Mockel - High Precision Mechanics is the first company in the field of machining mechanics for precision components to receive the "Factory of the Future" label
Eupen, 8 February 2024 – The renowned company Mockel – High Precision Mechanics, based in the East Belgium Park industrial estate, was recently awarded the coveted “Factory of the Future” (FOF) certification. The award, which has been presented by AGORIA and the SIRRIS centre since 2010, marks a significant milestone in Mockel’s history.
Mockel offers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities for various industries, including aerospace, defence, mechanical engineering, energy technologies, medical technology, motorsport and e-mobility.
What does “Factory of the Future” mean?
A factory of the future is the vision of a future-orientated production company based on the use of the most advanced digital technologies to establish intelligent and sustainable processes. The aim is to make creative and optimised use of available materials and energy, while innovative business models based on employee responsibility take centre stage. Products from such factories are often characterised by high added value and respond flexibly to the increasingly specific needs of customers.
Faced with the challenges of high costs and global competition, a paradigm shift in production activities is essential to ensure a sustainable future for manufacturing companies.
With the path to the award, Agoria and Sirris have developed a pioneering vision that enables companies to make this change and realise such a forward-looking perspective. This vision is expressed in the “Made Different” methodology, which encourages organisations to evolve through seven transformation pillars on which FOF is based, and through its efforts, Mockel has achieved a remarkable level of maturity in all seven transformation areas. The “Factory of the Future” award recognises Mockel’s commitment and innovative spirit in all seven pillars. Strong arguments were put forward in line with the company’s priorities, which contributed to this well-deserved recognition.
“The certification is first and foremost a reward for the expertise of our teams. The average age of our teams is just 34 years! The average length of service is 15 years. We have them to thank for this certification. Their professionalism and expertise are at the heart of our success. To be a company at the forefront of technology, we must constantly invest in people, but also in high-performance machinery. The latest investments amount to around 2 million euros”.
It is an integral part of Mockel’s DNA to support its customers during the design and development of customised products. The company has continuously invested in a co-engineering office known for its excellence and expertise. This partnership approach allows valuable time to be gained once the manufacturing phase begins. This approach also helps to reduce material costs while significantly minimising the environmental impact. From an environmental and sustainability perspective, Mockel is positioning itself as a pioneer of the “Factory of the Future” by implementing an ambitious green plan. The company carries out comprehensive waste separation and analyses the life cycle of its products. In addition, Mockel has introduced an internal mobility plan that promotes the use of electric cars and bicycles. The installation of photovoltaic systems and the switch to LED lighting contribute to reducing the ecological footprint. Most recently, the company was awarded ISO 14001 certification in recognition of its commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. Mockel’s workshop is also almost completely digitalised to maximise efficiency and precision.
“To come back to the Mockel DNA: We are all driven by the continuous improvement of our processes and products. Our aim is to always be one step ahead. It must be said that we are fortunate to be able to count on the trust of the shareholder who accompanies us in our projects. The certification we have just received is a perfect example of this. The entire team has put an incredible amount of energy into this project. This shows the German mentality of never being satisfied with the minimum. The Factory of the Future certification shows that we are heading in the right direction here and now, but also in the years to come, and in all extremely demanding areas”.