Competitors line up to take over old Ford Genk site
One of the parties interested in developing the former Ford factory in Genk is investment agency LRM, which wants to build co-operative production facilities
“Factory of the future”
The plan involves converting the site into a modern business campus covering between 25 and 40 hectares and housing dozens of businesses that would share infrastructure and machinery. The idea builds on notions of “the factory of the future”, including smart robots digitally interconnected to monitor and optimise production processes, allowing production to cater to the exact needs of the customer.
Companies making up the campus would rent production capacity, without the need for major investment in buildings and machinery. “As it is now, if companies want to increase their production, they need environmental and building permits,” said Stijn Bijnens of LRM. “With this concept, you have your new factory within a week.”
The plan counts 30 jobs per hectare, adding up to a potential total of 1,200. The final decision on what is to happen with the site has to be taken by the government of Flanders, and LRM is not the only candidate. Others include construction company Machiels, property company Intervest and logistics company H Essers.
Photo: Yorick Jansens/BELGA
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