BEST OF BELGIUM - Volume 1

BEST OF BELGIUM

B E S T

O F

BELGIUM Volume

Volume 1

Juwelen RAYJO – Rijfstraat, 6 – 2018 Antwerpen – t: 0031-3-232.31.95 – f: 0031-3-225.27.65 – e: info@rayjo.be – w: www.rayjo.be

1

B E S T

O F

BELGIUM

“The time is ripe for a celebration of Belgian achievement…”

Welcome to the first volume of ‘Best of Belgium,’ in which we celebrate this nation’s contemporary achievement in the arts, fashion, design, business and innovation. The time is evidently ripe for this publication.

International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester Publisher and Editor Frank Boermeester Sales & Marketing Director Koen Christiaens Media Consultant Danaë Van de Bosche

For one, there are plenty of good stories to tell. More than ten consecutive years of economic growth have created an environment where Belgian companies and individuals are achieving remarkable things in their fields, creating novel forms of performing art, innovating new technologies, creating uniquely Belgian fashion brands, and maintaining our well-deserved reputation in fine foods, chocolates and off course beer.

Secondly, ‘Best of Belgium’ meets a need for what we call a collaborative marketing effort. Whether in the arts, fashion or business, practically all Belgian achievement is internationally focused. In this publication Belgian achievers worked together to bring their unique stories to all corners of the earth. As publishers we also express our gratitude to Brussels Export, Flanders Investment & Trade, AWEX (Walloon Export Agency), the Federal Agency for Foreign Trade (organizer of the royal trade missions) and the Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs for their support in distributing this publication around the world. ‘Best of Belgium’ will also go out to our colleagues in the Global Village Partnerships network, from Dubai and Singapore to Australia and South Africa.

In the years ahead, ‘Best of Belgium’ will continue to tell stories of Belgian achievement, relying on the fact that Belgium is not part of ‘old Europe’ but is representative of a dynamic, creative Europe, a beacon of liberal democracy and social justice, where individuals have the space and inspiration to create that which makes our world a better place, be it in the realm of technology, art or ideas.

As a membership organization, The Fifth Conference is the next step in this endeavor by extending cooperation in international marketing to cooperation in ideas and management practice. In 2008, members of The Fifth Conference will participate not only in ‘Best of Belgium’ but also around four strategic management studies and a key networking event bringing together Belgian achievers from diverse disciplines—where art meets science and economics.

Printing Daneels Graphic Group Creative Direction Outline Graphics Vanessa Embrechts Mieke Stymans Photography Douglas Moors Walter Boermeester

Tervuursesteenweg 133/2 3001 Leuven Belgium Tel: +32 16 233669 Fax: +32 16 292095 Email fboermeester@thefifthconference.com kchristiaens@thefifthconference.com Website www.thefifthconference.com www.GlobalVillageProduct.com Published by The Fifth Conference bvba

ISBN # 9789079056019

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the Best of Belgium vol.1 publication.

Neither Best of Belgium nor The Fifth Conference bvba take any responsibility for errors or omissions.

All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means.

This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

Best of Belgium

Chapters Best of Belgium

162-173 Chapter 9

Chapter 8

178-185 Chapter 11

Chapter 10

60-77

218-235 Chapter 13

Chapter 12

186-217

88-101

252-264

Chapter 14 Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

Property & Real Estate

Chapter 15

236-251

134-149

Innovation

Events & Services

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Chapter 7

Chapter 6

102-133

Dining & Hospitality

International Schooling

Open for Business

Design

Chapter 5

Chapter 4

78-87

Diamonds

Sports, Health & Beauty

Homes & Interiors

Fashion

Chapter 3

Chapter 2

34-59

Arts

174-177

BELGIUM

12-33

O F

Chapter 1

B E S T

Beers & Brewing 150-161

Best of Belgium

Chapters Best of Belgium

162-173 Chapter 9

Chapter 8

178-185 Chapter 11

Chapter 10

60-77

218-235 Chapter 13

Chapter 12

186-217

88-101

252-264

Chapter 14 Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

Property & Real Estate

Chapter 15

236-251

134-149

Innovation

Events & Services

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Chapter 7

Chapter 6

102-133

Dining & Hospitality

International Schooling

Open for Business

Design

Chapter 5

Chapter 4

78-87

Diamonds

Sports, Health & Beauty

Homes & Interiors

Fashion

Chapter 3

Chapter 2

34-59

Arts

174-177

BELGIUM

12-33

O F

Chapter 1

B E S T

Beers & Brewing 150-161

Best of Belgium

Global Village Partnerships Celebrating Success

“New Media and the speed of information flow has changed the way companies do business forever. Now, its not only the big boys who can enjoy a multinational reach; the same opportunities are available to SME’s too. This acting as a vehicle for their growth is what we are about” Matt says.

As the prominence of the ‘global village’ unfolds, making the world a smaller and more connected place, technology and the internet play a greater role in powering Marshall McLuhan’s prophetic theory: Fragmentary individualism gives way to a collective global identity.

Matt Davis, Regional Director, GVP

Lisa Durante, Managing Partner, GVP Charles Neil, Partner, GVP

“With regional head offices in every continent, the organisation currently boasts 20 territories where the ‘Best of’ series is published. We have a threeyear growth plan to develop a further 120 territories organically through each continent’s regional head office, and through partnerships with companies as well as individuals that have the local know-how of their given region”.

Sven Boermeester, Chairman, GVP

The media and cultural transformation that McLuhan diagnosed in the Sixties is increasingly relevant in the 21st Century, as is the challenge to explain how the ability to reach niche markets can create exciting business opportunities. ‘You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. We have chosen to keep it simple by creating a communication medium where individuals, companies and governments can share and promote their success stories through our extended network. Conceived according to this basic premise, Global Village Partnerships (GVP) takes the realm of PR and Marketing to new horizons. We have created a business model that takes advantage of how print and electronic mass media integration allows people to relate and cooperate on a worldwide scale. In this sense, the globe has been turned into a village, removing barriers of time and space’, explains Sven Boermeester, Chairman, GVP. The companies’ first and increasingly successful exploration into this idea is through the creation of the ‘Best of’ global book series which is forging a rapid international presence as an elegant access to business, tourism and lifestyles across each continent. The editorial model is simple yet sharp and written as exclusive feature articles in a pictorially appealing format, the ‘Best of’ series produces annual publications in territories as diverse as Bangkok, Bangalore, Belgium and Las Vegas. “Detailing success stories of people and companies making positive inroads into the commercial fibre of both mature and emerging markets not only supports entrepreneurial spirit, it also bridges cultures, establishes powerful global networks and creates individual brand awareness in competitive markets worldwide”, Sven explains.

“Ours is a progressive formula designed to identify and enhance corporate integrity and adaptability, with a globalised business model that has broken with tradition and has re-engineered the process of maximizing opportunities”, says Matt Davis, Regional Director GVP.

Trends in Globalisation include an increased worldwide movement of commodities, money, information and people as well as the enhancement of technology, organizations, legal systems and infrastructures to allow for this movement. From publishing to specialist consulting, the framework of the GVP’s collective strategy is underscored by worldwide interaction that increases exponentially so as to allow participants to gain competitive advantage by forging relationships and opening new markets”, explains Charles Neil, Partner GVP. ‘By focusing on quality and innovation, the creation of fresh global opportunities is a testament to this pioneering style of business where worldwide networking is at the core and productivity that comes to life through technology, media and services, is the vehicle for growth”, he adds.

In the same way that the global village has the potential to create a problem-solving world-wide forum, enabling a new sense of world community, so too does GVP. By creating a strong corporate culture based on expertise, continuous appraisal and recognised ‘reputation capital’, the way forward for GVP is unequivocal. “Building strong economic ties attracts investment that allows entry into strategic partnerships that achieve global results” Matt says. “We are working hard to improve the globalisation experience by building our services to address our client’s needs as they evolve. Ultimately we see ourselves as a services, publishing and consulting tool that anticipates the needs of our vast client base in every region”.

On a corporate level, GVP recognizes the need for inclusive management, equally distributing empowered leadership to employees and partners alike in a decentralised entity with corporate hubs. Everyone is therefore responsible for setting the mission and designing the architecture of the organisation, in line with the vision of creating global business opportunities in diverse economies without boundaries.

Matt feels that the world business community is dependent on more than monetary profit for its growth. ”Core values such as integrity and Corporate Social Responsibility at the organizational level are long-term values of the GVP brand that resonate with the organisation’s multi-tiered client base who are looking to join forces with us in this new generation business and marketing model”, he concludes. www.GlobalVillageProduct.com

REGIONAL HEAD OFFICES • Bangalore

• Bangkok

• Brussels

• Cairo

• Copenhagen

10

Best of Belgium

• Dubai

Best of Belgium

• Johannesburg

11

• Las Vegas

• Singapore

• Sydney

Global Village Partnerships Celebrating Success

“New Media and the speed of information flow has changed the way companies do business forever. Now, its not only the big boys who can enjoy a multinational reach; the same opportunities are available to SME’s too. This acting as a vehicle for their growth is what we are about” Matt says.

As the prominence of the ‘global village’ unfolds, making the world a smaller and more connected place, technology and the internet play a greater role in powering Marshall McLuhan’s prophetic theory: Fragmentary individualism gives way to a collective global identity.

Matt Davis, Regional Director, GVP

Lisa Durante, Managing Partner, GVP Charles Neil, Partner, GVP

“With regional head offices in every continent, the organisation currently boasts 20 territories where the ‘Best of’ series is published. We have a threeyear growth plan to develop a further 120 territories organically through each continent’s regional head office, and through partnerships with companies as well as individuals that have the local know-how of their given region”.

