentations at the SC Automotive Summit.

To request an opportunity to meet with Proceedix, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

About the Speaker: Peter carries a Master in Engineering Applied Physics, and MBA and a Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma. Prior to founding Proceedix in 2014, Peter has acquired 20 years of business process re-engineering experience at multiple positions in different companies. https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-verstraeten/

 


Peter Verstraeten – CEO
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +32.475.48.72.51
Address: Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 808, bus 338B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Website: www.proceedix.com

 

 

Stijn Van de Velde –  Implementation Partner
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +1.864.525.5458
Address: 33 Market Point Drive,
Greenville SC 29607
Website: www.executionpartners.us

 

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ProSuite – Traceability and Process Control

To request an opportunity to meet with ProSuite, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

ProSuite develops and markets paperless manufacturing software solutions. Based on a predefined workflow, their software controls the full assembly process, registers all the product assembly steps and generates a complete birth certificate.

Complex assembly processes still require operators. But operators are still humans — not robots — which means they can make mistakes. ProSuite works to minimize those mistakes by combining traceability with process control. “Traceability” means listing all registered data. “Process control” means giving an operator step-by-step instructions with the aid of a screen, and enabling and disabling equipment as necessary.

ProSuite has extensive experience in all different types of traceability and process control solutions, ranging from simply tracking tightening results to complete plant control.

ProSuite® is a standard solution, achieved by combining a flexible architecture with custom made plug-ins. Its flexible architecture makes ProSuite® usable for various assembly applications and machines from various suppliers.

ProSuite®  is offered for every industry that uses tightening tools, one station to entire assembly lines.

ProSuite® can cover up to 95% of your needs with standard software modules and our architecture allows us to make custom modules where needed to cover the last 5%.

Click here to read about the Belgian presentations at the SC Automotive Summit.

To request an opportunity to meet with ProSuite, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

About the Speaker: Prior to founding De Jaeger Automation in 2000, the company developing the ProSuite software, Patrick De Jaeger worked as Automation Consultant at Volvo Cars Ghent and Tier-1 companies. Patrick holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdejaeger/

 

 

Patrick De Jaeger – International Business Dev. Manager
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +32 93 78 49 89 / Cell : +32 495 26 11 60
ProSuite – De Jaeger Automation BVBA
Consciencelaan 79
B-9950 Waarschoot, Belgium
Website: http://www.prosuite.eu

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RapidFit – Manufacturing Game Changer

To request an opportunity to meet with RapidFit, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

The RapidFit system changes the way fixtures are designed and manufactured. As a modular system, RapidFit offers a high degree of customization and accuracy, while also allowing for the re-use of standardized elements. Advanced functionality can be integrated into fixtures, such as snap-fits and clips. These in turn enable increased repeatability and a better representation of the part environment. RapidFit is a game-changer in automotive tooling, shortening the time-to-market for products.

RapidFit is a daughter company of Materialise – a worldwide leading company in 3D printing and listed on the NASDAQ as MTLS. Materialise focuses on tooling applications where 3D printing can make a disruptive improvement.

RapidFit is fully dedicated to tooling and has a specialized team of tooling engineers as well as a top-notch production facility. Being part of the Materialise Group enables RapidFit to have the best possible access to all 3D printing skills, including software developments for design and production automation.

About Materialise

Materialise’s open and flexible platforms enable players in industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, art and design, and consumer goods, to build innovative 3D printing applications that make the world a better and healthier place.

Headquartered in Belgium, with branches worldwide, the company has brought together the largest group of software developers in the industry and one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the world.

The RapidFit system changes the way fixtures are designed and manufactured. As a modular system, RapidFit offers a high degree of customization and accuracy, while also allowing for the re-use of standardized elements. Advanced functionality can be integrated into fixtures, such as snap-fits and clips. These in turn enable increased repeatability and a better representation of the part environment. RapidFit is a game-changer in automotive tooling, shortening the time-to-market for your product.

Click here to read about the Belgian presentations at the SC Automotive Summit.

To request an opportunity to meet with RapidFit, please email [email protected], or use the form found here.

