​Smart factory at BMT Aerospace: smarter work with the same team

Charlotte Sticker and Benoit Reynders talk about Smart Factory

The important thing is not to do more things with less people. It’s to do more with the same amount of people, in a more effective way. – Benoit Reynders CEO BMT Aerospace

At BMT Aerospace, the smart factory approach is a practical roadmap for digital manufacturing. No buzzwords, but a mindset that supports operators, improves daily flow, and enables better decisions on the shop floor. In this podcast, Benoit Reynders, CEO of BMT Aerospace, explains how we build this system step by step.

A smart factory roadmap in three steps

The approach follows a clear sequence that builds capability step by step.

1. Become a data virtuoso
The starting point is knowing what is happening across the company at all times, with the right data at your fingertips. This is the foundation for faster insight and better day-to-day decisions.

2. Build a digital twin
Next comes the digital twin. It creates a digital version of the factory environment that mirrors the real shop floor, so teams can work with data in context, not as isolated numbers.

3. Use embedded systems to support operators
With data and context in place, embedded systems help the smart factory become operational. These systems use data to support operators and automate decisions where it makes sense. The goal is a more effective flow with fewer manual steps.

What it looks like in practice

One example makes it tangible: first article inspection. Measurements can be done manually or with automated systems. The next smart factory step is to feed those measurements back into the machine immediately through connected systems, so operators do not need to measure and type values back into the machine themselves.

Turning strategy into daily practice

This smart factory mindset is also why the Belgium site earned the Factory of the Future award twice: turning digital strategy into daily practice. 👉 Get more info about the award here: https://bmtaerospace.com/bmt-aerospace-wins-factory-of-the-future-award/

Smart manufacturing at BMT Aerospace is not about a single system or one-off project. It is an ongoing journey that combines data, digital tools and human expertise to build a more resilient and efficient organisation.

By doing more with the same people, in a smarter way, BMT Aerospace continues to strengthen its ability to deliver flight-critical components with precision, reliability and confidence.