Sven Boermeester, Chairman, GVP

The media and cultural transformation that McLuhan diagnosed in the Sixties is increasingly relevant in the 21st Century, as is the challenge to explain how the ability to reach niche markets can create exciting business opportunities. ‘You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. We have chosen to keep it simple by creating a communication medium where individuals, companies and governments can share and promote their success stories through our extended network. Conceived according to this basic premise, Global Village Partnerships (GVP) takes the realm of PR and Marketing to new horizons. We have created a business model that takes advantage of how print and electronic mass media integration allows people to relate and cooperate on a worldwide scale. In this sense, the globe has been turned into a village, removing barriers of time and space’, explains Sven Boermeester, Chairman, GVP. The companies’ first and increasingly successful exploration into this idea is through the creation of the ‘Best of’ global book series which is forging a rapid international presence as an elegant access to business, tourism and lifestyles across each continent. The editorial model is simple yet sharp and written as exclusive feature articles in a pictorially appealing format, the ‘Best of’ series produces annual publications in territories as diverse as Bangkok, Bangalore, Belgium and Las Vegas. “Detailing success stories of people and companies making positive inroads into the commercial fibre of both mature and emerging markets not only supports entrepreneurial spirit, it also bridges cultures, establishes powerful global networks and creates individual brand awareness in competitive markets worldwide”, Sven explains.

“Ours is a progressive formula designed to identify and enhance corporate integrity and adaptability, with a globalised business model that has broken with tradition and has re-engineered the process of maximizing opportunities”, says Matt Davis, Regional Director GVP.

Trends in Globalisation include an increased worldwide movement of commodities, money, information and people as well as the enhancement of technology, organizations, legal systems and infrastructures to allow for this movement. From publishing to specialist consulting, the framework of the GVP’s collective strategy is underscored by worldwide interaction that increases exponentially so as to allow participants to gain competitive advantage by forging relationships and opening new markets”, explains Charles Neil, Partner GVP. ‘By focusing on quality and innovation, the creation of fresh global opportunities is a testament to this pioneering style of business where worldwide networking is at the core and productivity that comes to life through technology, media and services, is the vehicle for growth”, he adds.

In the same way that the global village has the potential to create a problem-solving world-wide forum, enabling a new sense of world community, so too does GVP. By creating a strong corporate culture based on expertise, continuous appraisal and recognised ‘reputation capital’, the way forward for GVP is unequivocal. “Building strong economic ties attracts investment that allows entry into strategic partnerships that achieve global results” Matt says. “We are working hard to improve the globalisation experience by building our services to address our client’s needs as they evolve. Ultimately we see ourselves as a services, publishing and consulting tool that anticipates the needs of our vast client base in every region”.

On a corporate level, GVP recognizes the need for inclusive management, equally distributing empowered leadership to employees and partners alike in a decentralised entity with corporate hubs. Everyone is therefore responsible for setting the mission and designing the architecture of the organisation, in line with the vision of creating global business opportunities in diverse economies without boundaries.

Matt feels that the world business community is dependent on more than monetary profit for its growth. ”Core values such as integrity and Corporate Social Responsibility at the organizational level are long-term values of the GVP brand that resonate with the organisation’s multi-tiered client base who are looking to join forces with us in this new generation business and marketing model”, he concludes. www.GlobalVillageProduct.com

REGIONAL HEAD OFFICES • Bangalore

• Bangkok

• Brussels

• Cairo

• Copenhagen

10

Best of Belgium

• Dubai

Best of Belgium

• Johannesburg

11

• Las Vegas

• Singapore

• Sydney

Therefore search and see if there is not some place where you may invest your humanity.

Albert Schweitzer

Photography: Walter Boermeester

Chapter 1 Best of Belgium

Therefore search and see if there is not some place where you may invest your humanity.

Albert Schweitzer

Photography: Walter Boermeester

Chapter 1 Best of Belgium

Foreword

By Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt

“Of all the Gauls the Belgians are the boldest,� wrote Julius Caesar in the first chapter of his De Bello Gallico. You will not often hear the Belgians paraphrasing the assertion. They would have expected Caesar to write that of all people they are the most unassuming. Yet I hazard to assert that there is a kernel of truth in the Roman’s sally. Belgians are hard-working and tough. I have often heard it confirmed by foreign CEOs. We probably also have the best beer and the most divine chocolate. But there is much more.

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In the nineteenth century, Belgium, with the first railway-line on the mainland and with its industrial innovations, was already the economic tiger on the European continent. Today our country has a flourishing diamond industry in Antwerp, and is also making headway in the biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors. Our universities, some of which date back to the Middle Ages, have developed into modern knowledge centres collaborating with industry.

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In the history books, on the other hand, our country is chiefly known as the battlefield of Europe: Waterloo, the IJzer plain, the Battle of the Bulge... The Austrians, the French, the Dutch and the Spanish have ruled our lands. In Europe, historically, we have been a well-wooed bride.

Today Belgium has not lost any of its power of attraction; happily, things are just going on more peacefully. We are no longer the battlefield of Europe, but its negotiating table. The fact that the European institutions and NATO have Belgium as home base is no accident. For international organisations thrive in the land of many cultures that is ours. Little Belgium combines in itself both the Germanic and the Latin cultures. It is the cross-pollination of these two European ways of living that makes our country the laboratory of Europe.

Belgium not only leads an exciting existence as a diplomatic nexus; it also has a rich cultural history.

Think only of the masterpieces of old and new artists such as Jan Van Eyck, Pieter-Paul Rubens and Luc Tuymans. You can visit historical buildings and places where the great names of history, like Erasmus, walked about. Mediaeval Gothic art, Art Nouveau and modernistic architecture rub shoulders in Belgium.

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And for those who are still on the look-out for the “bold, combative Belgians� there is also sport, where our country is represented at the highest levels by great names such as Eddy Merckx, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.

I therefore welcome this book, the Best of Belgium. It allows you to find the best of Belgium without having to look too far. Indeed, you will find it on every page.

Guy Verhofstadt

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Best of Belgium

15

Foreword

By Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of all the Gauls the Belgians are the boldest,â&#x20AC;? wrote Julius Caesar in the first chapter of his De Bello Gallico. You will not often hear the Belgians paraphrasing the assertion. They would have expected Caesar to write that of all people they are the most unassuming. Yet I hazard to assert that there is a kernel of truth in the Romanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sally. Belgians are hard-working and tough. I have often heard it confirmed by foreign CEOs. We probably also have the best beer and the most divine chocolate. But there is much more.

GZ\jaVidgn 6[[V^gh 8dchjbZg 6[[V^gh Eda^i^XVa 6Yk^XZ AdWWn^c\ ;^cVcX^Va 8dbbjc^XVi^dch EjWa^X GZaVi^dch GZegZhZciVi^dc EjWa^X 6[[V^gh B 6

F7 ;khef[

F7 Hkii_W F7 C_ZZb[ ;Wij

In the nineteenth century, Belgium, with the first railway-line on the mainland and with its industrial innovations, was already the economic tiger on the European continent. Today our country has a flourishing diamond industry in Antwerp, and is also making headway in the biotechnology and nanotechnology sectors. Our universities, some of which date back to the Middle Ages, have developed into modern knowledge centres collaborating with industry.

F7 ;khef[ F7 7i_W

;gVc`a^chigVVi &%+"&%&%%% 7gjhhZah 7Za\^jb I/ (' % ' ,(* -( .+ ;/ (' % ' ,(* -) ++ ^c[d@eV"ZjgdeZ#Xdb

In the history books, on the other hand, our country is chiefly known as the battlefield of Europe: Waterloo, the IJzer plain, the Battle of the Bulge... The Austrians, the French, the Dutch and the Spanish have ruled our lands. In Europe, historically, we have been a well-wooed bride.

Today Belgium has not lost any of its power of attraction; happily, things are just going on more peacefully. We are no longer the battlefield of Europe, but its negotiating table. The fact that the European institutions and NATO have Belgium as home base is no accident. For international organisations thrive in the land of many cultures that is ours. Little Belgium combines in itself both the Germanic and the Latin cultures. It is the cross-pollination of these two European ways of living that makes our country the laboratory of Europe.

Belgium not only leads an exciting existence as a diplomatic nexus; it also has a rich cultural history.

Think only of the masterpieces of old and new artists such as Jan Van Eyck, Pieter-Paul Rubens and Luc Tuymans. You can visit historical buildings and places where the great names of history, like Erasmus, walked about. Mediaeval Gothic art, Art Nouveau and modernistic architecture rub shoulders in Belgium.

mmm$fW#[khef[$Yec

And for those who are still on the look-out for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bold, combative Belgiansâ&#x20AC;? there is also sport, where our country is represented at the highest levels by great names such as Eddy Merckx, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.

I therefore welcome this book, the Best of Belgium. It allows you to find the best of Belgium without having to look too far. Indeed, you will find it on every page.

Guy Verhofstadt

7iieY_Wj[Z e\\_Y[i _d 8[_`_d]" >ed] Aed]" @WaWhjW" B`kXb`WdW" CeiYem" CkiYWj" FhW]k[" J^[ >W]k[ WdZ MWi^_d]jed E6 : j gd e Z X d c i ^ c j Z h i ] Z f j V a ^ i n V c Y Y Z Y ^ X V i ^ d c d [ E g V V c ^ c \ B Z ^ c Z h 8 d c h j a i V c X n < gd j e C # K# $ H # 6 # V c Y ^ h c d l e V g i d [ V \ a d W V a c Z i l d g ` d [ Z a Y Z g h i V i Z h b Z c ! Y ^ e a d b V i h V c Y e gd [ Z h h ^ d c V a h

Best of Belgium

15

Best of Belgium

PA Europe Tailor-Made Solutions

Brussels Located in the very heart of Europe at the crossroads between Paris, Amsterdam, London and Frankfurt, Brussels is a City Region (one of the three Regions within the Belgian Federal State) of one million inhabitants; the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium; and the headquarters of the French and Flemish speaking Communities.

Baron Paul De Keersmaeker, Chairman

Where does PA Europe fit in: business or politics?

Both. PA Europe operates as an interface between business, politics, diplomacy and civil society. The company works through a wide network of Elder Statesmen, former European Commissioners and corporate leaders, while maintaining close ties with environmental, consumer and patient groups. We believe in winwin solutions. Our approach is to find common ground through research and to develop common understandings through our experienced advisers.

Baron Paul De Keersmaeker is former Minister of Agriculture & European Affairs and former Member of the European Parliament.

He is among the few Europeans who used to have top positions in both Government and multinational enterprises, including

What services does PA Europe provide?

First of all we research in-depth any issue through a political prism. This ‘unbundling’ of interests, insights and ambitions helps us re-configure the lay of the land. New alliances and allies are identified. This helps our clients find new inroads and arguments as part of a well-organised communication process. And of course it is a difference if you enter a Government building as an industry or as a former Minister, Ambassador or indeed a senior editor.

