Building an Inclusive Shop Floor: How Bewel Leverages Technology

Bewel is making its shop floor more inclusive by integrating digital tools that support workers of all skill levels. This article explores their approach, challenges, and how technology fosters inclusion in manufacturing.
A female worker wearing a protective mask and light blue uniform is assembling electrical components at a workstation on a shop floor. A tablet displaying digital work instructions is placed next to her. The background shows an organized industrial workspace with shelves and equipment. Overlay text reads "Inclusion on the Shop Floor" in bold blue and white colors.
Published on:
01 February 2025
Updated on:
03 February 2025

In a recent webinar, we spoke with Benny Claes, Technology and Innovation Manager at Bewel, about how the company is making its shop floor more inclusive with the help of technology.

Bewel employs over 2,200 people, many of whom face challenges entering the workforce. By implementing digital solutions, they are ensuring that employees of all skill levels can contribute effectively to production processes.

Azumuta plays a role in this journey by providing tools that support accessibility in manufacturing. While not specifically designed as an inclusivity tool, Azumuta helps streamline work processes, offering structured digital work instructions and real-time feedback that benefit a diverse workforce. This discussion with Benny provided insights into the challenges and solutions that come with integrating technology to create a more adaptable and accessible work environment.

About Bewel

Bewel is an organization that employs individuals with a distance to the labor market. With 2,200 employees and eight locations, Bewel is one of the largest employers in Limburg. The organization operates not only within its own workplaces but also directly on the production floors of its customers across different sectors. They contribute to different aspects of the production process, including assembly, packaging, quality control, logistics, and more.

By embedding inclusive employment within industrial environments, Bewel ensures that a diverse workforce can contribute effectively while also meeting the demands of modern businesses.

Adapting to Complex Production Demands

One of Bewel’s primary challenges is managing a high-mix, low-volume production setup. Unlike mass production facilities, Bewel works with smaller batches of varied products, making efficiency a critical factor. This complexity requires flexible and adaptive solutions, particularly for employees who may need additional support in carrying out their tasks.

Additionally, keeping up with the rapid pace of technological advancements presents another challenge. For example, two years ago, Bewel invested in Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, an augmented reality headset, for remote assistance. However, newer and more affordable options, like the Meta Quest 3, have since emerged. The fast-changing landscape makes it difficult to establish long-term technology roadmaps while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

Technology as an Enabler

At Bewel, technology plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between employees and the labor market. Digital work instructions, augmented reality, and light-guided assembly are just some of the tools that help workers perform their tasks independently and confidently.

A particularly inspiring example shared by Benny involved an employee who had never used a tablet before. She was introduced to digital work instructions via Azumuta while assembling electrical cabinets. By the end of a 20-piece run, she was disappointed that she had to stop; she found the experience fun and engaging. This success demonstrated how technology can empower workers by providing structured guidance without constant supervision.

Another example involved an employee assembling speed pedelecs. Due to a physical disability, he struggled with small screens, so Bewel provided a 23-inch touchscreen monitor instead of an iPad. This simple adaptation enabled him to work comfortably and independently, reinforcing Bewel’s commitment to finding personalized solutions for every employee.

Not everyone on the shop floor is tech-savvy. That’s why we take a step-by-step approach, testing new technology in small cases before rolling it out more broadly.

Benny Claes
Technology and Innovation Manager at Bewel

Gradual Integration of Digital Solutions

Implementing new technology on the shop floor is not an overnight process. Bewel takes a step-by-step approach, ensuring gradual integration and user buy-in. Rather than overwhelming employees with drastic changes, they introduce technology in small, manageable phases.

By giving workers hands-on experience with new tools, Bewel fosters a sense of ownership and acceptance. The goal is for employees to eventually create their own digital work instructions, further increasing their independence and engagement.

Cognitive and Physical Support Technologies

Bewel’s technology integration strategy is built on two pillars:

  1. Cognitive Support: Digital work instructions, augmented reality overlays, and real-time feedback mechanisms help employees complete tasks efficiently. These tools reduce reliance on direct supervision and empower workers to perform their duties independently.
  2. Physical Support: Adaptive tools, such as 3D-printed jigs and ergonomic workstations, make physically demanding tasks more accessible. For example, a custom-made jig allowed an employee with limited hand mobility to complete assembly tasks that would have otherwise been impossible.

Partnering for Inclusive Innovation

Bewel’s achieved a successful technology adoption thanks to collaboration with universities, knowledge centers, and technology providers. Universities like KU Leuven and Hasselt conduct research and pilot projects, while organizations such as Flanders Make provide industry insights and funding opportunities.

