13/09/2023
Tom Munters joins HB Antwerp as R&D Director
HB Antwerp, a technology-driven mineral infrastructure company, today announced that Tom Munters has been appointed to the newly created role of R&D Director.
Research and development are central to HB’s innovative business model, which aims to revolutionize the diamond industry by creating a vertically integrated supply chain with data and technology infused into all aspects of a diamond’s journey from mine to consumer. Specifically, HB is focused on digitizing the entire value chain and enabling resources to be fully traceable, while embracing digitalization in its relationship with customers and integrating technology with traditional craftsmanship. Munters’ appointment as R&D Director will build on HB’s acquisition of the Antwerp Diamond Research Centre in 2019 and allow HB to accelerate its development of new technology that optimizes existing processes and unlocks new opportunities.
HB is creating a disruptive ecosystem that prioritizes fairness, an approach that aligns with the EU’s concept of Industry 5.0, which emphasizes the role of digitalization across time and over the value chain, while fostering prosperity for all stakeholders. By leveraging unique processing methods and advanced machinery, HB is pioneering a business model that can serve as a template to revolutionize other industries.
“I am excited to join the team at HB, a company I have long admired, and to play a part in its innovative culture and cement its position at the forefront of the minerals industry,” said Munters.“Antwerp’s diamond sector has a rich heritage, deeply rooted in craftsmanship, and I am looking forward to the challenge of growing HB’s R&D center and fostering innovation that can chart a new course for the diamond industry while preserving the time-honored craft of diamond polishing.”
“Innovation lies at the heart of HB’s mission to transform the mineral industry,” said HB Antwerp Co-founder and Managing Partner, Shai de Toledo. “Tom’s arrival aligns perfectly with our continuous expansion endeavors in the company. With extensive experience overseeing R&D programs at leading technology companies, coupled with his manufacturing expertise, Tom is well positioned to oversee our R&D center. I am confident that his contributions will prove invaluable as we continue to advance in our company’s evolution.”
Most recently, Munters was the Chief Technology Officer at Flanders Make, a research center that supports the development of manufacturing in Flanders, where he oversaw research strategy. Previously, he worked as the Global Director of Research, Development and Innovation at Key Technology – Duravant, a leading designer and manufacturer of digital sorting, inspection, conveying and processing equipment, and the Director of Innovation at Polyvision – Steelcase, a leading manufacturer of CeramicSteel surfaces. He began his career at Phillips, where he was a Product Development Manager.
About HB
Antwerp Founded in 2020, HB Antwerp is pioneering a mineral infrastructure that redefines the way minerals are sourced, transformed, and distributed. HB’s closed-loop ecosystem introduces a comprehensive digital trail across the complete value chain, from raw minerals to finished results, ensuring verifiable and immutable data.