This helps our clients re-tailor and reintegrate their positions and messages.

Of course each issue and each set of circumstances requires a different solution – our strength is that we combine all elements seamlessly.

to The Hague; how we assisted major take-overs in different sectors – both as strategy and regulatory advisers; how we introduced new products in difficult markets; how we kept open a key energy facility in Belgium; how we helped build ports and terminals.

Etcetera.

What can we expect from PA Europe in the near future?

Our practice in the developing world and particularly in Asia has demonstrated the requirement to align profitability for our clients with care for the environment and civic society. Through a new and dedicated company, PA CSR, we provide Corporate Social Responsibility audits, strategy, and on the ground operations to multinational corporations globally.

Lamin Sise, former Director for Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Special Assignments in the Executive Office of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, is its Chief Executive Officer that combines all our networks, finance capacity, facilities and experiences in a new seamless group to assist Corporate leaders in finding an effective and transparent way towards the hearts and minds of the community where they choose to work. Call our Managing Partner, Rio Praaning, at +32 2 735 83 96, and he and his colleagues in all parts of the world will be pleased to assist you.

Inbev, KBC Bank and Suez-Tractebel. Baron De Keersmaeker is involved in various academic and cultural initiatives as Honorary Chairman of Vlerick Management School Alumni, Chairman of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation, Chairman of Europalia International and Chairman of the American European Community Association. He is equally appreciated by the Flemish and French speaking communities. Baron De Keersmaeker became Chairman of PA International and PA Europe in 2004 after several years of cooperation with PA in the Mergers & Acquisitions area.

Baron De Keersmaeker introduces this unique company.

What is PA Europe’s business philosophy?

We approach any subject from the perspective of each major stakeholder.

This avoids loss of time through misinterpretations, wrong targets and a mistaken timeline. In a recent article in Trends our activities on all continents were ‘checked’. It concluded we are in tune and in sync with the environments where we work. That explains why we usually win our cases.

So our philosophy is to connect, and if the connections fail, to invent another bridge. This is how we brought the UN Chemical Weapons Organisation

Well-known as the Capital of Europe, Brussels hosts several international institutions (the European Commission, the Council of the EU, NATO,…) and numerous diplomatic representations.

www.pa-europe.com

But Brussels is also a major business location where more than 2,000 foreign companies and over 1,000 international organisations are established; as well as an important international exhibition centre and the second congress centre in the world with more than 16,000 business seminars organized every year.

Mostly based on services and innovative companies, the economy is characterized by its high value-added activities, which enabled, together with the presence of many headquarters and 60 foreign banks on its territory, Brussels to become the seventh financial market in the world.

As almost a third of its inhabitants are foreigners or of foreign origin the Brussels-Capital Region has been enabled to extend its long-lasting

16

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

17

cosmopolitan tradition. As a bilingual (French/Dutch) city where English is widely spoken, Brussels is a hospitable place for all nationalities.

It is also a place where the quality of life is more than just a few words: numerous restaurants with an outstanding cuisine, great shopping malls, galleries, museums, theatres, green areas…

Now you understand why foreigners living here say that Brussels is Europe’s best kept secret !

Best of Belgium

PA Europe Tailor-Made Solutions

Brussels Located in the very heart of Europe at the crossroads between Paris, Amsterdam, London and Frankfurt, Brussels is a City Region (one of the three Regions within the Belgian Federal State) of one million inhabitants; the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium; and the headquarters of the French and Flemish speaking Communities.

Baron Paul De Keersmaeker, Chairman

Where does PA Europe fit in: business or politics?

Both. PA Europe operates as an interface between business, politics, diplomacy and civil society. The company works through a wide network of Elder Statesmen, former European Commissioners and corporate leaders, while maintaining close ties with environmental, consumer and patient groups. We believe in winwin solutions. Our approach is to find common ground through research and to develop common understandings through our experienced advisers.

Baron Paul De Keersmaeker is former Minister of Agriculture & European Affairs and former Member of the European Parliament.

He is among the few Europeans who used to have top positions in both Government and multinational enterprises, including

What services does PA Europe provide?

First of all we research in-depth any issue through a political prism. This ‘unbundling’ of interests, insights and ambitions helps us re-configure the lay of the land. New alliances and allies are identified. This helps our clients find new inroads and arguments as part of a well-organised communication process. And of course it is a difference if you enter a Government building as an industry or as a former Minister, Ambassador or indeed a senior editor.

This helps our clients re-tailor and reintegrate their positions and messages.

Of course each issue and each set of circumstances requires a different solution – our strength is that we combine all elements seamlessly.

to The Hague; how we assisted major take-overs in different sectors – both as strategy and regulatory advisers; how we introduced new products in difficult markets; how we kept open a key energy facility in Belgium; how we helped build ports and terminals.

Etcetera.

What can we expect from PA Europe in the near future?

Our practice in the developing world and particularly in Asia has demonstrated the requirement to align profitability for our clients with care for the environment and civic society. Through a new and dedicated company, PA CSR, we provide Corporate Social Responsibility audits, strategy, and on the ground operations to multinational corporations globally.

Lamin Sise, former Director for Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Special Assignments in the Executive Office of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, is its Chief Executive Officer that combines all our networks, finance capacity, facilities and experiences in a new seamless group to assist Corporate leaders in finding an effective and transparent way towards the hearts and minds of the community where they choose to work. Call our Managing Partner, Rio Praaning, at +32 2 735 83 96, and he and his colleagues in all parts of the world will be pleased to assist you.

Inbev, KBC Bank and Suez-Tractebel. Baron De Keersmaeker is involved in various academic and cultural initiatives as Honorary Chairman of Vlerick Management School Alumni, Chairman of the Kofi Annan Business School Foundation, Chairman of Europalia International and Chairman of the American European Community Association. He is equally appreciated by the Flemish and French speaking communities. Baron De Keersmaeker became Chairman of PA International and PA Europe in 2004 after several years of cooperation with PA in the Mergers & Acquisitions area.

Baron De Keersmaeker introduces this unique company.

What is PA Europe’s business philosophy?

We approach any subject from the perspective of each major stakeholder.

This avoids loss of time through misinterpretations, wrong targets and a mistaken timeline. In a recent article in Trends our activities on all continents were ‘checked’. It concluded we are in tune and in sync with the environments where we work. That explains why we usually win our cases.

So our philosophy is to connect, and if the connections fail, to invent another bridge. This is how we brought the UN Chemical Weapons Organisation

Well-known as the Capital of Europe, Brussels hosts several international institutions (the European Commission, the Council of the EU, NATO,…) and numerous diplomatic representations.

www.pa-europe.com

But Brussels is also a major business location where more than 2,000 foreign companies and over 1,000 international organisations are established; as well as an important international exhibition centre and the second congress centre in the world with more than 16,000 business seminars organized every year.

Mostly based on services and innovative companies, the economy is characterized by its high value-added activities, which enabled, together with the presence of many headquarters and 60 foreign banks on its territory, Brussels to become the seventh financial market in the world.

As almost a third of its inhabitants are foreigners or of foreign origin the Brussels-Capital Region has been enabled to extend its long-lasting

16

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

17

cosmopolitan tradition. As a bilingual (French/Dutch) city where English is widely spoken, Brussels is a hospitable place for all nationalities.

It is also a place where the quality of life is more than just a few words: numerous restaurants with an outstanding cuisine, great shopping malls, galleries, museums, theatres, green areas…

Now you understand why foreigners living here say that Brussels is Europe’s best kept secret !

Best of Belgium

Dear reader, I simply must introduce you to Flanders…

Making the Most of an Exceptional Location Wallonia has everything it takes to face up to the challenges of our time. The Walloons hold all the cards for reviving their past economic vigour and prosperity.

…not just because I am proud to be Minister-President of this prosperous European region, but because its thriving and diversified economy at the very heart of Europe boasts all the assets required to maintain its success and to safeguard future growth and prosperity.

among which the one in Liège is the second major European inland port, with over 20 million tonnes of traffic passing through it each year.

Wallonia is also well endowed with railways, and it has the densest motorway network in the world. Belgium has 4.78 km of road per square kilometre, compared to Germany’s 1.77 and France’s 1.62. What’s more, our motorways are lit up at night! It is rumoured that only two human creations are visible on Earth from space, the Great Wall of China and Belgium’s motorways; ask NASA to check next time!

For centuries, Flanders has stood at the crossroads of different cultures and new ideas.

Open minded; densely populated and with foreign markets just round the corner, Flanders features prominently as a trial market for companies seeking to roll out their products across Europe.

Reaching out, crossing borders Furthermore, companies looking to invest in Flanders are offered a host of business benefits, like access to leading-edge clusters of companies, research institutes… developing and supporting the appropriate synergies in both R&D and product innovation.

Or the unique tax regime we have in place for foreign companies and which has been ranked among the world’s best by a variety of global taxation surveys.

Flanders is home to a vast number of exporting companies, whose combined exports amounted to an impressive EUR 171.6 (no less than 98,6% of our GDP) in 2005. Among the leading industries with a proven export achievement record are the chemical, pharmaceutical and automotive industries, to mention but a few. No wonder our region has secured an ever-increasing share of world trade.

Over the past decade, Flanders has done extremely well in terms of export growth, coming second only to an economic growth success like China.

Aiming for the future Why not catch a glimpse of a rapidly-expanding Flanders? I am in no doubt that you will be amazed by the way we run things in our knowledgebased, innovation-driven economy and its vibrant, internationally-oriented business environment.

Taking centre stage Located at the crossroads of the European economy, Flanders’ high-quality transport infrastructure by land, sea and air provides outstanding connectivity, not just with its neighbouring countries but far beyond, throughout the entire European hinterland.

Central to our strategy is to provide companies, foreign and Flanders-based alike, with a head start in their respective markets, in a bid to create a future proof Flanders consolidating its economic role on a global scale.

Seaports, airports, road and rail networks therefore continue to be key factors, confirming the role of Flanders as a prime investment location for the logistics industry.

