Belgian age tech company Nobi, which makes smart lights for the healthcare sector, has halted its production in China. It thus continues the general trend of "reshoring," with companies resolutely opting for a "Made In Europe" label. "Six months after our decision to revert to local production, we commissioned the production site in Aartselaar," said Roeland Pelgrims, CEO of Nobi.
His company makes smart lights that work with artificial intelligence and watch over the safety of the elderly. At the base are fall detection, fall prevention and fall prediction, supplemented by monitoring vital signs such as breathing and coughing behavior. Nobi's smart lights support elderly people at home, but also partner with care personnel in (residential) care centers and assisted living facilities. There, they contribute to even more targeted elderly care and relieve busy care workers of repetitive tasks. Thus, their scarce time can go to those tasks that really make a difference in the lives and happiness of the elderly.
The cost of having parts come from China to Belgium offsets the high local labor costs for an increasing number of companies. In addition, geopolitical considerations also play into the decision to bring back production. "We actually put the makers back together with the developers," Pelgrims said. This decision also translates into a sustainable and inclusive HR policy. By the end of this year, Nobi will employ 20 people in its production facility. In the composition of its team, Nobi also offers broad opportunities. Also to people who have difficulty connecting with the regular labor market. This includes people with disabilities, refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine, for example, and people with a migration background. Professor Rudy Aernoudt of UGent points to the gigantic impact of both corona and the war in Ukraine. "Those factors accelerated the 'reshoring' trend, we really need to get our industry back," he says. "Moreover, we can accelerate this by creating a policy of customization. Subsidies are not necessarily necessary, we need to listen to what the companies practically need to return."