Construction
Closing the circle from construction design, off-site production to on-site production and back.
We focus on productivity and sustainability in construction.
Productivity boost thanks to digitalisation
Productivity growth in the construction sector is low. Fragmented chains with many SMEs and limited data sharing create complexity, frequent delays and cost overruns.
Our technologies support a boost in productivity through the entire process from design to delivery:
- Design for X evaluations for first-time-right designs;
- Advanced planning and scheduling;
- Off-site production integration via BIM2ERP/BIM2MES, with continuous monitoring of production;
- On-site digital collaboration via BIM;
- Quality control with computer vision and AI.
Productivity boost thanks to industrialisation
The sector faces three major obstacles:
- the lack of common standards,
- the need for training and upskilling of employees,
- the obligation to significantly scale up and accelerate renovation and new construction in order to achieve the ZEB targets on time.
Our technologies make it possible to:
- Standardise prefab designs for more off-site production;
- Support operators both cognitively and physically;
- Increase throughput via automation and robotisation, for both off-site and on-site construction.
Sustainable life cycle management of buildings
Strict rules on sustainability and circularity are putting pressure on the sector. Deviations between design, planning and delivery are not documented, and there is a systematic lack of information and asset management afterwards. Re-X strategies are also up for improvement.
Our technologies support:
- (Re)designing buildings, with maximum reuse of components and materials;
- Creating digital product passports;
- Scanning buildings to automatically create a digital twin.
This way, we provide a holistic end-to-end approach that balances costs, performance, value, and sustainability.
Get in touch with our construction expert
Sales Manager at Flanders Make
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Our vision and context
The construction industry is undergoing profound change. Key challenges include the war for talent, with companies struggling to find and retain skilled staff, and the push for digitisation to deliver faster, more efficient and customer-friendly processes. Industrialisation is helping to make building more affordable and improve quality, while increasingly complex projects require greater cooperation between construction teams. A strong focus on sustainability is also reshaping practices, driven by climate awareness, ambitious targets and extreme weather conditions.
Other forces are equally transformative. Alternative housing models are emerging as demographics evolve, and legal complexity is increasing as regulation becomes more important. Rising customer expectations are pushing for more customer-oriented actions, while new business models are needed to rethink the role of companies in the value chain. At the same time, logistics innovation is critical to improve efficiency and security across construction supply chains.
Looking ahead, KPMG Belgium’s vision for 2030 foresees construction companies evolving into truly data-driven enterprises, with modular building methods, enterprise-level risk management, localised and 3D-printed supply chains, ESG-focused investment, and a stronger emphasis on workforce skills and attractiveness.
From blueprint to construction and back
Building Design & Planning
Planning and designing buildings and their elements with both off-site and on-site production in mind, while integrating Design for and from ReX (Return on Experiences) principles.
Related success stories and technologies
Off-Site Production
Manufacturing building components off-site with built-in quality control, ensuring seamless on-site assembly.
Related success stories and technologies
On-Site Construction
Carrying out construction on-site, supported by inspection, quality assurance, and equipment maintenance.
Related success stories and technologies
Building Operation, Maintenance & Re-X:
Maximising building use through continuous monitoring of its condition, enabling timely maintenance and informed end-of-life decisions.
Related success stories and technologies
- DUCO improves home comfort using our smart reasoning & acting technology.
Smart technologies for the construction sector
Power and Energy Components and Systems
Advancing electric machines, batteries, power electronics, transmissions and thermo-fluid energy systems.
Manufacturing, Mechanical Components and Systems
Optimising mechanical components and systems, their performance, sustainability and manufacturing process.
Robotics, sensors and actuators
Improving the core components of robotics and smart machines.
Employee 5.0 Systems
Boosting well-being & productivity.
Situational and self-awareness technologies
To identify, interrogate, and evaluate both environmental conditions and system states.
Reasoning and Acting Technologies
For intelligent decision-making and the orchestration of (autonomous) actions.
System-of-Systems Technologies
For a seamless interaction, coordination, and efficiency across complex industrial environments.
Business, Sustainability & Operations Management
Optimising the operations, sustainability, and value-creation of businesses.
Unique testing infrastructure
Additive manufacturing
Open and modular additive manufacturing platforms for research into the 3D production process.
Testing of mechanical connections and joining techniques.
For lighter, stronger products through optimised and automated joining processes.
Battery testing lab
For performance, ageing, and fast-charging tests to support optimal battery development for electrified applications.
Drivetrain testing
For hardware-in-the-loop and system-level testing to analyse and optimise the performance, durability, and efficiency of electric drivetrains and their components.
Testing electr(on)ic components
For mechanical and thermal tests of electr(on)ic components.
Testing physical and physiological stress
For mechanical and thermal tests of electr(on)ic components.
Make Lab
Mobile research lab filled to the brim with cutting-edge technology.
Testing of polymers
Lab for product and raw material testing and polymer material identification.
Manufacturing metrology lab
To ensure product quality and precision through advanced 3D measurement, surface analysis, and dimensional verification.
Autonomous vehicles for sensor testing
For testing of sensors and algorithms used in autonomous vehicles.
Testing of fatigue, failures and damage mechanics of components
For maximum durability, safety, and performance through advanced fatigue, fracture, and vibration analysis.
Development and prototyping of photonic components
State-of-the-art pilot line for freeform optics.
Vehicle testing
4-poster and climate chamber for vehicle (component) testing.
Digital model-based factory design and control processes
Digital Twin control room for digital models of factory designs and control processes.
Motor Testing
For realistic and flexible testing of electric motors to optimise efficiency, durability, and control through advanced thermal analysis and lifetime prediction.
Mechanical Component Testing
For material- and system-level validation to optimise durability, efficiency, and reliability of components and drivetrains.
Robot gripper technologies
For the selection, development, and optimisation of customised grippers, robot tooling, and sensor technology.
