Bert Faessen joined Koninklijke Metaalunie in 2016 and is responsible for over 40 independent Industry Associations and Knowledge Centres.
Bert is founder of Teqnow, one of the major knowledge centres that supports SME’s to be able to participate in het opportunities that the Industry 4.0 has to offer. Teqnow offers services, products, and activities aiming at improving the competitiveness of these industrial companies. The main themes are Digitization, Industrial Robotics, Additive Manufacturing / 3D (metal) printing, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Big Data, New Materials, Sensor Technology and Virtual Reality. The program started 3 years ago and has currently over 700 SME’s participating.
Prior to taking over his current role, Bert has held for the last 23 years various senior management positions in the European steel industry. He was, amongst others, responsible for (inter)national procurement, sales, strategic marketing and business development in various European countries.