On October 1, 2026, the very first edition of Yontec Connect took place at The Hoorn in Leuven. During this exclusive roundtable event, we brought together a select group of partners for an open discussion about the challenges of industrial maintenance and asset management. Rather than traditional presentations, the focus was on an interactive exchange of experiences, insights and ideas. All centred around one key theme: ‘From Technical Challenges to Shared Solutions’.
The technical industry faces numerous challenges. From a growing shortage of qualified technicians to rapid technological developments and the need to retain valuable knowledge within companies.
During Yontec Connect, industrial maintenance managers and site directors came together to discuss these challenges. Guided by our colleague Ronny Hamblok, Business Lead Asset Strategy, participants shared experiences, asked critical questions and explored potential solutions.
It quickly became clear that many companies face similar challenges. That is precisely why sharing experiences and learning from one another is so valuable.
A key topic of discussion was the future of industrial maintenance and assetmanagement, with several challenges emerging. The loss of valuable expertise as the workforce ages is becoming an increasing concern. Experienced technicians have built up decades of practical knowledge, much of which risks being lost when they retire.
At the same time, recruiting skilled technical professionals remains a major challenge. Electromechanical technicians who can work independently and technical specialists with extensive hands-on experience are particularly hard to find. The changing expectations of younger generations were also discussed. Younger employees have different views on flexibility, overtime and work-life balance, requiring companies to rethink how they manage and support their technical teams. Meanwhile, automation and digitalisation are making industrial equipment and systems increasingly complex. Companies need to continue investing in training and development to ensure their teams have the skills to keep pace with these changes. Finally, fluctuating production volumes, shorter production runs and peaks in operational demand are putting additional pressure on workforce planning and maintenance capacity.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive maintenance were key topics during the roundtable discussion. The potential is promising, but how far have companies actually progressed? Several participants shared their experiences with AI applications, including analysing maintenance data and identifying duplicate spare parts in SAP systems. One key takeaway? Data quality plays a crucial role in the success of AI. Many companies have access to vast amounts of information, but that data is not always complete, accurate or properly structured. As a result, many AI projects struggle to move beyond the pilot stage, making it difficult to scale them up.
Predictive maintenance was another major focus of the discussion. By continuously monitoring vibration measurements, sensor readings and process data, companies can detect anomalies earlier and predict potential equipment failures. This helps reduce unplanned downtime and enables more effective maintenance planning. However, participants also took a critical look at the technology. AI can provide valuable support, but it cannot replace the knowledge and hands-on experience of skilled technicians. Traditional mechanical and electrical maintenance remains essential.
The key takeaway? Technology creates opportunities, but its true value lies in combining reliable data, intelligent systems and human expertise.
Another key topic was knowledge retention. How can companies ensure that the valuable expertise of their most experienced technicians is not lost?
Today, much of the technical knowledge within companies still exists primarily in the minds of their employees. Passing on this expertise requires more than simply documenting procedures and writing manuals. During the discussion, participants highlighted the importance of accessible, practical knowledge sharing. Mobile applications, for example, allow technicians to easily share photos, voice notes and fault reports. This enables valuable information to be captured directly on the shop floor, without creating unnecessary administrative work.
Mentoring also emerged as an effective way to transfer knowledge. Bringing together younger, digitally skilled employees and experienced technicians creates opportunities for both generations to learn from each other. Younger employees contribute fresh perspectives and digital skills, while experienced technicians pass on their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.
The challenge is to bring these complementary strengths together and build stronger, more capable technical teams for the future.
The first edition of Yontec Connect highlighted one thing above all: companies across the industrial industry often face the same challenges.
Whether it is attracting skilled talent, retaining valuable expertise or adopting new technologies, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. By encouraging open discussions and sharing experiences, participants gained fresh perspectives and practical ideas to take back to their own organisations.
Following the roundtable, we ended the evening with a dinner, giving everyone the opportunity to continue the conversations in a more informal setting.
With Yontec Connect, our ambition goes beyond simply discussing challenges. We want to build connections, share knowledge and work together to explore solutions that make a real difference. A sincere thank you to all participants for their openness, valuable insights and active contributions. You helped make this first edition a successful start for Yontec Connect!
Because great technical solutions start with strong partnerships.
