invest in west flanders 1 · through its high proportion of primary producers, especially in pig...

INVEST IN WEST FLANDERS 1

INVEST IN WEST FLANDERS 32 INVEST IN WEST FLANDERS

West Flanders in the entrepreneurial heart of Europe — p. 4

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West Flanders infrastructure map — p. 6

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THE FOOD CLUSTER — p. 8

Supporting companies today for the economy of tomorrow—

THE FOOD CLUSTER

1 THE WEST FLANDERS AGRI-FOOD COMPLEX — p. 10

2 FAMILY CHARACTER IN A GLOBAL COMPETITIVE MARKET — p. 14

3 SERVING THE COMPLETE FOOD CHAIN — p. 18

4 IDENTIFYING, ENCOURAGING AND FACILITATING INNOVATION — p. 20

5 HUMAN CAPITAL: THE KEY TO A FUTURE-ORIENTED SECTOR — p. 24

6 FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR 2025 — p. 26

CONTENTS


ATLANTIC OCEAN

ATLANTIC OCEAN

NORTH SEABALTIC

SEA

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

BLACK SEA

Frankfurt500 km

Prague1.000 km

Copenhagen980 km

Helsinki2.100 km

Paris295 km

Rome1.588 km

Amsterdam270 km

Oslo1.436 km

Warsaw1.400 km

Madrid1.570 km

Stockholm1.630 km

Bern770 km

Vienna1.210 km

Berlin835 km

Dublin880 km

Lisbon2.030 km

London300 km

Barcelona1.327 km

St-Petersburg2.497 km

Istanbul2.795 km

Milan1.008 km

Edinburgh930km

Brussels

Bilbao1.206 km

Located in the logistics heart of Europe and as Belgium’s coastal region, West Flanders is an optimal breeding ground for business.

An extensive, congestion-free and versatile network of motorways, railways and waterways provides the local industries and distribution direct and fl exible access to the most important European consumption and production centres.

WEST FLANDERS

IN THE

ENTREPRENEURIAL

HEART OF EUROPE


E17

E17

E34

A25

A25

OSTEND

BRUGES

YPRES

PORT OF ZEEBRUGGE

PORT OF OSTEND

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

OSTEND-BRUGES

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

KORTRIJK-WEVELGEM

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT CENTRE LAR

LOCATIONNorthwest Belgium

•CAPITALBruges

• SURFACE AREA3.144 km² (Belgium = 30.528 km²)

•GEOGRAPHYCoastal province, 67 km of coastline

C A L A I S

D U N K I R K

B R U S S E L S

R U H R R EG I O N

A N T W E R P

PA R I SL I L L E

B L U E E N E R G Y

I N L A N D T E R M I N A L

S E A P O R T

A I R P O R T

I N L A N D T E R M I N A L

R A I LWAY

WAT E R WAY

M O T O R WAY

T HE NE T HER L A ND S

P R O V IN CE O F

E A S T F L A NDE R S

P R O V IN CE O F H A IN A U T

F R A N CE

T HE N O R T H SE AWEST FLANDERS

INFRASTRUCTURE

MAP


In order to give businesses in West Flanders every possibility to grow regionally and internationally via innovation, the Province of West Flanders established cluster partnerships to proactively prepare its industries for the future. From practical services to promotion, research, training and infrastructure: the cluster partnerships aim to create an optimal breeding ground for a future-oriented economy.

The partnerships help companies in West Flanders to successfully do business in a continuously changing world. This is possible thanks to a combination of knowledge, experience and know-how from different domains working in close collaboration with education, science, industry and local government.

The policy of cluster support means smart specialisation for the economic future of West Flanders. The focus lies on five clusters in which West Flanders excels and with excellent growth potential: food, new materials, mechatronics & machine building, health care and blue energy.

West Flanders supports its food cluster by focusing on innovation, SME support and internationalisation.

