Accelerating Digitalisation Together: Highlights from the NAG ALV at Vanderlande 

We were warmly welcomed by our host, Vanderlande, whose world-class logistics automation environment offered a fitting setting for our discussions on innovation and transformation. A special thank you to Ghislaine Simon and Mark Lakerveld for their warm hospitality and for organising an excellent tour of the Vanderlande facilities. The visit offered valuable insights into their innovative operations. Our appreciation also goes to the four Vanderlande tour guides for their engaging and informative contributions.

Updates & Strategy
Director Paul Eijssen opened the assembly with a personal reflection on the last few months, marking a new beginning both in his professional journey and private life. He shared thoughts on recent developments within the organisation, including staff changes, strategic repositioning, and financial updates and spoke about the importance of expanding the NAG network. 

A key part of his message was welcoming five new member organisations (Lanza, KPMG NL Aviation advisory, TPRC, Pratt & Whitney and Materialise) to the NAG community. 

“Welcoming new members is a win-win”, said Paul Eijssen. “They gain access to a strong, established network and in turn, they help strengthen the ecosystem, bringing in new energy, expertise and also enabling us as an organisation to do more together”. 

This broader ecosystem not only boosts collaboration opportunities but also improves the collective capacity to deliver impactful programmes across the sector. Paul also outlined ongoing efforts to align more closely with LRN and rethink NAG’s strategic direction in response to current geopolitical and industry challenges.

Presenting the Nationaal Collectief Business Plan
During the General Assembly, Jan Verbeek officially handed over the Nationaal Collectief Business Plan to Paul Eijssen, marking a key milestone in the effort to strengthen collective innovation in the Dutch aerospace sector.

NAG members who are interested in exploring the full report and its recommendations are welcome to request a copy via wilma.pronk@nag.aero.

Radical Digitalisation
The keynote by Jeroen Broekhuijsen (TNO) on Radical Digitalisation in Aerospace sparked lively discussions and framed many of the later breakout conversations. 

“We keep talking about digitalisation, but most companies are still at the starting line. Radical change means acting, not just planning.” 

Jeroen highlighted common misconceptions around digitalisation, where companies often replicate old processes in digital form instead of transforming them entirely. He stressed that radical digitalisation is not just about tools and automation, but about rethinking workflows, culture and collaboration across the entire ecosystem. 

“Digital transformation won’t wait a decade. The real question is: how do we make it happen in five years instead of ten?” 

His presentation provided a sharp call to action, urging the industry to move beyond discussion and embrace system-level change, sooner rather than later.

Young NAG Engagement
The  also featured a dedicated Young NAG programme, designed to connect and inspire the next generation of professionals in aerospace. After joining the tour of Vanderlande, participants engaged in a focused deep-dive session on automation in the airport sector, hosted by Vanderlande experts. This session provided valuable insights into operational innovation and sparked a lively discussion on the future of airport logistics.

In the afternoon, Young NAG attendees actively took part in the main segment sessions alongside NAG members, contributing fresh perspectives and gaining hands-on exposure to industry challenges.  

Segment Sessions
A key highlight of the day was the segment sessions, where participants dove into sector-specific challenges and opportunities.

Manufacturing
Led by Arjen Buijze (GKN Aerospace, Fokker) and Jeroen Broekhuijsen, the session focused on overcoming barriers to automation and digitalisation. Key issues included outdated systems, fragmented data and certification bottlenecks. 

Takeaways: 

• Start Small: Begin with narrow-scope projects 
• Smart Procurement: Shift to partnership-based software models 
• Certification: Move to digital traceability across the supply chain 
• Data Visibility: Unlock internal company data 
• Digital Twins: Accelerate adoption 
• Beyond Automation: Prepare for new demands post-automation 
• Joint Action: Collaborate on certification, standardisation and lobbying via NAG 

MRO
Led by Edwin Poldermans (Fokker Services Group), with input from Jan Verbeek and Ivo van der Vlis, this session explored how digital transformation can enhance productivity, innovation and value chain integration. 

Main points: 

• Labour: Address skills shortages with training and technology 
• Markets: Growth potential in Asia and Africa 
• Business Models: Innovate and strengthen collaboration with OEMs and Defence 
• Technology: Emphasise predictive maintenance, digital documentation and remote support 

Takeaways: 

• Invest in automation and digital tools 
• Embrace paperless, digital-first operations 
• Scale for international markets 
• Work collectively across the ecosystem 

Airport Development
Led by Mark Lakerveld (Vanderlande), this session focused on how automation and digitalisation can improve efficiency, address labour shortages and strengthen market position. Key benefits included faster decision-making, better space utilisation and increased innovation. 

Takeaways: 

• Start Small: Build momentum gradually 
• Procurement: Shift to results-focused software partnerships 
• Certification: Modernise with digital traceability 
• Data Access: Make internal data accessible 
• Digital Twins: Prioritise adoption 
• Beyond Automation: Manage new operational demands 
• Joint Action: Collaborate on certification, standardisation, and lobbying via NAG

Next Steps
The outcomes of these sessions will now be used to shape the agenda of NAG’s segment working groups. We look forward to moving forward together with our members on these important topics.

Thank You
A heartfelt thanks to Vanderlande and in particular Ghislaine Simon and Mark Lakerveld, for hosting this event and offering an inspiring look behind the scenes. We also thank all presenters and segment leaders for their valuable contributions.

The day concluded with networking and drinks, the perfect setting to wrap up the day with meaningful conversations and new contacts.

Attachment

• Presentation Jeroen Boroekhuijsen

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