ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the introduction of computerised numerical control technology in the Belgian metal-working firms – and which from now on will be called VM firm and TW firm – in the context of rationalisation of production. For Belgian industry in general and for its metal-working branch in particular, the years since the first oil crisis of 1973 have been marked by widespread rationalization. The rationalisation of the Belgian economy thus has had many appearances. On a macro-level, one could say that a high number of bankruptcies and the closing down or drastic slimming of divisions of multinational corporations are the main indicators. TW management to follow a more 'technical' rationalisation logic with the first logic being concentrated on time and price calculations, and the second logic on technological production possibilities. TW is a mainly subcontracting firm, specialising in machine-part construction. Specific products which are made by TW include gears, speed reducers and accelerators and transmission elements.
