About us
The story behind Centif
How expertise, entrepreneurship, and ambition came together in Centif.
Establishment of Centif
Centif was founded in 2022 by two experienced entrepreneurs with a passion for industrial automation and digitalization. After many years of gaining experience in the sector, the conviction grew that things could be done differently and better: with more flexibility, shorter communication lines and a strong focus on quality. With that vision, they decided to join forces and write their own story.
Opening office Rijkevorsel
At the beginning of June, we opened the doors of our office in Rijkevorsel. With six eager engineers and a shared ambition, we got started. It was a challenging period during which everything still had to be built, but at the same time, it was a fantastic time full of entrepreneurship, learning opportunities and beautiful first projects.
A year of momentum
Between June 2022 and June 2023, Centif grew from six to ten employees. This strong organic growth was driven by an increasing number of projects and the trust that clients placed in us. What started as a small team of dedicated engineers quickly evolved into an organization with more expertise, capacity and impact. Market demand increased, new opportunities arose and the foundation for further growth was established.
Acquisition of ECJ Automation
In early 2025, Centif took an important step in its growth story with the acquisition of ECJ Automation from Gierle. This decision was more than just an expansion; it was a deliberate choice to bring together complementary expertise, experienced people, and a strong customer base. With the arrival of ECJ, Centif strengthened its position in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, energy and water treatment, making it possible to tackle even larger and more complex projects. At the same time, the headquarters moved to Gierle, where both teams will now continue to build one strong story together.
Centif expands to Lisbon
In early 2025, Centif took another important step by opening an office in Lisbon, Portugal. The idea had been alive within the company for some time and was even explored as part of a master's thesis at the University of Antwerp. The conclusions were convincing and confirmed our feeling that Portugal is an ideal base for further growth. What started as an ambitious plan has now become a reality and today marks a new milestone in the story of Centif.
A new chapter in Gierle
In April 2025, Centif established itself in its new headquarters in Gierle. The building, which was previously used by ECJ, offered significantly more space and better facilities. Today, we have modern office spaces, several meeting rooms and our own workshop for electrical engineering and cabinet construction. An environment that not only makes daily work more pleasant but also supports the further development of Centif.
Where we stand today
Today, Centif has nearly 30 engineers who dedicate themselves every day to making industrial processes smarter, more efficient, and future-proof. We are proud of the growth we have experienced since our founding, but we see this primarily as a confirmation of the trust that our customers and employees place in us.
Over the years, we have built a strong position in various sectors. Today, we are active in the pharmaceutical industry, food industry, steel industry, chemicals, water treatment and other manufacturing environments. This broad experience enables us to apply knowledge and best practices across sectors and to develop tailored solutions for each client.
The motivations behind Centif
What motivates us, what we stand for and how we create value for our customers
Vision
At Centif, we believe that industrial automation and digitalization are essential levers for sustainable growth. In a rapidly changing industrial environment, we aim to help companies make their production processes smarter, more efficient and future-proof. We strive to be a reliable partner that not only implements solutions but also actively thinks along with the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Our vision is based on continuous progress. That is why we develop flexible and scalable concepts that can grow alongside the ambitions of our clients. We are convinced that technology only truly creates value when it supports people, strengthens processes and enables organizations to continue innovating, becoming more sustainable and excelling.
Mission
Centif supports industrial companies in achieving their automation and digitization goals. With a team of dedicated specialists, we design and implement user-friendly solutions that make production environments more reliable, efficient and safer. In doing so, we strive for an optimal balance between performance, flexibility and ease of use.
Our mission is to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of installations and machinery fleets while maximizing the Return on Investment (ROI). By minimizing downtime, increasing uptime and optimizing energy consumption, we help our customers get the most out of their machines, people and resources. This creates room for further investments in innovation, sustainability and talent development.