Evening Keynote & Debate, November 4th 2025

How to make European Industry Great Again

In a world increasingly defined by geopolitical instability, disrupted supply chains, and economic uncertainty, industrial leaders face more than just operational and technical challenges. Ensuring business continuity and long-term competitiveness now requires a strategic focus on industrial sovereignty and economic security.

Critical dependencies on foreign technologies and resources, once considered manageable, have become key vulnerabilities. As Europe rethinks its role on the global stage, how can you prepare your organisation for turbulence while contributing to a stronger, more resilient industrial base? What does strategic autonomy mean in practice – and how can economic resilience be built into your operations?

That is why we organise a keynote and high-level panel debate on these crucial themes — and invite you to join this evening of insight and exchange. Together with leading experts and decision-makers, we will explore how Europe’s industries can strengthen their resilience, safeguard competitiveness, and build the foundations for a more secure and autonomous future.

Please note

Participation in the Evening Keynote & Debate can be booked separately. This ticket also includes access to the walking dinner.
For participants attending the first day of the Asset Performance Conference, access to the evening keynote, panel debate, and walking dinner is already included in the conference ticket.

1. Keynote: Economic Resilience and Industrial Sovereignty in a changing geopolitical world: it’s a balancing act

In this keynote session, Prof. Dr. Cind Du Bois invites you to look beyond efficiency and innovation, and to consider the growing intersection between industry, security, and defence economics. Drawing on her academic research and policy work at the Belgian Ministry of Defence, she shares a compelling vision for how economic resilience, technological autonomy, and cross-sector collaboration can position Europe for a more secure and competitive future.

Strategic Landscape 2025–2035: Europe and Belgium in an Uncertain World
- Importance of openness and trade for Europe/Belgium
- Shifting geopolitical power blocs (US–China–Russia) and their impact on open economies.
- Consequences of conflicts, trade restrictions, and energy dependencies on European industrial supply chains.
Economic Security as a New Strategic Framework for Industry
- Transition from “efficiency and just-in-time” to “security and strategic stockpiling”.
- Protecting critical technologies and knowledge without stifling innovation.
It’s a balancing act
- Balance between openness and security “as open as possible, as closed as necessary”
- Balance between “protect, promote and partner “ (reference to EU Economic Security Strategy)
- Balance between role of government and role of industry
Innovation and Maintenance as Resilience Multipliers
- The strategic importance of maintenance & reliability
- Examples on how innovations in maintenance also can contribute?
- Importance of MRO (Maintenance – Repair – Overhaul) activities
What industry can learn from defence and vica versa?
Practical key take-aways

2. High-level panel debate: How can European and Belgian industrial companies become more resilient and competitive to face the global challenges ahead?

The keynote is followed by a high-level panel debate featuring:

Georges-Louis Bouchez, Chairman of the liberal MR party and strong advocate for European competitiveness.
Wim De Vos, CEO of Campine, bringing critical insights on the challenges industries in Belgium and Europe face and how to overcome these challenges.
Fabrice Brion, CEO and Co-founder of I-care Group, talking about how innovative solutions in maintenance and asset management improve resilience and competitiveness of our industries.
Prof. Dr. Cind Du Bois , who delivered the keynote prior to the debate.

Together, they explore how Europe can navigate the current challenging times and emerge stronger. Here are some topics that will be addressed:

The importance Securing Critical Technologies, Raw Materials and Energy Supplies
Industrial Competitiveness in a High-Cost Region
Innovation & Maintenance as Resilience Multipliers
Talent & Skills for a Sovereign Industrial Base
How to finance Resilience and Industrial Sovereignty?
Key takeaways for decision-makers and industry leaders

About the panel:

Prof. Dr. Cind Du Bois – Professor of Defence Economics and senior advisor, Belgian Ministry of Defence

An academic expert in defence economics and industrial strategy, Prof. Du Bois combines academic research with policy experience at the highest national level.
Her work focuses on economic security, strategic autonomy, and the interplay between defence, innovation, and industrial policy in Europe.
As keynote speaker, she sets the intellectual foundation for the debate by framing Europe’s industrial resilience in the broader context of geopolitical shifts.
Her perspective connects economic policy with national security, offering a unique bridge between public institutions, academia, and industry.

Georges-Louis Bouchez – Chairman of the liberal MR party and strong advocate for European competitiveness

As leader of Belgium’s liberal Reformist Movement (MR), Bouchez has been at the forefront of national debates on economic reform, industrial policy, and European integration.
He is a vocal proponent of strengthening Europe’s internal market, reducing regulatory burdens, and promoting innovation as a driver of competitiveness.
Bouchez regularly engages with both policymakers and industry leaders to align public policy with the needs of manufacturing and technology sectors.
His perspective bridges politics and business, focusing on how Europe can remain open, innovative, and strategically autonomous in a volatile world.

Wim De Vos – CEO of Campine

Leading one of Belgium’s oldest and most specialized materials companies, De Vos brings hands-on experience with industrial transformation in energy-intensive sectors.
Under his leadership, Campine has evolved from a traditional metals recycling business into a circular economy pioneer, producing critical materials for energy storage, mobility, and sustainable manufacturing.
He has deep insights into the challenges European industry faces: high energy costs, environmental regulation, and global competition.
De Vos advocates for pragmatic industrial policies that balance sustainability with competitiveness, and for investment in local value chains to strengthen Europe’s industrial resilience.

Fabrice Brion – CEO and Co-founder of I-care Group

As co-founder of the internationally recognized I-care Group, Brion has built one of Europe’s leading companies in predictive maintenance and industrial reliability.
I-care operates in over 50 countries, helping manufacturers use advanced analytics, AI, and condition monitoring to prevent downtime and improve asset performance.
Brion’s expertise lies in how digital transformation and innovation in maintenance can significantly enhance industrial resilience and reduce strategic dependencies.
He offers a forward-looking, technology-driven vision of how European industry can thrive through smart maintenance and data intelligence.

Don’t miss this essential session on one of the most urgent challenges facing European industry today and learn how to shape strategic readiness within your organisation and beyond. This high-level keynote and debate takes place during the Asset Performance Conference, organised by BEMAS.

Practical Information

Don’t miss this essential session on one of the most urgent challenges facing European industry today and learn how to shape strategic readiness within your organisation and beyond.

Participants can register separately for the Evening Keynote & Panel Debate, which also includes access to the walking dinner.
For those attending the first day of the Asset Performance Conference, access to the keynote, debate, and walking dinner is already included in their conference ticket.