THE FOOD CLUSTERSUPPORTING COMPANIES TODAY

FOR THE ECONOMY OF TOMORROW

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THE FOOD CLUSTERTHE WEST FLANDERS

AGRI-FOOD COMPLEX

THE WEST FLANDERS

AGRI-FOOD COMPLEX —

The combination of exceptionally fertile agricultural land with a mild maritime climate makes West-Flanders especially suitable for the growth of several crops, and unique for very specific crops. The province is a leader in the cultivation of potatoes and hops, and the production of pork, among other things. The high concentration of agricultural activities led to an impressive West Flemish agri-food complex with a number of food companies that lead the world. This is certainly the case for frozen vegetables. In addition, local products, including specialty beers and wines, are increasingly popular in global markets; this is further ensured by the quality label ‘100% West Flemish’. The West Flemish agri-food industry is therefore one of the cornerstones of the Flemish economy.

Pork

Within the meat sector, West Flanders distinguishes itself from the other provinces through its high proportion of primary producers, especially in pig farming. In 2013, West Flanders had 2,681 pig farms, accommodating a total of 3,402,961 pigs. In other words, around 55% of all Flemish pigs and pig farms are located in West Flemish territory.

Fishing

The Flemish fishing fleet operates from Zeebrugge, Ostend and the smaller Nieuwpoort port, and comprises around seventy commercial vessels. Plaice, sole and skate constitute the major portion of the various species of landed fish. Through an online sales platform, the fish auction achieves an average annual turnover of 70 million euros. The Flemish fish auction is therefore one of the five largest fish auctions in Europe.

LEADER IN PRIMARY PRODUCTS —

Potato cultivation

West Flanders accounts for as much as 47% of the total Flemish potato production (more than 1 million tonnes in 2011). Furthermore, West Flemish potato growers supply 80% of the total Flemish production of seed potatoes. Belgium thus comes in 17th place worldwide in the list of producers. Thanks to West Flemish potato growers.

“The climate, the fertile soils and experienced farmers make West Flanders

the ideal region for growing potatoes, among other things. Our processed potato

products can use this as a basis to conquer the world. That is our target.”

Dirk Decoster, CEO Agristo


AGRO-INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AREAS

—

Potato processing sector

The eight largest West Flemish potato processing companies constitute a powerful growth area within the agro-industrial complex. They provide employment to more than two thousand permanent employees and 370 temporary workers. In 2012, the companies together processed 1.8 million tonnes of (mainly Belgian) potatoes and thereby achieved an impressive turnover of 1 billion euros.

Frozen food

In the frozen food market operating worldwide from West Flanders, the region around Ardooie is a focal point with a number of global players. The frozen food cluster is also extending further across the province and has acquired an unparalleled global position for itself. Around a quarter of the global exports of frozen vegetables come from Belgium. Of these, West Flanders, the birthplace of this sub-sector, accounts for 90%. If we add the foreign operations of the companies in West Flanders, the province amounts to no less than half of the global frozen food exports. By way of comparison: China comes second with around 17%.

100% West Flemish

The 100% West Flemish label demonstrates that it is not merely large companies that can make a difference. The province also does well in the short chain. The 100% West Flemish label comprises around 180 types of craft beers, chocolates, cheeses, cookies, etc.. and allows consumers to opt for genuine, authentic and high-quality craftsmanship. Through numerous targeted actions, the initiators are also trying to place these farm and regional products on the international map.

Special beers

Belgian beer; popular with us, appreciated worldwide. West Flanders is certainly not lacking. What’s more - with twenty eight mostly small breweries, the province is home to the second largest concentration of breweries in Flanders. The specialty: russet brews and concoctions with mixed fermentation. This agriculturally dominated province accounts for around 95% (approximately 150 hectares) of the Belgian hop area cultivated.

Chocolate

West Flanders is scaling high peaks in the small-scale, artisanal production and sale of chocolate. It has the largest number of stores in Belgium, most of them operating from Bruges. In addition, the Bruges region has been resolutely marching forward over the last five years. Amongst industrial chocolate processors, a number of West Flemish companies are also among the top Belgian chocolate manufacturers.

