Kabelwerk Eupen is voted Technical Team of the Year 2024 by the jury and the public

The Technical Team of the Year award went to Kabelwerk Eupen, a manufacturer of cables and wires of various types. The company, whose production sites are located on the banks of the Vesdre and Helle rivers, was hard hit by the floods that hit Wallonia in 2021. Kabelwerk Eupen was able to count on unprecedented commitment and solidarity from its employees, despite the sometimes heavy personal losses. Lucas Equeter, Chairman of the Jury and First Assistant at the Faculté Polytechnique de UMons, explains the jury's choice: "The exceptional commitment of the maintenance staff and all the company's departments in the face of dramatic circumstances, the intimate technical mastery of the equipment, supported by digitised documentation, enabled the business to be relaunched in record time, demonstrating extraordinary resilience".  Alain Blaise, Head of Technical Services, and Sven Schommer, Office Manager, also succeeded in convincing the public of the merits of their technical team, earning them the People's Choice Award.

Engie, which produces green energy with its Coo pumped storage power station, was the first to present its case for extending the life of its power station and increasing its capacity. It is a titanic project involving the replacement of three crucial installations (the transformer, the impeller and the guide vanes) as well as the enlargement and adaptation of the basins.

The third candidate Industeel, an ArcelorMittal subsidiary specialising in the production of hot-rolled and forged steel sheet, ingots and formed parts, chose to rely on robotisation to increase the safety of its employees and reduce monotonous tasks as well as increase the quality of their products.

Engie Coo: Life extension and production capacity expansion at the Coo hydroelectric power station  

The technical expertise of Engie's Coo maintenance team was crucial to the success of the extension project. Their involvement in drawing up the specifications, rigorous monitoring of the work and participation in commissioning ensured that quality and safety standards were met. Close collaboration with suppliers minimised delays, while responsiveness to unforeseen circumstances kept the project moving forward. In conclusion, their expertise and commitment have strengthened Engie's position as a leader in hydroelectric power.

Industeel - Robotisation of a secondary metallurgy stand at the Industeel Belgium steelworks

Industeel Belgium has launched a project to robotise its secondary metallurgy operations, with the aim of improving product quality and eliminating dangerous and time-consuming tasks. Collaboration with various technical partners has enabled innovative approaches to be adopted. Close coordination between Industeel's in-house teams and external suppliers was crucial in adapting solutions to the specific needs of the steelworks. Comprehensive training of maintenance staff and users prior to the deployment of the robotic equipment was essential to ensure its safe and efficient operation. This initiative represents a major step forward in optimising production processes, promising both improved product quality and enhanced worker safety and well-being.

Eupen Cable - Renaissance of the Eupen Cable Factory: An Odyssey of Resilience and Hard Work

The floods of 2021 had severely damaged Kabelwerk Eupen, but the technical team immediately mobilised to draw up a recovery plan. Their total commitment to restoring the assets was essential to overcoming the challenges. The exemplary dedication of the staff was a key driver in this rebuilding process. Close collaboration with local authorities and business partners has also been crucial. Despite the difficulties, determination and collaboration enabled the plant to recover successfully. Today, Kabelwerk Eupen is reasserting itself as a major player in cable manufacturing, thanks to the combined efforts of everyone involved.