Factory of the Future Awards 2026: New award winners show industrial maturity

Two new Factory of the Future winners in tech

• Locinox

Growth built on engineering and automation 

Locinox Locinox has been developing and manufacturing innovative gate technology for more than 30 years. The company is a European market leader, with strong growth driven by clear strategic choices. Integrated engineering, modular designs and intensive automation are the backbone of their growth.  

Locinox products are part of everyday life. They secure tennis courts in Belgium, theme parks in the United States and iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower. This scale requires delivery reliability and flexibility.

Their product range evolved from mechanical solutions to hydraulic gate closers, access control and motorisation for pedestrian gates such as Magnus and Venus. At the same time, Locinox is innovating in logistics and production.  

The greenfield site Locinox 4.0 combines digital production with highly automated logistics. A fully automated warehouse with 80,000 boxes feeds assembly and packaging. Linking CRM, ERP and WMS enables the company to track orders in real time. They have a clear promise: shipping within 24 hours, without any customer stock.  

Sustainability is structurally embedded. Since 2023, Locinox has been preparing for CSRD through a double materiality assessment, with the use of solar panels, geothermal energy, water buffering and green fleet infrastructure making the site energy-independent.

• Thales Alenia Space in Belgium

Flawless quality as the absolute standard

Thales Alenia Space in Belgium develops, manufactures and tests electronic equipment for satellites and launchers. Today, more than 300 satellites orbit with Belgian technology on board: every Ariane 6 rocket contains 11 to 17 electronic systems made in Charleroi. 

There is no after-sales service in space: the margin of error is zero. This reality drives every decision, from design to testing.  

Quality is already a priority in the design phase. Products are developed with attention to production and testing requirements even before the first prototypes. This approach is deeply embedded in the engineering culture.  

During production and assembly, targeted quality controls monitor every step. Automation and digitisation of production and test data ensure reproducibility and full traceability. Advanced manufacturing and testing constantly reinforce each other. 

Collaboration is the third pillar. Through intensive co-development, Thales Alenia Space is building a network-oriented design and manufacturing environment that accelerates innovation.

Reassessments confirm ongoing commitment

Factory of the Future doesn’t stop with an initial label. Reassessments show how companies are deepening their transformation and continuing to invest.

Daikin Europe achieved a fourth FoF label. The company remains committed to digitisation, automation and continuous improvement within a highly competitive international market. 

Valeo Vision Belgium, a world leader in automotive lighting, renewed its label for the fourth time. Its focus is on new technology, carbon neutrality through Valeo CAP 50, digitisation, smart manufacturing and a people-centric organisation.  

Terumo Europe’s production site in Heverlee renewed its label. The site continues to invest in craftsmanship, robust processes and reliable technology. The goal remains unchanged: high-quality solutions for patients and healthcare providers.

Altachem gained a second FoF label. The company is strengthening its growth path by focusing even more on sustainability, well-being, cyber security and further digitisation.  

Alstom Belgium was awarded the label for the third time for its Charleroi site. The renewed certification confirms its commitment to industrial excellence, digitisation, collaboration and a people-centric organisation.  

Together, these companies show that Factory of the Future is not an end point, but a trajectory of continuous progress.

Make the Future: structure behind success  

Behind every Factory of the Future is a structured approach to innovation. Agoria and Sirris’ Make the Future programme provides a clear framework for industrial transformation.  

The methodology relies on seven interrelated transformations that guide choices, investments and actions.  

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The periodic assessment is more than an audit: companies gain insight into their maturity, strengths and areas where growth is needed. Reassessments remain valuable even after the label has been awarded more than a few times. For organisations without any direct FoF ambition, the transformations still offer guidance with a view to making structured progress.

A community in motion  

The Factory of the Future Awards bring together more than individual successes. They show a growing community of manufacturing companies investing in technology, people and organisation.  

New award winners add vitality to the field, while reassessments ensure depth and maturity. For Agoria, Sirris and its partners, this underlines the importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing.  

Summary  

Two new tech award winners and several recertifications confirm that Factory of the Future is an ongoing ambition. Locinox and Thales Alenia Space show how vision, technology and organisation can converge. Reassessments demonstrate that sustained engagement makes the difference.

Conclusion

The tech sector remains a driving force within Factory of the Future. New winners are making innovation a reality, while existing winners continue to develop and deepen their approach. In this way, we are sustaining and growing an ecosystem that combines industrial maturity and future value.

Inspired by the winners? Discover how they are transforming their companies during the Factory of the Future Roadshows. Explore best practices and gain insights directly from the winners themselves. View the agenda.

Or would you like to know how your manufacturing organisation can progress towards becoming a Factory of the Future? The experts at Agoia-Sirris are happy to think along with you and support you at every step of your transformation. More information: www.makethefuture.be