Annual report of 2024, the year of surprising progress

Innovating against the tide? 

2024 was a year of surprising progress: in technology, in collaboration, in vision. Many were bracing themselves for a slowdown in the pace of innovation due to economic uncertainties and geopolitical pressures, but in fact we saw the opposite happening. Organisations throughout Belgium, often new players and clients invested heavily in new technologies and processes. At Sirris, we were ready. As an innovation partner that listens, connects and supports progress, we grew along with these organisations with new initiatives, stronger networks and a real impact on the ground. 
 

Listening to the industry 

Our role as a collective innovation centre was stronger than ever. We breathed new life into our Strategic Committee in order to take a deep dive into the key technological challenges of today and tomorrow together with industry representatives, focusing on urgent themes such as generative AI and the energy transition. Each session brought industrial experts, technology partners and strategic thinkers together round the table. This approach with broad consultation, in-depth dialogue and direct input from on the ground makes a difference. The outcome was not a non-binding reflection, but the practical incorporation of findings into our Sirris portfolio and our action plan, laying the foundations for the future. 
 

Bringing innovation closer to home 

We also had an impact locally. In 2024, we opened new hubs in Genk, Kortrijk and Charleroi. Each of these is embedded in local ecosystems and has a clear mission: to make innovation tangible. With our 4.0 demonstrators, we give businesses a concrete and accessible insight into what technological transformation looks like in practice. And it works: businesses see not just what is possible, but how it works in their actual situation. This rooted approach reduces the impediments to change, accelerates decisions and makes Sirris even more pivotal to industrial innovation. 
 

Combining knowledge in order to increase the pace 

We continued to grow internally as a team by recruiting new experts. But our unique approach is more important than our headcount: we bring together specialists in their field and technology experts to form effective duos who develop innovative solutions together. Sometimes this is done internally, and sometimes in collaboration with external knowledge partners and universities. 
This flexible, multidisciplinary effectiveness means we can tackle challenges that don’t have a ready-made answer, but require a collective solution. 
 

And now? Forward. 

In 2025, we will pursue this path further, with more talent, extra infrastructure and even more partnerships. At the same time, we will continue to build on an ambitious master plan that focuses on the future of both products and production environments, from smart products to smart factories. We are turning insights from industry into hands-on actions with a horizon of 2050. By doing so, Sirris remains the binding force behind industrial innovation.