“France has its own wines and cheeses, Italy has its pastas and pizzas, Germany has its Bratwurst. A Belgian North Sea shrimp croquette or a hearty Flemish stew as international delicacies. That should be possible.”

Herwig Dejonghe, co-founder BE Delicious

“In 2016, we erected our brand new brewery, fully integrated and equipped for the production of all beers, logistics and storage, over an area of 7.5 hectares in Izegem. With this investment, the brewery aims to satisfy the exponentially growing international demand for specialty beers.”

Xavier Van Honzebrouck, managing director Bierkasteel


THE FOOD CLUSTERFAMILY CHARACTER

IN A GLOBAL COMPETITIVE MARKET

FAMILY CHARACTER

IN A GLOBAL COMPETITIVE MARKET —

Given its central location within the heart of Europe, around 60% of the total European purchasing power is located within a radius of 500 kilometres around West Flanders. Key consumer markets in the Netherlands, Germany, France and UK, are all within reach. An extensive network of motorways, railways and waterways ensures easy access to the major European consumption and production centres. Tons of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits quickly find their way to these international markets. These products are primarily obtained from family SMEs. These locally based businesses continuously adapt to the changing environment, look for niche markets and respond to the needs of the customer. It is no surprise that the province accounts for 26% of the businesses and 27% of the employees in the total Flemish food production industry. Food is a big business in West Flanders.

…creating an immense food cluster

• In the West Flemish territory, there are no less than 3.4 million pigs (half of Belgium’s total) and 10.5 million chickens and poultry. These figures, together with the beef, amount to 1.2 million tonnes of meat, of which 93% is destined for international markets.

• Equally impressive figures can be cited for the vegetable and fruit sector: 60,000 tons of leeks, 30,000 tons of every type of vegetable, 20,000 tons of chicory, etc. amounting to 200,000 tonnes annually. Trading in daily fresh perishables of course.

• The frozen cluster annually accounts for almost 3 million tonnes of the traded vegetables and fruit.

• With the North Sea, the coastal province has an extra advantage that sets it apart from the other Flemish provinces. The Flemish fish auction annually sells about 17,000 tonnes of fresh fish to European wholesalers;

• The sales of beer and chocolate as enjoyable export products, are continuously on the rise.

Many small players...

• 851 small and medium-sized familial West Flemish food businesses (98% have less than two hundred employees) account for sixteen thousand jobs;

• The province has 1,664 active self-employed persons in the sector;

• Nineteen thousand farmers and fruit growers work in 9,600 farms. Together, they account for 65% of the Belgian vegetable cultivation in open air (80% if only leek is considered)


Food gate to and from Europe

In order to cater to foreign markets, West Flanders has two deepwater ports, two international airports, and three inland terminals. This infrastructure places West Flanders on the map as an international logistics hub in the domain of food.

The Port of Zeebrugge forms a major international gateway for products such as fresh fruits, juices, vegetables, potatoes, meat, fish and dairy products. The port functions as an official distribution point for Zespri kiwi fruit from New Zealand. Companies respond perfectly to the opportunities that the port offers through a packaging infrastructure for fruit juices and integration of storage capacity for coffee beans, among other things. The port also plays a key role in the marketing of fish, thanks to the Flemish fish auction and the availability of cold storage facilities.

The REO Veiling (Agricultural Auction Market) in Roeselare aggregates around 2,900 members and 1,200 suppliers in the heart of the province. Each year, it sells more than two hundred thousand tonnes of fruits and vegetables in the European fresh produce market; this represents around forty million packages. The auction developed into an ambassador in the development and profiling of West Flemish regional identity. A shuttle service directly links the auction to the Fresh Park in Venlo. This not only makes transport cheaper but also more efficient and sustainable.

