INDUSRUPTIV

In this episode of INDUSRUPTIV, recorded live at INDUMATION 2026, we sit down with Matthijs Degryse, co-founder of GUUMP, a true generalist with a sharp perspective on technology, sales, and innovation in industry.

From ERP systems to AI agents, and from proof-of-concepts to real-world implementations, this episode breaks down where companies are truly getting stuck today. The real challenge isn’t technology, but people, processes, and change.

We dive into:

• Why digitalization often stalls after the first testing phase
• The rise of agentic AI and what it means for businesses
• The tension between top-down vision and bottom-up innovation
• How organizations can actually drive change
• And why curiosity might be the most important skill of all

No buzzwords. No hype. Just an honest look at the reality of SMEs in manufacturing, with practical insights and relatable challenges.

In this episode, recorded live during INDUMATION 2026⁠, we sit down with Thierry Van Eeckhout, a seasoned insider at Siemens.

We explore the transformation of a traditional industrial player into a technology-driven ecosystem where hardware, software, and AI seamlessly come together. From PLCs to digital twins, and from data to autonomous production, this episode offers a clear and honest view of where the industry truly stands today.

Expect concrete insights into how companies are tackling digitalization, why “automate smarter” is more important than ever, and how technology is already delivering tangible impact today.

Podcast powered by SIEMENS

In this episode of the Indusruptive, recorded live at INDUMATION 2026, one key question takes center stage: what actually works in industrial robotics today?

Together with Philip Teupens (General Manager at Fanuc Benelux), we cut through the buzz around AI and automation to focus on real-world applications, measurable results, and realistic expectations.

From robot density in the Benelux to the impact of AI and machine vision, this episode delivers a clear perspective on where the industry stands today and where the biggest opportunities lie.

Connect with Filip Tuypens

In this episode of the Interruptive podcast, recorded during INDUMATION , we speak with China expert and author Pascal Coppens about his latest book China's Next Miracle.

“If you are interested in AI, you should be interested in China.”

What does China’s rapid technological evolution mean for industry, AI, and the global economy? And why do many Western companies still look at what is happening there through the wrong lens?

During the conversation, Pascal paints a sharp picture of a country that not only remains the factory of the world, but is simultaneously transforming into a knowledge driven economy. From open source AI models gaining global traction to the unprecedented robotization of factories and the rise of so called “dark factories”. China does not treat technology as hype, but as a driver of productivity, efficiency, and economic power.

The podcast also touches on themes such as the geopolitical shift between the US, China, and India, the battle for semiconductors, and the growing role of AI in industry.

boek: "China's Next Miracle"

Recorded live at Indumation 2026, this session explores one of the most critical topics in the Belgian industrial landscape: OT cybersecurity.

While many organizations are focused on NIS2 compliance, industrial frontrunners are already looking beyond. What does that mean in practice for production environments? Which risks truly matter today? And how do you make strategic decisions in a world shaped by legacy systems, IT-OT convergence, and evolving threats?

A sharp and pragmatic debate featuring experts from technology, integration, and industry, enriched with real-world insights from the manufacturing floor.

Speakers:

• Lars-Peter Hansen | Global Head of Horizontal Cybersecurity - Siemens Digital Industries
• Dharminder Debisarun | Smart Industries Cybersecurity Executive - Palo Alto Networks
• Bruno Simoens | Project Lead Infrastructure / Infrastructure Network Architect (IT & OT) - Unilin
• Erik De Nert | Head of OT (Agoria CMIB Steerco member) - Spotit

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Boute, Full Professor at Vlerick Business School and KU Leuven, to cut through the noise around digital transformation in industry. Together, we explore what digital technologies actually deliver on the shop floor, how data-driven operations improve decision making, and why the future is not about replacing people, but about augmenting human expertise with better data and smarter systems. No hype, no buzzwords, just practical insight into how digitalization really works.

In this episode

• Why Industry 4.0 and 5.0 are less about labels and more about connecting data and breaking down operational silos
• How real-time data enables smarter operational and maintenance decisions without fully automating human judgment
• The role of digital technologies in augmenting human labor instead of replacing it
• Why companies should start small, run pilots, and learn fast instead of waiting for “perfect” technol

What happens when premium sound and digital transformation meet on the shop floor? In this episode, recorded live at ABISS in Kortrijk Xpo, we sit down with Dieter Van de Velde and Stijn Van Uytfanghe from Premium Sound Solutions. Together, we explore the reality of IT and OT collaboration, digital strategy in operations, and how technology truly creates value in a global manufacturing environment.

In this episode

• How Premium Sound Solutions aligns IT and OT to scale globally
• From SAP and MES to shopfloor applications: a look at their digital roadmap
• Why digital transformation starts with collaboration, not technology
• Real-world examples of digitalization that improve quality, efficiency, and workload reduction

Recorded live at ABISS in Kortrijk Xpo

Connect with Dieter Van de Velde and Stijn Van Uytfanghe

In this episode, we sat down with Guiseppe La Mantia, head of Purchasing & Supply Chain at Safran Blades, to uncover how they built a cutting-edge factory from scratch in Belgium—where digitalization, robotics, and smart processes aren’t just buzzwords, they’re daily reality.

In this episode:

• The journey of creating a factory capable of producing 400,000 aircraft blades a year, starting entirely from scratch.
• A deep dive into the precision manufacturing process, from titanium forging to high-accuracy machining and special treatments.
• How Industry 4.0 comes to life at Safran Blades: digitalization, robotics, sensor integration, and real-time data management.
• Key takeaways for companies embracing digital transformation: stay agile, manage risks, and don’t be afraid to fail.

Recorded live at ABISS in Kortrijk Xpo

Connect with Guiseppe La Mantia

We spoke with Johan van Kampenhout, Freelance Project Manager OT & Automation at Advario, about how a tank terminal with roots in the 1970s stays futureproof in a world of evolving cyber risks. From detecting silent vulnerabilities to balancing legacy infrastructure with modern security requirements.

In this episode:

• How Advario turns complex OT-legislation into a practical, long-term cybersecurity roadmap.

• Why “detecting the canary in the coal mine” is crucial for spotting forgotten or invisible OT systems.

• How access control, secure logins, and vendor-neutral setups reduce vulnerabilities in an environment with aging assets.

• Why continuous reassessment is essential

• The increasing responsibility of plant and terminal managers as cybersecurity legislation tightens.

Recorded live at ABISS in Kortrijk Xpo

Connect with Johan van Kampenhout

- https://cyfun.eu/en

We spoke with Jan Van Nylen, Head of Operational Excellence at ZF Wind Power, about how the company uses data and digitalization to transform its production processes. From efficiency gains and sustainability improvements to smarter decision-making on the factory floor.

In this episode:

• How ZF Wind Power optimizes gearbox production for wind turbines using real-time data.
• Why combining heat treatment and gear grinding insights leads to cost reduction and quality gains.
• How operators and digital tools collaborate through a feedback-driven “digital co-pilot.”
• How data-driven assembly decisions improve product strength and cut overdesign costs.
• What the future holds: predictive quality control, deeper automation, and new service-based business models.

Recorded live at⁠ ABISS in Kortrijk Xpo⁠

⁠Connect with Jan Van Nylen