Yves Leterme Minister-President of Flanders

Sincerely,

18

Best of Belgium

In the first place, we are located exceptionally well from a geographical point of view. Wallonia lies at the centre of Europe’s great economic hubs; London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Rotterdam and Luxemburg are all less than 300 km away.

Wallonia also borders the three capitals of Europe (Brussels, Strasburg and Luxemburg).

And, alongside Brussels, it is the home of many international institutions and businesses; NATO has its headquarters in Brussels, and the European headquarters – SHAPE – are located near Mons.

We are situated at the heart of the European market. 375 million consumers are less than four hours’ drive away. This provides a guaranteed income, and one that we have known how to make the most of.

Our infrastructure comprises exceptional networks connecting all modes of transport.

Thus we may note in particular the five multimodal platforms providing gateways to Germany, the Netherlands and France.

On the level of air traffic, we have two regional airports in full expansion, complementing the national airport in Brussels. One is the “cargo” airport in Liège, which is the eighth major European cargo airport, open 24 hours a day and housing TNT’s main European branch of activity. The other is a “passenger” airport shuttling 2 million passengers a year, soon to become 3 million thanks to a new terminal, to numerous European destinations.

Wallonia has one of the densest waterway networks in the world, at the heart of the RhineScheldt-Meuse basin. It has four river ports,

Best of Belgium

19

Scattered across this web of communication are about 130 industrial estates with installed infrastructure and connected to the logistical network, 5 science parks and 1,700 ha of immediately available terrain on these estates and parks, at some of the lowest property prices in Europe.

All this is situated on largely well-preserved land, covered to over 85% with forests and agricultural estates and spotted with innumerable testimonies of Europe’s age-old heritage.

Unending Human Resources Aside from its location, the power of Wallonia lies of course in its people.

We are welcoming, warm, open and tolerant people who like to do our work well, have a feeling for quality and are widely recognised for our productivity.

Wallonia is also a place of education and training, with 9 universities, 130 colleges of higher education, 300 research centres and 5 university science parks.

To take an example, 26.5% of Walloons aged between 25 and 64 are graduates from higher education in the area of science and technology.

This is much better than the European Union average (20.7%). The province of Walloon Brabant – which some nick-name “Wallifornia” – is the best-ranked province in Europe in this respect, at 46.3%.

Research and Innovation, a Ticket to the Future We find these performance levels again in the domain of research: 300 research centres, 6 science parks, 20 skills centres for the innovation industry and 9 universities. Over the last few years, European patent applications from Wallonia have doubled.

Both businesses and local authorities are aware of the importance of this sector. This is reflected in the resources they devote to it.

Business spending on R&D has thus increased by 50% in four years and regional budgets have more than doubled.

In this sector, Wallonia is among the regions creating the most spin-offs in Western Europe: 65 in seven years, for a population of four million but whose universities are impressively dynamic.

Businesses Are Central to the Strategy Wallonia needs bigger and faster-growing businesses, and more of them. Whether developed locally or by investment from outside, businesses are at the heart of the regional strategy. The Walloon Government is therefore working to define a framework, in addition to federal measures, that would be propitious to their success.

This is being done through various types of subsidies and targeted tax reductions.

We have reduced or abolished the local, provincial and regional taxes that we considered “anti-economical” (property tax on materials and capital equipment, compensatory industrial tax, tax on motive power and surface area tax), as well as navigation dues.

In priority zones where there is an urgent need for economic resurgence, we have decided on further tax cuts, along with increased public subsidies.

The real tax burden on companies in Wallonia is therefore one of the most favourable in Europe.

Added to this is an attractive tax system for shareholders and expatriate executives. These are so many elements that make our Region fertile ground for investment.

This is all the more the case inasmuch as businesses can obtain especially generous European and regional assistance here, completely exempt from tax (up to 30% of investments for large businesses and 40% for small and medium-sized businesses).

These amounts are even greater in the big industrial areas undergoing conversion recognised by Europe (mainly Hainaut and the Liège-Verviers area).

Elio Di Rupo Minister-President of Wallonia

Best of Belgium

Dear reader, I simply must introduce you to Flanders…

Making the Most of an Exceptional Location Wallonia has everything it takes to face up to the challenges of our time. The Walloons hold all the cards for reviving their past economic vigour and prosperity.

…not just because I am proud to be Minister-President of this prosperous European region, but because its thriving and diversified economy at the very heart of Europe boasts all the assets required to maintain its success and to safeguard future growth and prosperity.

among which the one in Liège is the second major European inland port, with over 20 million tonnes of traffic passing through it each year.

Wallonia is also well endowed with railways, and it has the densest motorway network in the world. Belgium has 4.78 km of road per square kilometre, compared to Germany’s 1.77 and France’s 1.62. What’s more, our motorways are lit up at night! It is rumoured that only two human creations are visible on Earth from space, the Great Wall of China and Belgium’s motorways; ask NASA to check next time!

For centuries, Flanders has stood at the crossroads of different cultures and new ideas.

Open minded; densely populated and with foreign markets just round the corner, Flanders features prominently as a trial market for companies seeking to roll out their products across Europe.

Reaching out, crossing borders Furthermore, companies looking to invest in Flanders are offered a host of business benefits, like access to leading-edge clusters of companies, research institutes… developing and supporting the appropriate synergies in both R&D and product innovation.

Or the unique tax regime we have in place for foreign companies and which has been ranked among the world’s best by a variety of global taxation surveys.

Flanders is home to a vast number of exporting companies, whose combined exports amounted to an impressive EUR 171.6 (no less than 98,6% of our GDP) in 2005. Among the leading industries with a proven export achievement record are the chemical, pharmaceutical and automotive industries, to mention but a few. No wonder our region has secured an ever-increasing share of world trade.

Over the past decade, Flanders has done extremely well in terms of export growth, coming second only to an economic growth success like China.

Aiming for the future Why not catch a glimpse of a rapidly-expanding Flanders? I am in no doubt that you will be amazed by the way we run things in our knowledgebased, innovation-driven economy and its vibrant, internationally-oriented business environment.

Taking centre stage Located at the crossroads of the European economy, Flanders’ high-quality transport infrastructure by land, sea and air provides outstanding connectivity, not just with its neighbouring countries but far beyond, throughout the entire European hinterland.

Central to our strategy is to provide companies, foreign and Flanders-based alike, with a head start in their respective markets, in a bid to create a future proof Flanders consolidating its economic role on a global scale.

Seaports, airports, road and rail networks therefore continue to be key factors, confirming the role of Flanders as a prime investment location for the logistics industry.

Yves Leterme Minister-President of Flanders

Sincerely,

18

Best of Belgium

In the first place, we are located exceptionally well from a geographical point of view. Wallonia lies at the centre of Europe’s great economic hubs; London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Rotterdam and Luxemburg are all less than 300 km away.

Wallonia also borders the three capitals of Europe (Brussels, Strasburg and Luxemburg).

And, alongside Brussels, it is the home of many international institutions and businesses; NATO has its headquarters in Brussels, and the European headquarters – SHAPE – are located near Mons.

We are situated at the heart of the European market. 375 million consumers are less than four hours’ drive away. This provides a guaranteed income, and one that we have known how to make the most of.

Our infrastructure comprises exceptional networks connecting all modes of transport.

Thus we may note in particular the five multimodal platforms providing gateways to Germany, the Netherlands and France.

On the level of air traffic, we have two regional airports in full expansion, complementing the national airport in Brussels. One is the “cargo” airport in Liège, which is the eighth major European cargo airport, open 24 hours a day and housing TNT’s main European branch of activity. The other is a “passenger” airport shuttling 2 million passengers a year, soon to become 3 million thanks to a new terminal, to numerous European destinations.

Wallonia has one of the densest waterway networks in the world, at the heart of the RhineScheldt-Meuse basin. It has four river ports,

Best of Belgium

19

Scattered across this web of communication are about 130 industrial estates with installed infrastructure and connected to the logistical network, 5 science parks and 1,700 ha of immediately available terrain on these estates and parks, at some of the lowest property prices in Europe.

All this is situated on largely well-preserved land, covered to over 85% with forests and agricultural estates and spotted with innumerable testimonies of Europe’s age-old heritage.

Unending Human Resources Aside from its location, the power of Wallonia lies of course in its people.

We are welcoming, warm, open and tolerant people who like to do our work well, have a feeling for quality and are widely recognised for our productivity.

Wallonia is also a place of education and training, with 9 universities, 130 colleges of higher education, 300 research centres and 5 university science parks.

To take an example, 26.5% of Walloons aged between 25 and 64 are graduates from higher education in the area of science and technology.

This is much better than the European Union average (20.7%). The province of Walloon Brabant – which some nick-name “Wallifornia” – is the best-ranked province in Europe in this respect, at 46.3%.

Research and Innovation, a Ticket to the Future We find these performance levels again in the domain of research: 300 research centres, 6 science parks, 20 skills centres for the innovation industry and 9 universities. Over the last few years, European patent applications from Wallonia have doubled.

Both businesses and local authorities are aware of the importance of this sector. This is reflected in the resources they devote to it.

Business spending on R&D has thus increased by 50% in four years and regional budgets have more than doubled.

In this sector, Wallonia is among the regions creating the most spin-offs in Western Europe: 65 in seven years, for a population of four million but whose universities are impressively dynamic.

Businesses Are Central to the Strategy Wallonia needs bigger and faster-growing businesses, and more of them. Whether developed locally or by investment from outside, businesses are at the heart of the regional strategy. The Walloon Government is therefore working to define a framework, in addition to federal measures, that would be propitious to their success.

This is being done through various types of subsidies and targeted tax reductions.

We have reduced or abolished the local, provincial and regional taxes that we considered “anti-economical” (property tax on materials and capital equipment, compensatory industrial tax, tax on motive power and surface area tax), as well as navigation dues.

In priority zones where there is an urgent need for economic resurgence, we have decided on further tax cuts, along with increased public subsidies.

The real tax burden on companies in Wallonia is therefore one of the most favourable in Europe.

Added to this is an attractive tax system for shareholders and expatriate executives. These are so many elements that make our Region fertile ground for investment.

This is all the more the case inasmuch as businesses can obtain especially generous European and regional assistance here, completely exempt from tax (up to 30% of investments for large businesses and 40% for small and medium-sized businesses).

