# Agoria

Agoria, previously known as Fabrimetal, is a Belgian employers' organization and member of the Federation of Belgian Enterprises.

## Description

Agoria connects over 1900 technologically inspired companies active in Belgium (2019) that strive for progress based on the development or application of innovations. Their goal is to increase the success of their member companies and assure their environmental sustainability.

## History

Fabrimetal, short for the Federation of Enterprises in the Metal Industry (Dutch: Federatie van de ondernemingen der metaalwerkende nijverheid, French: Fédération des entreprises de l'industrie des fabrications métalliques, Fabrimétal), was established in 1946 on the foundations of the Federation of Manufacturers (Dutch: Federatie van Fabrikanten, French: Fédération des constructeurs), founded in 1906. At its peak, Fabrimetal represented 1200 enterprises in the metalworking industry, electronic construction and the processing of plastics.
The name change from Fabrimetal to Agoria was announced on 9 November 2000 by then managing director Philippe de Buck and president John Cordier. The old name was thought to refer too explicitly to the metalworking industry, and it was the organisation's aim to recruit new companies from the technology sector.
Currently, Agoria counts more than 1900 member companies from the manufacturing industry, and the digital and telecom sectors. With a €125.20 billion turnover in 2018, these sectors jointly represent no less than 9% of the added value of the private sector in Belgium. Agoria's member companies represent an overall 320,000 direct jobs, about 10% of the Belgian private sector. Agoria is the largest federation within the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (Dutch: Verbond van Belgische Ondernemingen, VBO, French: Fédération des Entreprises de Belgique, FEB).

## Structure

Agoria is directed by Belgian companies. Current chair of the board of directors is René Branders. Agoria is divided into one department for each of the three Belgian Regions.
| Period | President |
| Fabrimetal ||
| 1946–1952 | Léon-Antoine Bekaert |
| 1953–1965 | Félix Leblanc |
| 1965–1971 | Georges Moens de Fernig |
| 1971–1977 | Marc Verhaeghe de Naeyer |
| 1977–1983 | Philippe Saverys |
| 1983–1989 | Eugène Van Dyck |
| 1989–1993 | Richard Gandibleux |
| 1993–1999 | Karel Vinck |
| 1997–1999 | Julien De Wilde |
| 1999–2000 | John Cordier |
| Agoria ||
| 2000–2002 | John Cordier |
| 2002–2007 | Thomas Leysen |
| 2007–2008 | Francis Verheughe |
| 2009–2010 | Paul Depuydt |
| 2010–2016 | Christ'l Joris |
| 2016–2019 | Marc De Groote |
| 2019 – present | René Branders |
| Period | CEO |
| Fabrimetal ||
| 1971–1987 | Jacques De Staercke |
| 1987–2000 | Philippe de Buck van Overstraeten |
| Agoria ||
| 2000–2001 | Philippe de Buck van Overstraeten |
| 2001–2013 | Paul Soete |
| 2013 – present | Marc Lambotte |

## Activities

Connect all who are inspired by technology
Agoria connects its members within company groups and provides the appropriate conditions for technological developments.
Agoria plays an important role in raising awareness of and the adoption of technological innovations: from the development of Artificial Intelligence and drones to cybersecurity. The organisation helps its member companies to discover and implement innovative technologies, to benchmark their own innovation capacity in comparison to similar companies, and to innovate in their product and services range.
Agoria sets up ecosystems to expedite innovation and to provide a framework of regulations. Smart cities, smart buildings, smart mobility, smart energy and smart health are just a few examples of such ecosystems.
Increasing the success of companies
* Operational consultation services based on business knowledge
Agoria experts provide consultation services to member companies on any aspect of their operations. Members are kept up-to-date on the trends within the industry and have access to an extensive library of useful documents, tools and templates.
* A broad network that opens doors
With frequent networking activities, Agoria assists member companies in continuing their growth. The company brings companies from various fields together to strengthen each other by sharing knowledge and exchanging experience. This network is active within Belgium and as well as internationally, in six technology clubs, each of which deals with a specific market. Networking activities include themed seminars that connect commercial partners based on technology requirements and investment opportunities.
* Ready for the digital future
Seven specific transformation pathways ensure that manufacturers become more economically sustainable and at the same time ensure a stable local economy and employment opportunities. Companies that successfully implement these transformations receive the Factory of the Future award from Agoria and Sirris. In 2018, these Factories of the Future invested more than half a billion euros and employed 11% more people.
* Crafting a sustainable future
Agoria represents the interests of member companies to the relevant decision makers on a local, regional, federal, European and international level. The objective is to provide a favourable climate for technological development and remove obstacles which limit the economic or social potential of its members.
Policy representation
Agoria represents the positions of its members and the interests of the technology sector at every level of policy. Through the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium, the organisation influences matters such as interprofessional agreements, Digital Service Tax and the National Social Security Office. At a regional level, Agoria encourages government investments: support for Walloon companies striving to decrease their CO$_2$ emissions, investment in new training centres in Brussels, promotion of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in Flanders, etc. At a European level, the organisation sits on more than 40 European committees and is a member of Business Europe.