Collaboration: The Path to the Factory of the Future

Industrial manufacturing is a collaborative effort from strategy to production. Materialise brings years of in‑house expertise and a proven track record of partnering with customers to deliver complex projects.

In February 2019, industry bodies Agoria and Sirris honored Materialise as a Factory of the Future. The accolade required us to demonstrate mastery of seven pivotal transformations, from smart, networked production systems to human‑centered workflows and comprehensive environmental stewardship.

Companies that are named Factories of the Future proved that they accomplished these seven transformations.

While our progress in each domain is commendable, the single catalyst that enabled these breakthroughs is collaboration. Even the most cutting‑edge technology fails without teamwork, which is why Materialise places co‑creation at the core of our solutions.

Co‑creation vs. collaboration

Successful partnerships hinge on clear role definition. At Materialise, we differentiate collaboration from co‑creation. While collaboration ensures customers reach their objectives, co‑creation pushes boundaries and tackles emerging challenges.

Materialise Innovation Manager Sven Hermans explains the distinction well: “Co‑creation is more than working together, it's about solving problems. And that only happens when you have a common goal, a common challenge. Whether you're looking to optimize a process or to develop a product, co‑creation is an approach to doing it better.”

We combine our 3D printing expertise with our customers’ industry know‑how during co‑creation.

With more than three decades of additive manufacturing experience, Materialise spearheads co‑creation initiatives. By blending our 3D printing expertise with clients’ industry insights, we unlock solutions that would otherwise remain unattainable.

Complex problems rarely have simple fixes; they demand forward‑looking, long‑term strategies. In such cases, Materialise extends beyond standard support.

A new “ware” for your business toolkit

Digital factories rely on both software and hardware, yet many organisations lack the know‑how to maximize these assets. Mindware, Materialise’s advisory service, bridges that gap by infusing strategic 3D printing expertise into your innovation stack.

Last year’s survey found that 41% of manufacturers view a lack of expertise as a key barrier to integrating 3D printing. Sven Hermans stresses that determining whether additive manufacturing truly adds value is essential, rather than relying on hopeful speculation.

Mindware delivers impartial, strategic guidance to reduce uncertainty and risk when adopting AM. Whether you need workflow‑optimising software, scaling advice, or a partner to realise a bold design, Mindware brings clarity to your objectives and builds a high‑value, low‑risk roadmap.

Whether you’re looking to optimize a process or to develop a product, co‑creation is an approach to doing it better.”
- Sven Hermans, Innovation Manager, Materialise

Materialise’s experts collaborate closely with technical staff and C‑level leaders, ensuring every challenge is fully understood and addressed with adaptable, long‑term solutions. “Mindware acts as the glue …” Sven explains.

Collaboration and co‑creation are ingrained in Materialise’s culture and in Mindware’s approach. By deeply understanding a company’s needs, we craft a bespoke AM roadmap that guides the entire journey.

Symbiotic, long‑term relationships

Materialise’s co‑creation model is partnership‑centric, supporting customers toward any goal, regardless of timeline. Mindware transforms these collaborations into organic, mutually beneficial long‑term relationships.

The path to AM adoption is never solitary. We design custom trajectories, supporting clients until objectives are met and they understand what to expect from Materialise afterward—through workshops, consultations, or iterative prototyping. Our own production experience continually refines our services and technology.

Factories of the Future — together

Companies are increasingly embracing additive manufacturing, especially as global crises such as COVID‑19 exposed the limits of traditional systems and underscored the value of digital production for future‑proofing.

Three decades of in‑house machine, material, and design expertise have taught us how to make AM efficient, reliable, meaningful, and scalable. We have built a fully networked, smart digital factory that constitutes a true manufacturing ecosystem.

Materialise leads by example. A human‑centered ethos and relentless collaboration—both internally and with clients—drive us to harness a suite of software tools that streamline 3D printing, enabling companies to meet the highest standards across demanding industries.

Achieving Factory‑of‑the‑Future status is not a finish line; it signals an ongoing responsibility to innovate and deliver transformative solutions that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world.

We invite you to join us on this journey. By collaborating, we can push the boundaries of innovation and turn the impossible into reality.