These amounts are even greater in the big industrial areas undergoing conversion recognised by Europe (mainly Hainaut and the Liège-Verviers area).

Elio Di Rupo Minister-President of Wallonia

Best of Belgium

Brussels Airport: welcome to Europe Only a few minutes away from the capital of Europe, Brussels Airport connects thousands of travellers with over 200 destinations around the world each day. Apart from its excellent location, in the heart of Belgium and Europe, Brussels Airport has an outstanding reputation for being convenient, efficient and welcoming.

We’ve been expecting you Brussels Airport is well within the European passengers’ top 5 favourite airports. Come and visit us, and you will quickly appreciate why. Our cargo facilities rank among the best in the world, guaranteeing a safe and efficient service.

Our multilingual staff is always ready to welcome you in a professional, but friendly and personal way. Whether you travel for business or pleasure Brussels Airport makes you feel at home, away from home.

Comfort travelling Are you looking for some extra comfort during your stay? Brussels Airport offers a wide range of exclusive fashion boutiques, jewellery stores and perfume shops. Our numerous restaurants present the finest delicacies in European cuisine: Italian espresso, French wine, Belgian chocolates, Scandinavian seafood... You can literally taste Europe!

Although Brussels Airport is buzzing with activity, our main goal is your convenience.

Our services in and around the airport aim at the highest standards in business travel: reception rooms, workrooms, telephone, fax, Internet, WI-FI hotspots, welcome services...

Stay at one of the quality hotels in the immediate vicinity of the airport building and make a fresh start the next day. Do you want to visit Brussels or other Belgian cities during your visit? Brussels Airport provides easily accessible taxi, bus and train services.

20

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

21

Brussels Airport hosts flights and airlines from all over the world. New destinations are added continuously, sometimes at surprisingly low fares. At the moment you can fly to 120 cities worldwide for less than €99.

Some European destinations are only €19, taxes included.

Service is rewarded: ACI ‘Airport People’ Award Brussels Airport makes travelling accessible for everyone. It is a worldclass airport, but tailored to the needs of each individual traveller. And our peopleapproach and strong customer service culture are much appreciated. That is why Brussels Airport is rewarded with the ‘Airport People’ Award, granted by the Airports Council International (ACI) - in confirmation of our passengers’ satisfaction. Because businessman, globetrotter or family: we will be expecting you.

Best of Belgium

Brussels Airport: welcome to Europe Only a few minutes away from the capital of Europe, Brussels Airport connects thousands of travellers with over 200 destinations around the world each day. Apart from its excellent location, in the heart of Belgium and Europe, Brussels Airport has an outstanding reputation for being convenient, efficient and welcoming.

We’ve been expecting you Brussels Airport is well within the European passengers’ top 5 favourite airports. Come and visit us, and you will quickly appreciate why. Our cargo facilities rank among the best in the world, guaranteeing a safe and efficient service.

Our multilingual staff is always ready to welcome you in a professional, but friendly and personal way. Whether you travel for business or pleasure Brussels Airport makes you feel at home, away from home.

Comfort travelling Are you looking for some extra comfort during your stay? Brussels Airport offers a wide range of exclusive fashion boutiques, jewellery stores and perfume shops. Our numerous restaurants present the finest delicacies in European cuisine: Italian espresso, French wine, Belgian chocolates, Scandinavian seafood... You can literally taste Europe!

Although Brussels Airport is buzzing with activity, our main goal is your convenience.

Our services in and around the airport aim at the highest standards in business travel: reception rooms, workrooms, telephone, fax, Internet, WI-FI hotspots, welcome services...

Stay at one of the quality hotels in the immediate vicinity of the airport building and make a fresh start the next day. Do you want to visit Brussels or other Belgian cities during your visit? Brussels Airport provides easily accessible taxi, bus and train services.

20

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

21

Brussels Airport hosts flights and airlines from all over the world. New destinations are added continuously, sometimes at surprisingly low fares. At the moment you can fly to 120 cities worldwide for less than €99.

Some European destinations are only €19, taxes included.

Service is rewarded: ACI ‘Airport People’ Award Brussels Airport makes travelling accessible for everyone. It is a worldclass airport, but tailored to the needs of each individual traveller. And our peopleapproach and strong customer service culture are much appreciated. That is why Brussels Airport is rewarded with the ‘Airport People’ Award, granted by the Airports Council International (ACI) - in confirmation of our passengers’ satisfaction. Because businessman, globetrotter or family: we will be expecting you.

Best of Belgium

Overview of Belgium Belgium – Defined by International Trade, Investment and Diplomacy

Photo: Ruben Joyce

Market Integration - Trade Integration of Goods/Services Average value of imports and exports divided by GDP, x 100 (2005)

Goods Services

Data source: EUROSTAT

Photo: Ruben Joyce

Nestled in the middle of the most important industrial region of Western Europe, Belgium is a small but highly internationalized country that often is referred to as the ‘crossroads’ of Europe.

With a centuries old tradition of international trade that goes back to the medieval age when cities such as Bruges and Ghent were the absolute pearls of Europe, Belgium today is one of the most internationally-orientated countries in the world and an absolute model of European liberal democracy.

Besides being a centre of international trade, Belgium also is a major player in Foreign Direct Investment. As a percentage of GDP, Belgium invests abroad nearly ten times the average for the EU 27 and it attracts fifteen times as much as the EU 27 average.

Reflecting this international economic investment, Belgium is host to the European headquarters of a large number of multinational corporations.

Bordered by France, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom (if one can consider the English Channel a border), Belgium has a central position in Europe, not only geographically but also economically and politically. Politically, Belgium’s capital, Brussels, is considered the capital of the European Union since it hosts the headquarters of the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

In addition, a range of other international organizations, with NATO being one of the more prominent, are headquartered in Belgium.

Photo: Ruben Joyce

Foreign Direct Investment, as % of GDP (2006)

One measure of market integration, as monitored by the EU (Eurostat), is the average of a country’s imports and exports divided by GDP. Note that in the Economically too, Belgium plays a central role in Europe. category ‘goods’, Belgium is seven times Approximately 65% of the EU’s economic activity is situated in more integrated than the average for the a rectangular zone between Liverpool in the UK and Genoa in EU 27 and more than twice as integrated Italy. Belgium is right in the centre of this zone and as a result as the German economy. Also in the its economy is intensely integrated with the economies of its neighbours. To understand how internationally integrated the Belgian category ‘Services,’ the Belgian economy is highly integrated, twice that of the UK. economy is, consider a number of key economic indicators.

22

Best of Belgium

Photo: Suat Gursozlu

All this translates into economic power. While Belgium only covers about 1% of the European Union’s surface area and 2,1 % of the European population (EU27), its economic importance far outweigh these proportions. In 2006, Belgium’s GDP of EUR 314 billion represented 3,6 % of the EU’s GDP. Hence, productivity and GDP per capita are both significantly higher in Belgium compared to the European average.

FDI, abroad FDI, inbound

Data source: EUROSTAT * Data for France is 2005

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23

Solid Growth Ahead Belgium is not an emerging market.

Its population is not growing and its level of economic welfare is pretty much at the top of the global scale. Therefore, double digit growth figures simply are not seen in Belgium. By the standards

of developed economies, Belgian economic growth has been impressive over the past few years. Also, the economy is expected to continue growing in coming years. In fact, thus far in 2007 (June 2007) the economy is beating expectations.

Best of Belgium

Overview of Belgium Belgium – Defined by International Trade, Investment and Diplomacy

Photo: Ruben Joyce

Market Integration - Trade Integration of Goods/Services Average value of imports and exports divided by GDP, x 100 (2005)

Goods Services

Data source: EUROSTAT

Photo: Ruben Joyce

Nestled in the middle of the most important industrial region of Western Europe, Belgium is a small but highly internationalized country that often is referred to as the ‘crossroads’ of Europe.

With a centuries old tradition of international trade that goes back to the medieval age when cities such as Bruges and Ghent were the absolute pearls of Europe, Belgium today is one of the most internationally-orientated countries in the world and an absolute model of European liberal democracy.

Besides being a centre of international trade, Belgium also is a major player in Foreign Direct Investment. As a percentage of GDP, Belgium invests abroad nearly ten times the average for the EU 27 and it attracts fifteen times as much as the EU 27 average.

Reflecting this international economic investment, Belgium is host to the European headquarters of a large number of multinational corporations.

Bordered by France, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom (if one can consider the English Channel a border), Belgium has a central position in Europe, not only geographically but also economically and politically. Politically, Belgium’s capital, Brussels, is considered the capital of the European Union since it hosts the headquarters of the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

In addition, a range of other international organizations, with NATO being one of the more prominent, are headquartered in Belgium.

Photo: Ruben Joyce

Foreign Direct Investment, as % of GDP (2006)

One measure of market integration, as monitored by the EU (Eurostat), is the average of a country’s imports and exports divided by GDP. Note that in the Economically too, Belgium plays a central role in Europe. category ‘goods’, Belgium is seven times Approximately 65% of the EU’s economic activity is situated in more integrated than the average for the a rectangular zone between Liverpool in the UK and Genoa in EU 27 and more than twice as integrated Italy. Belgium is right in the centre of this zone and as a result as the German economy. Also in the its economy is intensely integrated with the economies of its neighbours. To understand how internationally integrated the Belgian category ‘Services,’ the Belgian economy is highly integrated, twice that of the UK. economy is, consider a number of key economic indicators.

22

Best of Belgium

Photo: Suat Gursozlu

All this translates into economic power. While Belgium only covers about 1% of the European Union’s surface area and 2,1 % of the European population (EU27), its economic importance far outweigh these proportions. In 2006, Belgium’s GDP of EUR 314 billion represented 3,6 % of the EU’s GDP. Hence, productivity and GDP per capita are both significantly higher in Belgium compared to the European average.

FDI, abroad FDI, inbound

Data source: EUROSTAT * Data for France is 2005

Best of Belgium

23

Solid Growth Ahead Belgium is not an emerging market.

Its population is not growing and its level of economic welfare is pretty much at the top of the global scale. Therefore, double digit growth figures simply are not seen in Belgium. By the standards

of developed economies, Belgian economic growth has been impressive over the past few years. Also, the economy is expected to continue growing in coming years. In fact, thus far in 2007 (June 2007) the economy is beating expectations.

