Barco opens new Factory for the Future

[DCI forum]

Barco is opening its new factory at its HQ campus, in Belgium. The production site is named ‘The Engine’.
Back in January Barco said it was looking to move production from Norway to Belgium, as part of a production streamlining operation. Later this year the production from Norway will be relocated to the Belgian plant.

“The new site, and accompanying infrastructure, offers a strong base for gradually improving our efficiency and will help us to respond quickly to new market trends,” says Filip Deruijck, Barco’s VP Operations Belgium.

"This new approach translates into economies of scale", says Barco in a prepared statement.

“The design of the manufacturing floor, for example, is flexible and multifunctional. Through automation and innovation, we can shorten lead times and increase production. It’s how we can keep delivery times short and produce cost-effectively, also in Belgium, Deruijck added.”

[DCI forum]

First picture of the factory's interior, as DCi Projectors are assembled for Cinionic, Barco's new Cinema joint-venture with several Chinese partners.



The production facility, at Barco’s One Campus in Kortrijk, covers 15,000 sqm (161,458.66 sqft) in total, including 1,500 sqm (16,145.87 sqft) state-of-the-art clean rooms. Currently 250 people work at the new plant. The Engine features an investment in a multimillion-dollar clean room where Barco makes its sealed optical engines. According to Barco its patented engine cooling is a hallmark of Barco cinema projectors. Thanks to the patented sealed enclosure, no contamination can affect the optics of the DLP cinema chips, which guarantees undiminished brightness and contrast. These high-quality optics guarantee a flawless image quality for a stunning movie experience.

“Thanks to “The Engine,” we are ready for the upcoming demand, bringing the next wave of cinema technology to our exhibitors to deliver at their request. The close cooperation between engineering and manufacturing at the new facility results in better products”, said Wim Buyens, CEO of Cinionic.

The core of the Factory of the Future' clever way of working' encompasses different pillars, including digitally connecting employees and systems worldwide as well as automating the warehouse, wich is to be fully operational at the beginning of 2019, and automate key assembly activities.

“The new site, and accompanying infrastructure, is a major step-up of our manufacturing capabilities and helps us respond quickly to new market trends,” says Filip Deruijck, Barco’s VP Operations Belgium. “The design of the manufacturing floor, for example, is flexible and multifunctional. Through automation and innovation, we can shorten lead times and increase production. It’s how we can keep delivery times short and produce cost-effectively.”

Cinionic is a joint venture among Barco, Appotronics, and CFG, with offices in the United States, Belgium, Hong Kong and Mexico; the legal entity is planned to take effect mid-2018.