CNH, Flanders Make complete US$160.5M accelerator project, advancing digital manufacturing in Flanders
The three-year initiative strengthens Flanders’ leadership in sustainable and high-tech industrial production.
BELGIUM – CNH Industrial and Flanders Make have completed the three-year Accelerator Project at CNH’s Harvesting Center of Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium.
The milestone highlights Flanders’ growing role as one of Europe’s leading regions for advanced and sustainable manufacturing.
The Accelerator Project, launched in 2022, focused on introducing advanced digital manufacturing methods and deepening collaboration between CNH, Flanders Make, VLAIO, and five Belgian partner companies.
The initiative forms part of a €150 million (US$160.5 million) investment plan designed to enhance automation, artificial intelligence–based quality control, and flexible manufacturing at CNH’s Zedelgem facility.
At the plant, CNH introduced a new flexible assembly line that improves the flow of materials and increases production efficiency. The company also adopted Advanced Planning Systems that use both historical and real-time data to optimize material ordering and reduce waste.
According to CNH Chief Supply Chain Officer Tom Verbaeten, the project reflects a long-term industrial vision. “The long-term transformation of our Zedelgem Centre of Excellence is the result of a strategic industrial vision and effective collaboration with our innovation partners. This synergy is fundamental to driving performance, innovation, and sustainability,” he said. “Thanks to our commitment and the support of partners such as Flanders Make, Zedelgem is now a benchmark for digitalized, high-tech manufacturing in Europe.”
Supporting local industry and product development
CNH worked with Flanders Make and five leading Belgian manufacturers, Picanol, Atlas Copco, Vandewiele, Sabca, and Crop’s, to create a scalable ecosystem for innovation. This collaboration has already helped modernize operations, speed up R&D, and create new high-tech jobs in the region.
The project also supported the production of the New Holland CR11 combine harvester, which earned the only gold innovation medal at Agritechnica 2023. The CR11’s introduction increased production complexity by 30 percent, testing the plant’s efficiency and flexibility.
The digital systems developed under Accelerator enabled CNH to maintain quality and speed while managing this expanded workload.
The Flemish government contributed €1.85 million to support the project, including €1 million for R&D suppliers. This funding strengthened the partnership between public institutions and private industry, helping position Flanders as a center for advanced and sustainable manufacturing.
Flanders Make CEO Grisja Lobbestael said the results show how practical collaboration drives industrial growth. “With Accelerator, we didn’t just innovate in the lab, we redefined how industrial R&D translates into practice,” he said. “It’s about creating reusable, scalable technologies that strengthen Flanders’ position in the global manufacturing chain. It really is a catalyst for sustainable industrial growth.”
Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of Flanders, said collaboration remains key to regional competitiveness. “The Accelerator exemplifies how strategic public-private cooperation can strengthen our region’s technological leadership and industrial resilience,” he said.
“By investing in digitalization and high-tech employment, Flanders is reinforcing this manufacturing base and is shaping the future of European industry. The success in Zedelgem proves that when Flemish expertise and entrepreneurship come together, we can set new standards for global competitiveness.”
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