Best of Belgium

Photo: Julie C. Elliott

capabilities in engineering. It is these types of capabilities that characterize many of Belgium’s top home-grown companies. For example, companies such as Pauwels International (p 210) and Hansen Transmissions (p 194) are major players in heavy machinery (transmissions, transformers). DEME Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering (p 198) is a world leader in port and waterway development and large-scale land reclamation projects.

Photo: Geeraerts Jef

GDP Growth %

Belgium Eurozone

Gross Value Added to GDP, by Sector

Proportion of GDP

Agriculture

1,0%

Industry

17,1%

Construction

4,3%

Services

66,5%

Trade, transport & communication

24,9%

Financial services, real estate & business services

24,9%

Public sector & education

12,5%

Other services

8,7%

Other components

11,1%

Gross Domestic Product at market prices

100,0%

Belgian universities continue to churn out engineering graduates at a prodigious rate and its research activities directly or indirectly lead to the set-up of highly innovative companies.

Consider companies such as Metris (p 230), ICOS (p 228), FOS&S and IPCOS (p 223) – each a ground breaker in advanced engineering technology.

Then there are the niche players, companies that have captured a leading position in specialized but global markets. Typical examples here are Betafence (p 214), a world leader in fencing products; Zweko (p 200), specialist in high-grade helmet visors; Prefamac (p 196), producer of chocolate making machinery; and Straaltechniek International (p 206), a world leader in blasting technology.

Data source: National Bank of Belgium; * NBB growth est. June 2007; ** OECD est.

Industry and Engineering Capabilities Drivers of the Economy While Belgian industry is highly internationalized and a key driver of the economy, it must be made clear that industry in fact contributes less than 20% to the country’s GDP. As outlined in the table below, the Belgian economy is dominated by services. Also, most of the growth in GDP is generally driven by growth in services.

However, industry remains the bedrock of the economy for a number of key reasons. Firstly, the international integration of the Belgian economy is primarily via industry, not services. Secondly, a large proportion of services are in service of industry. Thirdly, some of the most important sectors of the economy, the innovative sectors (e.g. IT, biotech), that are to ensure future competitiveness of the Belgian economy, are either in Industry or in service of Industry.

24

Best of Belgium

In post-War Europe, Belgium became a magnet for Foreign Direct Investment given its central location and access to labour.

Massive investment by American (and later German) multinationals transformed the Belgian economy into a highly diversified and industrialized economy, and in turn drove huge investment in the transport infrastructure. Today, Belgian industry is dominated by chemicals and materials, capital goods, automotive, food & beverage, consumer goods and textiles. Given this strong industrial base, over the years Belgium has built up phenomenal

Best of Belgium

25

The textile industry—with roots dating back to medieval times— is revitalizing itself in the face of competition from low-wage countries.

Companies such as Lano Carpets (p 204) continue growing since they focus so heavily on quality and innovative products.

The food industry is perhaps Belgium’s most famous export story,

considering the world-wide esteem for Belgian beers and chocolate (see chapters 7&8). But there obviously is more to Belgian food than these two categories. Take the famed De Strooper biscuits (p 142), for example, or the legendary Sirop de Liège (p 144), which is found in every Belgian household— and now exported across the world.

Transport & Logistics The internationally integrated character of the Belgian economy is not simply a fluke of geography—it is made possible by an exceptionally dense and advanced transport infrastructure of roads, canals, railways, ports and airports. The Port of Antwerp, for example, handles more than 167 million tons of cargo per year, making it the second largest port in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. After Luxembourg, Belgium’s motorway infrastructure is the densest in Europe.

Brussels Airport (see page 20) is recognized as one of the top airports in Europe when it comes to service and quality. For example, in 2007 the airport won the “Airport People” Award (for customer satisfaction), granted by the Airports Council International, and came second in the “Best Airport” award.

Given the intensity of trade, it is not surprising that Belgian companies have developed world-class competencies in transportation, logistics and supply chain management. Consider a company such as Traficon (p 232), a world leader in technology for road traffic monitoring and analysis.

Belgium also is one of Europe’s top locations for establishing European distribution centers.

Best of Belgium

Photo: Julie C. Elliott

capabilities in engineering. It is these types of capabilities that characterize many of Belgium’s top home-grown companies. For example, companies such as Pauwels International (p 210) and Hansen Transmissions (p 194) are major players in heavy machinery (transmissions, transformers). DEME Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering (p 198) is a world leader in port and waterway development and large-scale land reclamation projects.

Photo: Geeraerts Jef

GDP Growth %

Belgium Eurozone

Gross Value Added to GDP, by Sector

Proportion of GDP

Agriculture

1,0%

Industry

17,1%

Construction

4,3%

Services

66,5%

Trade, transport & communication

24,9%

Financial services, real estate & business services

24,9%

Public sector & education

12,5%

Other services

8,7%

Other components

11,1%

Gross Domestic Product at market prices

100,0%

Belgian universities continue to churn out engineering graduates at a prodigious rate and its research activities directly or indirectly lead to the set-up of highly innovative companies.

Consider companies such as Metris (p 230), ICOS (p 228), FOS&S and IPCOS (p 223) – each a ground breaker in advanced engineering technology.

Then there are the niche players, companies that have captured a leading position in specialized but global markets. Typical examples here are Betafence (p 214), a world leader in fencing products; Zweko (p 200), specialist in high-grade helmet visors; Prefamac (p 196), producer of chocolate making machinery; and Straaltechniek International (p 206), a world leader in blasting technology.

Data source: National Bank of Belgium; * NBB growth est. June 2007; ** OECD est.

Industry and Engineering Capabilities Drivers of the Economy While Belgian industry is highly internationalized and a key driver of the economy, it must be made clear that industry in fact contributes less than 20% to the country’s GDP. As outlined in the table below, the Belgian economy is dominated by services. Also, most of the growth in GDP is generally driven by growth in services.

However, industry remains the bedrock of the economy for a number of key reasons. Firstly, the international integration of the Belgian economy is primarily via industry, not services. Secondly, a large proportion of services are in service of industry. Thirdly, some of the most important sectors of the economy, the innovative sectors (e.g. IT, biotech), that are to ensure future competitiveness of the Belgian economy, are either in Industry or in service of Industry.

24

Best of Belgium

In post-War Europe, Belgium became a magnet for Foreign Direct Investment given its central location and access to labour.

Massive investment by American (and later German) multinationals transformed the Belgian economy into a highly diversified and industrialized economy, and in turn drove huge investment in the transport infrastructure. Today, Belgian industry is dominated by chemicals and materials, capital goods, automotive, food & beverage, consumer goods and textiles. Given this strong industrial base, over the years Belgium has built up phenomenal

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The textile industry—with roots dating back to medieval times— is revitalizing itself in the face of competition from low-wage countries.

Companies such as Lano Carpets (p 204) continue growing since they focus so heavily on quality and innovative products.

The food industry is perhaps Belgium’s most famous export story,

considering the world-wide esteem for Belgian beers and chocolate (see chapters 7&8). But there obviously is more to Belgian food than these two categories. Take the famed De Strooper biscuits (p 142), for example, or the legendary Sirop de Liège (p 144), which is found in every Belgian household— and now exported across the world.

Transport & Logistics The internationally integrated character of the Belgian economy is not simply a fluke of geography—it is made possible by an exceptionally dense and advanced transport infrastructure of roads, canals, railways, ports and airports. The Port of Antwerp, for example, handles more than 167 million tons of cargo per year, making it the second largest port in Europe and the fifth largest in the world. After Luxembourg, Belgium’s motorway infrastructure is the densest in Europe.

Brussels Airport (see page 20) is recognized as one of the top airports in Europe when it comes to service and quality. For example, in 2007 the airport won the “Airport People” Award (for customer satisfaction), granted by the Airports Council International, and came second in the “Best Airport” award.

Given the intensity of trade, it is not surprising that Belgian companies have developed world-class competencies in transportation, logistics and supply chain management. Consider a company such as Traficon (p 232), a world leader in technology for road traffic monitoring and analysis.

Belgium also is one of Europe’s top locations for establishing European distribution centers.

Best of Belgium

Photo: foto@ulrik.be

example of a Belgian city that enjoys both the charms of historic spaces and the energy of a vibrant university and high-tech economy.

in Antwerp. It covers the fashion school, the Flanders Fashion Institute (promoting designers in Flanders) and the Antwerp Fashion Museum.

Belgium may be relatively densely populated and built up, but for a cyclist—and every Belgian is a cyclist—this is heaven. Flat polders and gently undulating hills are covered by an incredibly dense network of small traffic-free country roads, connecting a multitude of small villages, all with their proverbial Café terrasse serving the best beers in the world. The Ardennes forests in the south of the country cater for the walkers, for here the hills are steeper. Medieval villages and castles nestle in a green-green landscape of hills and gorges.

Fine art has a very long tradition in this region – consider Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel de elder, Jacob Jordaans, Hans Memling, Antoon Van Dyck, René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. Today, artists of world repute are, among others, Jan Fabre, Luc Tuymans and Roger Raveel.

Belgian Cuisine – Arguably the Best in the World

Photo: Walter Boermeester

Belgium – the Good Life Belgians love the good life. Luckily, it is easy to live the good life in Belgium. Firstly, there is little to worry about. Economically vibrant and a model western democracy, the basics are generally well taken care of. Belgium has one of the best health care systems in the world, a world-class education system, and an almost complete absence of poverty. But an absence of a negative does not concern people. Belgians are more preoccupied with life’s positives, enjoying what is probably the best cuisine in the world, preferably in a charming medieval setting, outside on the ‘terrasse.’ Belgium’s oldest cities, such as Brussels, Namur, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Leuven are renowned for their medieval charm and ‘livability.’ Take a look at page 30 for a profile of Leuven, a classic

Photo: Máté Vargha

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Among connoisseurs, Belgian cuisine is on a par, if not better, than French cuisine. Certainly its fine cuisine is influenced by French cuisine, but some argue that Belgium now leads France in innovation. The Michelin Guide 2007 awards over 90 restaurants with Michelin stars (two three-star restaurants and ten two-star restaurants), which is particularly high given the small size of the country. To explore the top of Belgian cuisine, refer to the Master Chefs of Belgium (page 104).