The international Bruges-Ostend airport profiles itself as a Fresh Cargo Hub, thanks to the presence of warehouses with cooling and refrigerating facilities distributed over 10,500 m2, and the brisk trading operations on the ground. This cargo infrastructure is ideally suited for the marketing of perishable food products such as fish, vegetables and fresh fruit. Fully equipped stables for livestock and related veterinary inspections are also offered.

“The port of Zeebrugge includes an extensive food logistics centre. It has around

900,000 m2 of temperature controlled storage space, apart from an integrated

inspection point for perishable products. In addition, all the necessary service providers

are also present.

Joachim Coens, CEO, Port of Zeebrugge

“Due to its large assortment, its unique location and a high level of availability, the REO Veiling serves as an international hub for horticultural products.”

Paul Demyttenaere, Managing Director, REO Veiling

The West Flanders factor• With Alpro, West Flanders is

home to the largest soya bean factory of Europe;

• Belgomilk - Langemark has an astonishing record to its name. It is the largest mozzarella factory in Europe;

• Westvlees and Volys Star are big players in the processing of pork and poultry;

• Snack Food Poco Loco is the European number one in Tex-Mex (tortilla chips, etc.)

• Mulder Natural Food is one of the European market leaders in the production of private label breakfast cereals;

• The family business Soubry is one of Europe’s largest pasta producers;

• Cargill and Vandemoortele lead in the processing of vegetable oils

Reefer cargo. The efficient transportation of temperature-sensitive products via refrigerated transport in West Flanders has developed in a major way. Through the River Terminal Wielsbeke (RTW) and the rail freight corridor Zeebrugge – Milan, reefer transport is gaining in importance, especially for the frozen potato products and vegetables trade.


THE FOOD CLUSTERSERVING

THE COMPLETE FOOD CHAIN

SERVING

THE COMPLETE

FOOD CHAIN—

The fact that even calling it the ‘Vegetable Garden of Europe’ fails to do justice to the wide range of produce handled demonstrates the variety and diversity of the West Flemish food industry. This is an industry with sufficient advantages to continue growing with the same momentum in the future as well. At the same time, it is an industry that faces challenges in sustainable growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns, and employment.

With the House of Food as a foundation, the cluster partnership encourages enterprises to redefine borders and to take up challenges. Built in the old bottling plant of the Rodenbach brewery, right in the Roeselare canal zone, the House of Food is located in the heart of the food industry.

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The Joblabo of the House of Food stimulates interest amongst the general public in food and in employment in the food industry. Visitors are made familiar with the West Flemish food industry through various educational packages, youngsters are being actively encouraged to opt for jobs and training courses in the food industry, and a wide range of activities reduce the gap between producer and consumer.

A house with many rooms

In the heart of the West Flemish food industry, the House of Food in Roeselare is growing into an innovative hub for the agri-food industry. Companies, educational institutions, researchers and the government are joining forces and taking initiatives to boost the growth of the food industry even further. Food companies and knowledge institutions make optimum use of the infrastructure and facilities such as office and conference facilities, a sensory laboratory, a state-of-the-art training kitchen, a training workshop and an open innovative foodlab.

The Knowledge Centre for Food plays a decisive role within the House of Food. This partnership between Flanders’ FOOD, Hogeschool Vives, Ghent University and KU Leuven represents a joint effort to promote the innovation potential of West Flemish food companies:

• The low threshold expertise and service centre LED Voeding of Vives offers companies first-line advice in the optimisation of recipes, shelf life and sensory tests, microbiological analyses, and also addresses questions on labelling www.vives.be/onderzoek/project/led-voeding

• An innovation manager Food, a joint initiative by Ghent University and KU Leuven, detects the need for product and process innovation in food companies and then sets up a link between these companies and the expertise of the knowledge partners. This ensures that scientific knowledge finds expression in business-oriented ideas and solutions.

