Awarded by the Belgian technology federations, Agoria and Sirris, the Factory of the Future Award recognises companies that demonstrate commitment to digitalisation, talent development, smart processes, sustainable products and world-class production. In particular, the judges highlighted the progress Daikin has made in implementing high end digital solutions and innovative forward-looking technology in its production processes.
Winners are allowed to hold the Factory of the Future title for three years, after which a new audit and assessment determines whether this will be renewed. Daikin Ostend first received the honour in 2017 and, having excelled at each subsequent milestone. This latest assessment reinstates the title and will carry the business through to 12 consecutive years as an official Factory of the Future.
The award comes as the UK heat pump market is scaling rapidly to support national decarbonisation targets, so access to well-designed solutions, backed by reliable European supply chains will be essential in this effort.
Steve Molloy, sustainability & commercial solutions manager at Daikin UK, said: “For the UK market, this Factory of the Future accolade demonstrates that the products UK installers and specifiers rely on are being produced in a facility that is setting the benchmark for quality, consistency and sustainability.
“As demand for heat pumps accelerates in line with the UK’s net zero ambitions, this level of advanced manufacturing helps ensure reliable product availability, rigorous quality control and continuous innovation, giving our partners confidence that Daikin solutions are built to perform today and long into the future.”
For UK installers, consultants and specifiers, the Factory of the Future mark provides confidence that Daikin products supplied to the UK are manufactured to the highest standards. Advanced digital testing, automated quality checks and continuous improvement processes help ensure consistent performance, reduced commissioning issues and long-term reliability on site.
What’s more, as building owners and developers increasingly prioritise low-carbon solutions, this award also highlights Daikin’s ability to scale production responsibly while supporting the UK’s transition to high-efficiency heat pump systems.
Key developments implemented in the three years since the Ostend factory’s last assessment include improvements to the newest heat pump production lines, which are now equipped with advanced cameras and testing systems to perform rigorous quality checks, while the parts are supplied by AMR’s (Autonomous Mobile Robots).
Another highlight is the new hybrid painting line, which has a furnace that can switch from 100% gas to 100% electricity. As part of Daikin Ostend’s ongoing transition to become a net-zero factory, this provides great flexibility and makes the line future-proof, ensuring production can continue reliably even when facing energy supply volatility.