HRD ANTWERP

Innovation challenge

Ellen Jonckheere, CEO HRD Antwerp observed that the local ecosystem is very fragmented and collaboration in the value chain is few and far between. And yet, the diamond industry is a greenfield in terms of innovation, with opportunities in automation, blockchain, AI and digitalization projects.

This type of innovation must enable HRD Antwerp to remain cost-competitive compared with other trade hubs and offer differentiating value compared with its director competitors.

The need for more market-oriented thinking and cooperation in the chain in order to devise new services with added value is also apparent. Traders find it very important that the certification process is as cheap and as fast as possible. The physical passage through Antwerp plays an important part in this. This needs to be carefully thought through before switching to alternatives.

Solution developed

HRD Antwerp drafted an innovation strategy and looked for potential partners to develop the various opportunities. In its pursuit of operational excellence, HRD Antwerp investigated different opportunities for the automation of its processes and services. They received guidance during this innovation process by carrying out a technical feasibility study. A multidisciplinary team of experts analyzed the opportunities for automation and created various quick designs (concept sketches).

The team developed the concepts more in detail, analyzed the technical risks and estimated the development costs for different phases. Finally, HRD Antwerp was also given an overview of potential subsidy channels for the development.

How did the coaching enable to accelerate?

Ellen Joncheere: “Together with the experts in the programme, we were able to make certain ideas more tangible and test them. The outcome of the process was a tangible and feasible concept with a development plan.”