Every year, the music festival Suikerrock draws legions of music aficionados to the sugar refinery grounds of Tiense Suiker, in Tienen, Belgium. What started in the late 1980s as a small, intimate affair, has since blossomed into one of Belgium’s most beloved and anticipated festivals. Breathing life into it year after year requires meticulous planning and organisation. Luckily, that’s exactly what we’re good at.
Planning a music festival is nothing short of exhilarating. The moment those first notes of the soundcheck reverberate across the festival grounds, we know every ounce of hard work has been worth it. Really, this is the driving force behind our long-standing collaboration with Suikerrock. Did you know Polytek CEO Werner Herbots has been part of the organisation for over two decades? Long before Polytek was founded, Werner was there, sketching 2D models of the site, laying the groundwork for what would become an example of logistical mastery.
But while it sure is fun, organising a music festival also comes with its own set of challenges. Every project has a deadline, but with a festival, there’s the added pressure of thousands of visitors descending upon the site on D-Day. Not being ready on time? That’s simply not an option. Also, the logistics are particularly complicated, with deliveries from hundreds of different suppliers converging in perfectly choreographed chaos.
Fortunately, we love a challenge almost as much as we love the music. And so, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. By 3D-scanning the site and continuously refining the virtual model over the years, we’ve crafted something akin to a digital twin of the Suikerrock festival grounds. This allows us to meticulously plan and optimise every facet of the festival setup. We simulate the flow of thousands of attendees and map out the intricate web of temporary infrastructure that makes up the entire festival—from the stages and sound systems to the lighting rigs and food vendors.
And that’s not all. With VR technology, we were able to take a virtual walk through the festival grounds and identify potential issues before a single tent peg is driven into the earth. Can you actually see the stage from the tribune? Does the line at the bar interfere with the line for the toilets? Is the backstage or VIP area truly hidden from view as planned, or do we need to rethink the layout? Organising a music festival is never easy, but with the right tools, we tackle these challenges head-on.
What’s particularly thrilling is knowing we'll keep pushing the boundaries of this 'digital twin,' year after year, making each Suikerrock festival outshine the last. In the near future, our simulations will grow even more adept, proactively preparing for a myriad of emergencies and making real-time decisions based on the whims of the Belgian weather.
Year after year, we ward off surprises on the big day. The grounds are ready on time, the stages are set, drinks flow freely, and music echoes across the sugar refinery site, transforming it into a living, breathing entity. And when the final applause fades into the night, we know we’ve been a part of something special. Then, we start plotting for next year, with the same passion and precision as ever.
Want to see our work in action and catch the best acts of the moment? Visit www.suikerrock.be and experience the magic of Suikerrock for yourself!
We work closely with clients from the very beginning. That way, we know exactly what you need, you feel heard and supported, and we can use our collective skills to solve the puzzle. This is a team effort, and a strong start is half the battle.
By focusing on digital processes, we minimise waste, optimise resources, and reduce the ecological footprint of industrial projects. Also, we design for longevity. By making sure everything is well-made and well-maintained, we reduce the need for renovations or replacements.
Industrial projects are complex and rely on many variables. Challenges and questions are bound to arise. Our project managers are here to guide you through it all, with expert advice, troubleshooting, and, if necessary, just a bit of tough love.
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