This association of top chefs represents the absolute pinnacle of Belgian cuisine. Chefs like Yves Mattagne (Sea Grill, p 106) and Dominique Michou (L’Alban Chambon, p 107) are prime examples of the world-class talent that exists in this country.

In the performing arts—especially modern dance and classical music—Belgians have made dramatic headway. Muziektheater Transparant (p. 42) combines music and drama in a novel, captivating manner. Ultima Vez (p. 40), a contemporary dance company founded by choreographer, director and filmmaker Wim Vandekeybus, is achieving international fame. ROSAS (p. 38), founded by Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, has already done so. From Wallonia, groups like the Charleroi/Danses company and the Dragone group have broken through internationally.

Creativity is blossoming not only in the fine arts and performing arts. Also look at flower and garden design - Daniël Ost (p 48) is considered by many the world’s best floral designer.

Last but not least, Belgium is famed for its comic strip art (p 56). Consider legendary figures such as Tin Tin, the Smurfs and Lucky Luke.

Also today, Belgians produce a prodigious quantity of strip art.

An Explosion of Creative Talent – Art, Fashion, Design In recent years Belgium has witnessed an explosion in creative talent, manifesting itself in art, fashion and design. The fashion scene is perhaps best known internationally, ever since the ‘Antwerp Six’ broke through in the late 80’s.

Today, Belgian fashion design is world famous and the fashion department of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Art is, together with Saint Martins College in London, the leading fashion school in the world. To further support Belgian design, the MODENATIE (p. 62) was founded

Photo: Walter Boermeester

Best of Belgium

Photo: foto@ulrik.be

example of a Belgian city that enjoys both the charms of historic spaces and the energy of a vibrant university and high-tech economy.

in Antwerp. It covers the fashion school, the Flanders Fashion Institute (promoting designers in Flanders) and the Antwerp Fashion Museum.

Belgium may be relatively densely populated and built up, but for a cyclist—and every Belgian is a cyclist—this is heaven. Flat polders and gently undulating hills are covered by an incredibly dense network of small traffic-free country roads, connecting a multitude of small villages, all with their proverbial Café terrasse serving the best beers in the world. The Ardennes forests in the south of the country cater for the walkers, for here the hills are steeper. Medieval villages and castles nestle in a green-green landscape of hills and gorges.

Fine art has a very long tradition in this region – consider Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel de elder, Jacob Jordaans, Hans Memling, Antoon Van Dyck, René Magritte and Paul Delvaux. Today, artists of world repute are, among others, Jan Fabre, Luc Tuymans and Roger Raveel.

Belgian Cuisine – Arguably the Best in the World

Photo: Walter Boermeester

Belgium – the Good Life Belgians love the good life. Luckily, it is easy to live the good life in Belgium. Firstly, there is little to worry about. Economically vibrant and a model western democracy, the basics are generally well taken care of. Belgium has one of the best health care systems in the world, a world-class education system, and an almost complete absence of poverty. But an absence of a negative does not concern people. Belgians are more preoccupied with life’s positives, enjoying what is probably the best cuisine in the world, preferably in a charming medieval setting, outside on the ‘terrasse.’ Belgium’s oldest cities, such as Brussels, Namur, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Leuven are renowned for their medieval charm and ‘livability.’ Take a look at page 30 for a profile of Leuven, a classic

Photo: Máté Vargha

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Best of Belgium

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Among connoisseurs, Belgian cuisine is on a par, if not better, than French cuisine. Certainly its fine cuisine is influenced by French cuisine, but some argue that Belgium now leads France in innovation. The Michelin Guide 2007 awards over 90 restaurants with Michelin stars (two three-star restaurants and ten two-star restaurants), which is particularly high given the small size of the country. To explore the top of Belgian cuisine, refer to the Master Chefs of Belgium (page 104).

This association of top chefs represents the absolute pinnacle of Belgian cuisine. Chefs like Yves Mattagne (Sea Grill, p 106) and Dominique Michou (L’Alban Chambon, p 107) are prime examples of the world-class talent that exists in this country.

In the performing arts—especially modern dance and classical music—Belgians have made dramatic headway. Muziektheater Transparant (p. 42) combines music and drama in a novel, captivating manner. Ultima Vez (p. 40), a contemporary dance company founded by choreographer, director and filmmaker Wim Vandekeybus, is achieving international fame. ROSAS (p. 38), founded by Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, has already done so. From Wallonia, groups like the Charleroi/Danses company and the Dragone group have broken through internationally.

Creativity is blossoming not only in the fine arts and performing arts. Also look at flower and garden design - Daniël Ost (p 48) is considered by many the world’s best floral designer.

Last but not least, Belgium is famed for its comic strip art (p 56). Consider legendary figures such as Tin Tin, the Smurfs and Lucky Luke.

Also today, Belgians produce a prodigious quantity of strip art.

An Explosion of Creative Talent – Art, Fashion, Design In recent years Belgium has witnessed an explosion in creative talent, manifesting itself in art, fashion and design. The fashion scene is perhaps best known internationally, ever since the ‘Antwerp Six’ broke through in the late 80’s.

Today, Belgian fashion design is world famous and the fashion department of the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Art is, together with Saint Martins College in London, the leading fashion school in the world. To further support Belgian design, the MODENATIE (p. 62) was founded

Photo: Walter Boermeester

Best of Belgium

In conversation with Belgian leadership

The editors of BEST OF BELGIUM had the honour of engaging in conversation three top Belgian CEOs. In an informal interview, we talked about Belgium’s reputation abroad, our nation’s strengths and weaknesses, and where we are heading in this increasingly globalised world. Each of these three companies illustrates the strength of our nation’s capabilities. METRIS, winner of the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award, is a high-tech innovator specialized in industrial metrology solutions. Andres, the company behind fashion brands Xandres and Hampton Bays, is the market leader in its category and one of the driving forces behind Belgium’s fashion design capabilities.

DEME (Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering) is one of two Belgian companies that dominate the global market for land reclamation and harbour dredging.

This article is inspired by these conversations.

Our sincere thanks go out to these individuals for their time and insight.

Alain Bernard CEO DEME Isabelle Santens CEO Andres Bart Van Coppenolle President and CEO Metris

Beyond chocolate and beer In a general sense, our CEOs agreed that internationally Belgium is associated with beer, chocolate, good food and the European capital.

These are the well known clichés about Belgium, not unimportant because we do happen to produce the best beer and chocolate in the world. We also are the capital of Europe, politically speaking at least. But there is so much more.

Certainly within their industry sectors—fashion, dredging and metrology—our CEO’s companies command international respect. But do their international contacts have an explanation for our strengths in these areas? The world of fashion offers some interesting insights. is another strength recognized by international fashion retailers, and also in the worlds of marine engineering and metrology. We look for practical solutions to problems; we have a certain “serieux” and professionalism; and we lack (in the positive sense) corporate hierarchies—our companies are smaller, more manageable and for our customers easier to deal with.

We also keep a lower profile and tend to be more modest in our approach, especially compared to our Dutch neighbours. On this latter point our CEOs differ in opinion somewhat.

On the one hand, our humble, reserved approach can be seen as a disadvantage. We do not sell or market our capabilities enough, with the result that others run away with the laurels.

On the other hand, our modesty is a positive. Simply put, actions speak louder than words.

A sense of detail Some of the most impressive international fashion retailers like working with Belgians suppliers not only because we have excellent designers (graduates from the world-class Antwerp school of fashion), but also because we are so committed to quality. Belgians have, according to one French retailer, an excellent sense of detail. This is why our design is unique and our clothing is of top quality.

Extend this insight to other sectors and one begins to get the point. Our fine cuisine, our chocolate, our huge range of special beers, our high-tech sector (focused not on dotcom ‘big brands’ but on specialized engineering technology such as measurement)—all disciplines that indeed require a refined sense of detail, the quality is in the detail.

Humble pragmatists A pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to business

Attractive business partners Whatever the remedy may be to the modesty issues, it makes us good partners to work with. Especially in the world of mega-engineering projects such as land reclamation this is critically important. In contrast to a hit-andrun approach, we tend to be in it for the long term and are open to sharing know-how, returns and accolades.

Also, Belgians deliver on their promises and hence are trusted, reliable partners.

Roots in adversity ‘Plantrekkers’ they say in Dutch— difficult to translate literally it refers to

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our ability to come up with a pragmatic solution when faced with a difficult situation. This is a skill honed through centuries of dealing with adversity, from the encroaching sea to numerous invaders and occupiers. Medieval dykes crisscross the polders in West-Flanders and the remains of Spanish strongholds, Napoleonic forts and German bunkers dot the landscape.

Looking to the future Much has been achieved by the people of this country. But in this increasingly competitive global economy Belgium cannot placate. We enjoy the good life but perhaps it is too good.

Our social ‘security’ is world class but in all probability unsustainable given our ageing population. Attitudes toward commerce and entrepreneurship could be more positive. Our fiscal environment could be better (although is much improved in the past few years).

Looking ahead, our CEOs agree on the priority: more investment in education and R&D (to keep the innovation motor running). Belgium does not compete with India and China. On the contrary, those countries’ success is good for the world economy, which is good for our export-focused companies. Our future lies in the niches, excelling in the highly specialized sectors of the world economy. This is where our focus on quality and innovation, and our strong partnering skills come to the fore. Working with the big players, not against them, and adding value in critical ways.

Best of Belgium

In conversation with Belgian leadership

The editors of BEST OF BELGIUM had the honour of engaging in conversation three top Belgian CEOs. In an informal interview, we talked about Belgium’s reputation abroad, our nation’s strengths and weaknesses, and where we are heading in this increasingly globalised world. Each of these three companies illustrates the strength of our nation’s capabilities. METRIS, winner of the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award, is a high-tech innovator specialized in industrial metrology solutions. Andres, the company behind fashion brands Xandres and Hampton Bays, is the market leader in its category and one of the driving forces behind Belgium’s fashion design capabilities.

DEME (Dredging, Environmental & Marine Engineering) is one of two Belgian companies that dominate the global market for land reclamation and harbour dredging.

This article is inspired by these conversations.

Our sincere thanks go out to these individuals for their time and insight.