Azumuta has also been a key partner in Bewel’s digitalization journey, particularly through its implementation of digital work instructions. By digitizing work processes, Bewel ensures that employees have clear, visual guidance for each task, reducing the need for constant supervision and making it easier for workers of all skill levels to follow standardized procedures. Digital work instructions also allow for real-time updates and customization, ensuring that employees receive instructions that match their specific needs and skill levels. With features like API integration and real-time tracking, Azumuta enables seamless communication between different software systems, ensuring a smooth workflow on the shop floor.

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The Future of Technology at Bewel

Looking ahead, Bewel aims to further integrate technology into its operations by expanding digital work instructions and increasing automation in quality control processes. One ambitious goal is to enable employees with learning difficulties to create their own digital work instructions, closing the gap between operators and process managers.

Bewel is also exploring new ways to optimize production efficiency. By analyzing real-time data from production lines, they aim to identify bottlenecks and continuously refine their workflows. This data-driven approach ensures that every worker can contribute to the best of their abilities while maintaining high production standards.

Inclusion as Strategic Advantage

Bewel’s journey to an inclusive shop floor serves as a prime example of how technology and structured approaches can support a diverse workforce. Inclusion is a strategic advantage. According to a report by The Manufacturing Institute on diversity and inclusion in manufacturing, 62% of companies pursue inclusion initiatives to be an employer of choice, while 60% do so to reflect the communities they operate in.

Despite these hopeful statistics, 37% of manufacturers admit to struggling with inclusion, with large companies (500+ employees) being more likely to both prioritize and admit to these struggles. Small and medium-sized manufacturers, often constrained by limited resources, may find it harder to develop comprehensive strategies. Companies like Bewel demonstrate that thoughtful integration of technology can help bridge these gaps.

By 2030, an estimated 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled if the skills gap is not adequately addressed. Manufacturers face a critical opportunity to close the skills gap, and they need to do so quickly.

Expanding career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities, is one of the most effective ways to close this skills gap. Companies that invest in inclusive hiring and upskilling strategies will be better positioned to build resilient and adaptable workforces.

If an operator doesn’t have to rely on a coach but instead gets support from a system like a tablet, that’s a big win. Everyone wants to work independently.

Benny Claes
Technology and Innovation Manager at Bewel

How Azumuta Supports Inclusion on the Shop Floor

Azumuta is designed to streamline production processes, making it easier for workers of all backgrounds and skill levels to perform their tasks effectively. While not specifically an adaptive or inclusion-focused tool, its features contribute to a more accessible and adaptable shop floor environment.

With visual, intuitive, step-by-step digital work instructions, workers have clear guidance, reducing the learning curve and minimizing errors. This is particularly beneficial for operators who may need additional support in executing tasks or who are working with unfamiliar processes. Azumuta also allows the user to adapt instructions to meet the specific skill level of individual employees.

Another way Azumuta supports inclusion is by enabling real-time feedback and quality control. Operators can flag issues or request assistance directly within the platform, ensuring that every worker has access to support when needed. This fosters an inclusive environment where workers feel confident in their roles and can contribute effectively to production goals.

By providing a structured yet flexible system, Azumuta helps manufacturers create a work environment where all employees, regardless of ability, can work efficiently and independently. The platform’s adaptability ensures that technology supports workforce inclusion without being limited to a specific industry or demographic.

Inclusion in Manufacturing

Bewel’s approach to an inclusive shop floor showcases how thoughtful investments in technology, training, and collaboration can make a difference in manufacturing. By equipping workers with digital tools and ensuring accessibility, Bewel creates an environment where every employee can contribute meaningfully to production processes.

Their structured, step-by-step approach ensures that no one is left behind. Creating a more inclusive shop floor requires more than just good intentions; it calls for practical solutions that enhance efficiency and engagement. When manufacturers prioritize structured training, adaptive workstations, and clear digital guidance, they not only support their workforce but also strengthen their operations.

Azumuta plays a role in this by offering digital solutions that streamline work processes, making them more accessible to diverse teams. By providing clear instructions, real-time feedback, and customizable interfaces, Azumuta helps manufacturers enhance efficiency while ensuring that all workers can perform their tasks effectively.

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A profile of an assembly operator is displayed on the left side, showing categories such as Pre-Assembly, Assembly, and Testing. Adjacent charts detail tasks like Cleaning, Assembly, Packaging, Pre-Assembly, and Testing, each with numerical values.
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