About the Speaker: Stef Thulie joined Materialise in 1994, and has had different roles in the company throughout the years: project management, account management, sales management. Stef carries a Master’s Degree in Industrial Engineering
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stef-thulie-08036a4/

Stef Thulie – Sales Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +32 16 396 636 / Cell: +32 485 268010
RapidFit NV
Technologielaan 15
B-3001 Haasrode, Belgium
Website: http://rapidfit.materialise.be

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Samsung Partners with SC Universities for New Plant

Samsung will partner with Clemson University and the University of South Carolina for a five-year effort to make better home appliances, the company announced.

“Samsung’s ambition is for South Carolina to become our U.S. hub for every stage in the home appliance lifecycle,” said Dochul Choi, Samsung’s Electronic America senior vice president of research and development.

Choi said that includes “from concept and R&D to manufacturing, quality assurance, distribution and customer care.”

The venture is detailed in a report by The Greenville News.

$380 Million Manufacturing Investment

 

The partnership comes as Samsung prepares to start producing washers next year at its plant in Newberry, SC.  The company says that the facility – a $380 million investment – should have 1,000 employees by 2020.

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Selling South Carolina Abroad

Ever wonder how the State of South Carolina sells itself overseas?

SC Connect took a look at the state Department of Agriculture’s efforts at the ANUGA trade show in Cologne recently. Jack Shuler and Clint Leach of the agriculture department spent hours meeting with companies and extolling the virtues of the state. They were in the midst of nearly 100,000  businessmen during the five-day event.

How’s SC Doing?

How’d they do? You can decide for yourself. Take a look at our article, “Growing SC Agribusiness is a Worldwide Endeavor,” in the Winter edition of SCBiz Magazine. Here’s a taste;

South Carolina agriculture representatives contended with more than 100,000 other businessmen to press the case for SC agribusiness this month in Cologne at one of the world’s largest food and beverage trade shows.

“We’re just trying to get people to know South Carolina, get them to know what we have to offer,” said Jack Shuler, director of agribusiness development at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Perched on a stool beside him at one of the 7,200 different display booths sat Clint Leach, assistant state agriculture commissioner. South Carolina’s not generally a high-profile state, Shuler said, “but this time they know us.”

To read the entire article, go to page 36 here, in the Winter 2017 issue of SCBiz magazine.

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Belgium Launches “Impact Bond” to Private Investors for Developing Countries

Belgium promoted this week a new Humanitarian Impact Bond that the nation has been developing in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

As reported by Euractiv.com,  private investors will invest in three new physical rehabilitation centers to be built in Africa over five years. The private investments are intended to encourage efficiency and good management, so that projects will be sustainable over time. If the developments meet all their management targets, investors could receive a 7% return on their capital. If they do not reach the targets, investors will receive 70% back, including a 10% penalty paid by the ICRC.

“This is the first time in the humanitarian world that we have built a system where we say we want to pay for the results that we get,” said Alexander De Croo, Belgium’s Minister for Development Cooperation.

Croo said that “important not to create an environment in which profits go to private companies, and losses are borne by the public sector,” reported Euractiv.com.

For the full report, click here.

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$15 Billion Order for SC-Made Boeing 787-10s

Emirates Airlines announced recently that it will buy 40 new Boeing 787-10 airplanes. Built exclusively at Boeing’s plant in Charleston, SC, the planes are valued at more than $15 billion.

The order, reported at AviationDaily online  and the Post and Courier newspaper in Charleston, comes four years after Emirates cancelled an order for 70 Airbus A350s and began a new decision process.

“The Emirates deal brings the total order book for the 787-10 to 217 airplanes,” the Post and Courier reports. “Emirates also is the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator, with 165 in service.”

Photo provided by Boeing

 

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Record Business at Port of Charleston

South Carolina’s Port of Charleston continues record-setting growth in 2017, according to a story this week in the Post and Courier newspaper of Charleston.

Ports Authority CEO Jim Newsome predicts continued growth into the new year, driven in part by Samsung, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. All have plants coming online next year.

Charleston’s closest competitor, the Port of Savannah in Georgia, is also growing. Officials there credit the recent widening of the Panama Canal for their continued success.