• Flanders’ FOOD is the Flemish innovation platform of the food industry. Since March 2015, there is an antenna in the House of Food. This local presence places the platform in closer contact with the uniqueness of the West Flemish SMEs. The purpose? To unlock knowledge for the many small and medium sized enterprises and to further encourage them to innovate. The local presence allows national and international research and innovation results to be translated in a tailor-made manner for the benefit of the West Flemish entrepreneurs.

“Flexibility is indispensable if the

food industry wishes to continue to grow.

This would however be difficult without a strong

knowledge institution for many West Flemish

SMEs.”

Jean de Bethune, Provincial Executive for Economy and International Cooperation, Province of West Flanders


THE FOOD CLUSTERIDENTIFYING, ENCOURAGING

AND FACILITATING INNOVATION

IDENTIFYING,

ENCOURAGING AND

FACILITATING INNOVATION —

It is inevitable that a province with the development that is inseparably linked with food, will have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this regard. Whether it is the environment, energy, packaging or taste, the various West Flemish university campuses, colleges and multidisciplinary institutions teach businesses how to cope with social challenges.

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TUA West, Knowledge as a foundation

TUA West promotes higher education and research keeping in mind the needs and opportunities in the business sector. Finally, knowledge forms the basis for a future-oriented and innovative economy. TUA West is the Technical University Alliance for economic transformation in West-Flanders and represents a unique partnership of the Province of West Flanders, the colleges of Howest and Vives, the universities of Ghent and KU Leuven with their West Flanders campuses, and employers’ organisations Unizo and Voka.

www.tuawest.be

Multidisciplinary research

The Provincial Research and Advisory Centre for Agriculture and Horticulture, Inagro, is an important link in the West Flemish agri-food complex. This leading centre provides advice, and makes available the results of practice oriented scientific research and observations available for the agricultural sector. The research focuses on soil, nutrients, animals and plants, with sustainability and innovation as the guiding factors. The centre has numerous challenging projects in the pipeline, that will give direction to the future of food; these range from projects to change the taste of the famous chicory, to insect cultivation. With a recently extended testing installation, Inagro also investigates opportunities in aquaculture. ©

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“Companies approach us for short-term services as well as for long-term projects. These projects are executed by students as ‘project work’, which often prepares the ground for further collaboration between the two.”

Professor Imogen Foubert, Engineer, Food & Lipids

The VIVES (Campus Roeselare) research group on food is a driving force for innovation in the food sector by providing problem-solving research and expert advice. Among other things, the research group focuses on recipe development, valorisation of residue streams, and the use of microwave technology. It also serves as a low-threshold centre that provides first-line advice to SMEs.

The cluster Biomedical Laboratory Technology of Howest transfers a great deal of knowledge to the food sector. Particularly remarkable for example is the collaboration between IPV, Alimento, and DAE in developing ‘Game On’, a game that teaches food safety standards to (future) employees.

In the Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, food researchers are working in the Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology. Specifically, research is being carried out into bioactive components as well as functional and nutritional elements within the food industry. Existing and innovative technologies are also being evaluated as an intervention strategy to improve the chemical and microbiological quality and safety of end products.

Finally Innowiz, a partnership between the Ghent University Campus Kortrijk and Howest, focuses on the development of new and innovative forms of packaging for foodstuff.

More than ten researchers of the research group Food & Lipids of the KULAK studied the use of fats in food. Their aim is to research the production of healthier (fatty) foods, without compromising on taste and quality. The Kortrijk Campus of Ghent University also has a biotechnology laboratory in which researchers study the quality and changes in food at the level of the smallest components. They translate these results into practical applications through collaborations.

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THE FOOD CLUSTERHUMAN CAPITAL

THE KEY TO A FUTURE-ORIENTED SECTORHUMAN CAPITAL:

THE KEY TO A FUTURE

ORIENTED SECTOR —

The agri-food industry contributes substantially to the West Flemish economy. Not just for the businesses, but also for the many employees who are employed by it. Ultimately, the food industry also means employment opportunities in a stable and promising sector - in our own region. The search for suitable, motivated and above all well-trained personnel for this booming sector is a major challenge.

