With its sights set on the Nordic countries, Synthetis Metals reveals the secrets of its success with the giants of the steel industry.

For many years now, the Belgian SME Synthetis Metals has been persuading the world’s steel giants to entrust it with the task of modernising their production plants as they look towards the fourth industrial revolution. Although not a household name in Belgium, the company, which is based in the Louvain-la-Neuve science park, specialises in industrial IT – an area in which it has globally recognised expertise. Major players in the food and industrial sectors, including Lactalis, Fleury Michon, LVMH, Mondelez, Unilever, NLMK and ArcelorMittal, have called on Synthetis’ services to help them develop the factory of the future.

Its subsidiary, Synthetis Metals, specialises in logistics for the steel industry. By installing and adapting Fluxx software on site, it helps customers save up to tens of thousands of euros per minute by avoiding unplanned production stoppages.

Fluxx software is designed to modernise inventory management, locate products in real time and train operators in the movements required to feed lines and dispatch products.

This means that customers can avoid production stoppages,  dispatch goods more quickly and reliably, and respond more efficiently to unforeseen events in the field.

Group CEO Antoine Vekemans shares the keys to their success with steel giants such as Baosteel, Taylor Steel and ArcelorMittal.

Was it one of your goals to have a presence in China?

Not at all! We thought our technology wouldn’t interest anyone in a country where labour is so cheap. But when you get the opportunity to work with a Chinese giant like Baosteel, you have to grab it with both hands. It can be a bumpy road as an SME dealing with a large group 12,500 miles away. However, when Schneider Electric, who we’d already worked with, approached us about it, we were confident and ready to embark on this adventure.

Since then, we’ve also been working on projects for China’s second-largest steel firm, Ansteel.

Was it a case of being in the right place at the right time?

Exactly! Baosteel was eager to bring its factories in line with the “Made in China 2025” strategic programme that President Xi Jinping had launched in 2015 to make Chinese industry competitive for the future.

Around 10 years ago, we proposed a joint project at ArcelorMittal in Liège. Schneider supplied the eyes and legs to automate the overhead cranes, and we supplied the robot’s brain so it could make the right decisions and distribute orders optimally and in real time. Over the years, we’ve become trusted partners and have demonstrated our ability to add significant value. This experience has enabled us to build a solid partnership together, and Schneider’s teams now travel to China to implement our projects.

What advice would you give to exporters from Wallonia who are looking to enter the global market?

Choose your partners carefully, and make sure that your organisational and financial structure is sufficiently robust before you start. Be open and always bear cultural differences in mind. For me, the contract is just one stage in the process – building and maintaining a high-quality relationship is far more important.

Will Synthetis Metals continue to have an international focus in the future?

Yes, of course. We travel around the world a lot, but recently our opportunities have been closer to home. Several projects seem to be taking shape in the Nordic countries, which are turning to Wallonia for expertise. As far back as the 17th century, Sweden called on the know-how of Wallonian metalworkers. At the time, Wallonia was the iron and steel capital of Europe, and these workers had all the technological skills required to produce higher-quality iron. We hope to add another link to this historical chain!

The European Union has launched its “Industry 5.0” programme that puts people at the heart of production processes. What do you think of this programme at Synthetis?

We think it’s a very positive move! It’s perfectly in line with our company’s vision: “A more human and more efficient industry”.

We don’t advocate systematic automation. Our software is designed to be used by operators on the ground. It’s essential that they can concentrate on what they have to do and interact with the machines, while at the same time adding that little extra human touch that IT just can’t replicate: common sense!

One final question. Your company is evolving thanks to the needs of major industrial companies that are looking to transition to the “factory of the future”. How do you see industry in Wallonia today?

If you look at the steel sector, you’d think the industry was ageing. But this isn’t the case. In Liège, for example, finished steel production is still a major industry, and it’s thanks to IT that it’s still at the cutting edge.

There’s always this public debate around the idea that intelligent machines are going to replace human beings and put people out of work. But the industry needs to evolve. If we don’t let it, companies will move elsewhere, and take all the jobs with them! What causes concern is that our job roles also need to evolve to provide more added value. This will require adequate preparation and specific training.

However, if service companies are to flourish, it’s essential that Wallonia still has an industrial base. We need industry to develop our solutions, and the closer they are, the easier it is.

But I’m confident about the future! Wallonia has a long industrial tradition, particularly in the steel industry, and our expertise and know-how are widely known and respected.

Walloon companies like Synthetis Metals are at the cutting edge of innovation as they integrate advanced technologies to modernise production processes. In addition, the region has a strong support network for businesses, including academic institutions, research centres and government initiatives, to encourage innovation and industrial growth.

These strengths keep industry in Wallonia competitive and mean we continue to attract international investment and partnerships.

Find out more about Synthetis Metals logistics solutions – https://synthetis.com/en/fluxx/