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Major study programme - Food

The colleges of Howest and Vives on the campuses of Ghent University and KU Leuven are working on customised training courses for careers in the West Flemish food sector. Based on practice-oriented training courses, these training institutions enable students to translate science and technology according to the needs of the food industry and its users. The many internships and company visits also link the training courses with the local food industry.

Academy for the Future

The Academy for the Future - Food, combines the needs of the business community with future-oriented training courses for job seekers, workers and entrepreneurs. In this manner, the province of West Flanders is strengthening its position as a region full of human capital, thinkers who dare to do. The Academy is also actively involved in the promotion of jobs and relevant training courses. This is done by organising sectoral jobs and training fairs such as Food@Work LIVE, among other things.

The training workshop Gumtree, located in the House of Food, trains job seekers as well as workers from the food industry. Job seekers can approach it to attend training courses as packaging operators, process operators or maintenance technicians in the food industry.

www.academievoordetoekomst.be


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THE FOOD CLUSTERPROSPECTS FOR 2025

FUTURE PROSPECTS

FOR 2025 —

The drive and activities of the food cluster will be largely determined by short-term trends and challenges. From the regional developmental perspective, it is necessary to also keep the long-term vision in mind and to set higher targets that often have to be addressed within an international context. Through partnerships throughout the value chain and the entire West Flemish food complex, it should be possible to achieve the ambitious but realistic objectives of the food cluster for 2025. Innovative urban farming and seaweed projects have already set the tone.

Functional and balanced

The West Flemish food industry is witnessing the birth of new, innovative value chains. Collaboration with businesses and knowledge institutions must result in new or optimised products or processes that will generate additional added value. Such collaborations will take place mainly at a regional level, but the food industry is also looking beyond the borders of the province and of the sector. There are noteworthy opportunities in marine aquaculture, modified and customised food products for an ageing population, and the use of new technologies in the production and processing of food, and the packaging of the same, among others.

Priority for raw materials

Through continuous innovation, the West Flemish food industry is growing to become a reference case in terms of sustainability. This is achieved through the use of high quality local raw materials, an efficient multimodal logistics, and rational use of water and energy, among other things. An efficient management and sustainable management of raw materials is indispensable. In addition, intense research is taking place on which alternative protein sources will offer new opportunities for economic development.

Crop on Top - Co-creation in urban farming technology

In 2014, ILVO and the government of Flanders selected the ‘Crop on Top’ project of Inagro and REO Veiling as the ‘productive landscape’ pilot project. By investing in an innovative roof and façade conservatory on one of the warehouses of the REO Veiling in Roeselare, the partners are focusing on innovative urban farming technology within an inspiring and realistic urban agricultural model. The conservatory is a platform for development and demonstration of high-tech cultivation techniques with which the knowledge partner Inagro will more closely integrate with the logistics sector, the consumer and industrial partners. In addition, the design is also an example of multiple use of space in an urban environment, which could offer a solution for the problem of locating new or expanding (horticulture) businesses. This has opened up research into urban agriculture for the sector, and other interested parties and urban horticulture on industrial rooftops will now have a prominent place in the skyline of Roeselare. The opening of the building is planned for the spring of 2018.

A sea of innovation

As the only Belgian province situated on the North Sea, West Flanders has incredible advantages with which it can further tap the potential of the sea as a source of new food products. The North Sea alone is home to around 80 different species of seaweed, each with a different composition and specific bio-active components. During the first phase, work is ongoing on the launch of a Flemish seaweed platform. Through collaborations between partners along the entire value chain, it should be possible to eliminate non-technological barriers relating to the cultivation, processing and marketing of seaweed by 2025.

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28 INVEST IN WEST FLANDERS

invest in west flanders 1 · through its high proportion of primary producers, especially in pig...

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