Alain Bernard CEO DEME Isabelle Santens CEO Andres Bart Van Coppenolle President and CEO Metris

Beyond chocolate and beer In a general sense, our CEOs agreed that internationally Belgium is associated with beer, chocolate, good food and the European capital.

These are the well known clichés about Belgium, not unimportant because we do happen to produce the best beer and chocolate in the world. We also are the capital of Europe, politically speaking at least. But there is so much more.

Certainly within their industry sectors—fashion, dredging and metrology—our CEO’s companies command international respect. But do their international contacts have an explanation for our strengths in these areas? The world of fashion offers some interesting insights. is another strength recognized by international fashion retailers, and also in the worlds of marine engineering and metrology. We look for practical solutions to problems; we have a certain “serieux” and professionalism; and we lack (in the positive sense) corporate hierarchies—our companies are smaller, more manageable and for our customers easier to deal with.

We also keep a lower profile and tend to be more modest in our approach, especially compared to our Dutch neighbours. On this latter point our CEOs differ in opinion somewhat.

On the one hand, our humble, reserved approach can be seen as a disadvantage. We do not sell or market our capabilities enough, with the result that others run away with the laurels.

On the other hand, our modesty is a positive. Simply put, actions speak louder than words.

A sense of detail Some of the most impressive international fashion retailers like working with Belgians suppliers not only because we have excellent designers (graduates from the world-class Antwerp school of fashion), but also because we are so committed to quality. Belgians have, according to one French retailer, an excellent sense of detail. This is why our design is unique and our clothing is of top quality.

Extend this insight to other sectors and one begins to get the point. Our fine cuisine, our chocolate, our huge range of special beers, our high-tech sector (focused not on dotcom ‘big brands’ but on specialized engineering technology such as measurement)—all disciplines that indeed require a refined sense of detail, the quality is in the detail.

Humble pragmatists A pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to business

Attractive business partners Whatever the remedy may be to the modesty issues, it makes us good partners to work with. Especially in the world of mega-engineering projects such as land reclamation this is critically important. In contrast to a hit-andrun approach, we tend to be in it for the long term and are open to sharing know-how, returns and accolades.

Also, Belgians deliver on their promises and hence are trusted, reliable partners.

Roots in adversity ‘Plantrekkers’ they say in Dutch— difficult to translate literally it refers to

28

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Best of Belgium

29

our ability to come up with a pragmatic solution when faced with a difficult situation. This is a skill honed through centuries of dealing with adversity, from the encroaching sea to numerous invaders and occupiers. Medieval dykes crisscross the polders in West-Flanders and the remains of Spanish strongholds, Napoleonic forts and German bunkers dot the landscape.

Looking to the future Much has been achieved by the people of this country. But in this increasingly competitive global economy Belgium cannot placate. We enjoy the good life but perhaps it is too good.

Our social ‘security’ is world class but in all probability unsustainable given our ageing population. Attitudes toward commerce and entrepreneurship could be more positive. Our fiscal environment could be better (although is much improved in the past few years).

Looking ahead, our CEOs agree on the priority: more investment in education and R&D (to keep the innovation motor running). Belgium does not compete with India and China. On the contrary, those countries’ success is good for the world economy, which is good for our export-focused companies. Our future lies in the niches, excelling in the highly specialized sectors of the world economy. This is where our focus on quality and innovation, and our strong partnering skills come to the fore. Working with the big players, not against them, and adding value in critical ways.

Best of Belgium

Legendary, living, Leuven.

Leuven is only a stone’s throw away from Brussels. No other Flemish town or city appeals to one’s imagination like this historic university city does.

Take a walk through rich historical heritage. Enjoy the friendly urban atmosphere. Experience the charm of the city’s creative spirit.

Leuven may be centuries old, but it is also bustling with life!

At Leuven’s Great Market Square, you won’t now where to look first. You are surrounded by magnificent monuments such as the Town Hall and Saint Peter’s Church, both prime examples of Brabantine Late Gothic Style. In the Town Hall you must see the gothic hall and the salons; in the Treasury of Saint Peter’s you can admire paintings by the Flemish primitive Dirk Bouts. But you should also visit the Great Beguinage, a UNESCO World heritage site. This townwithin-a-city dates back to the seventeenth century and comprises over 70 little homes and “convents” where the “begijnen” used to live.

Leuven is renowned for its centuries old glory, but does that make it a dormant city?

Not at all! Leuven is full of life and energy, which is made apparent for instance by the many realisations of contemporary architecture. Leuven, the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant, has undergone quite the metamorphosis in the last decade.

For instance: the railway station, the station square and the Bondgenotenlaan avenue have been splendidly renewed, the former industrial site of the Philips factory has found

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new purposes, and institutions such as the Arenberg Campus Library and STUK arts centre are now housed in eye-catching modern buildings.

Whilst walking in Leuven you will notice that this is an art city with many faces.

Leuven is a university city, showing the marks of over six centuries’ worth of students’ joys and sorrows and the pleasant hustle and bustle of young people. Leuven is also a historic city with many gorgeous buildings and structures; an exuberant and Burgundian city with flavours, textures and prices that suit every taste; a city with amazing architecture with an international feel to it. So many things to see, so much to do… Leuven is definitely worth a visit!

More information Tourism Leuven, In&Uit Leuven Naamsestraat 1 B-3000 Leuven Tel. +32 (0)16 20 30 20 Fax +32 (0)16 20 30 03 tourism@leuven.be www.leuven.be/tourism

Best of Belgium

Legendary, living, Leuven.

Leuven is only a stone’s throw away from Brussels. No other Flemish town or city appeals to one’s imagination like this historic university city does.

Take a walk through rich historical heritage. Enjoy the friendly urban atmosphere. Experience the charm of the city’s creative spirit.

Leuven may be centuries old, but it is also bustling with life!

At Leuven’s Great Market Square, you won’t now where to look first. You are surrounded by magnificent monuments such as the Town Hall and Saint Peter’s Church, both prime examples of Brabantine Late Gothic Style. In the Town Hall you must see the gothic hall and the salons; in the Treasury of Saint Peter’s you can admire paintings by the Flemish primitive Dirk Bouts. But you should also visit the Great Beguinage, a UNESCO World heritage site. This townwithin-a-city dates back to the seventeenth century and comprises over 70 little homes and “convents” where the “begijnen” used to live.

Leuven is renowned for its centuries old glory, but does that make it a dormant city?

Not at all! Leuven is full of life and energy, which is made apparent for instance by the many realisations of contemporary architecture. Leuven, the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant, has undergone quite the metamorphosis in the last decade.

For instance: the railway station, the station square and the Bondgenotenlaan avenue have been splendidly renewed, the former industrial site of the Philips factory has found

30

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Best of Belgium

31

new purposes, and institutions such as the Arenberg Campus Library and STUK arts centre are now housed in eye-catching modern buildings.

Whilst walking in Leuven you will notice that this is an art city with many faces.

Leuven is a university city, showing the marks of over six centuries’ worth of students’ joys and sorrows and the pleasant hustle and bustle of young people. Leuven is also a historic city with many gorgeous buildings and structures; an exuberant and Burgundian city with flavours, textures and prices that suit every taste; a city with amazing architecture with an international feel to it. So many things to see, so much to do… Leuven is definitely worth a visit!

More information Tourism Leuven, In&Uit Leuven Naamsestraat 1 B-3000 Leuven Tel. +32 (0)16 20 30 20 Fax +32 (0)16 20 30 03 tourism@leuven.be www.leuven.be/tourism

Best of Belgium

Official languages Dutch (approx. 60% of the population) French (approx. 40% of the population) German (<1% of the population)

Religion Traditionally the vast majority of the Belgian population is Roman Catholic but less than 8% practice. Close to 30% of the population consider themselves agnostic. Islam is an important religion (approx.

4%). Also there are small minorities of Protestants and Jews.

Currency Exchange Rate Country Dialing Code Internet domain

EURO € One US$ = 0,73 € (April 25th 2007) +32 .be

Geography Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west (polders at or below sea level), the central plateau (fertile smooth valleys), and the Ardennes uplands (forested plateau) in the south-east. Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.

Climate The climate is maritime temperate, with significant precipitation in all seasons

Banks and foreign exchange Belgium’s financial institutions are world-class, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers.

Credit cards and cash All major credit cards can be used in Belgium, with American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance than MasterCard and Visa. Smaller retailers, restaurants and bars typically accept cash only.

Telecommunications Belgium has a highly developed, technologically advanced communications infrastructure. The main fixed-line operators have made rapid progress building their ‘Next Generation’ networks (i.e. high-bandwidth IP network for voice, data, video, TV). There are three mobile phone service providers with national coverage.

Broadband internet penetration is close to 20% of households.

International Institutions and Embassies Brussels is home to the European Commission, NATO and a range of other international organizations. As such, Brussels is a major diplomatic center, with most major countries not only being represented by embassies but also by diplomatic missions to the EU.

Fast Facts Belgium Capital city Area Government Population Time Zone Current GDP growth Inflation

Brussels 30,528 sq km Federal constitutional monarchy and bicameral parliamentary democracy 10,5 million CET (Central European Time) 2,3% (est. 2007) 1,8% (est. 2007)

Medical facilities Belgium is recognized for its world-class medical expertise and facilities.

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Best of Belgium

Official languages Dutch (approx. 60% of the population) French (approx. 40% of the population) German (<1% of the population)

Religion Traditionally the vast majority of the Belgian population is Roman Catholic but less than 8% practice. Close to 30% of the population consider themselves agnostic. Islam is an important religion (approx.

4%). Also there are small minorities of Protestants and Jews.

Currency Exchange Rate Country Dialing Code Internet domain

EURO € One US$ = 0,73 € (April 25th 2007) +32 .be

Geography Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west (polders at or below sea level), the central plateau (fertile smooth valleys), and the Ardennes uplands (forested plateau) in the south-east. Belgium shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.

Climate The climate is maritime temperate, with significant precipitation in all seasons

Banks and foreign exchange Belgium’s financial institutions are world-class, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers.

Credit cards and cash All major credit cards can be used in Belgium, with American Express and Diners Club enjoying less universal acceptance than MasterCard and Visa. Smaller retailers, restaurants and bars typically accept cash only.

Telecommunications Belgium has a highly developed, technologically advanced communications infrastructure. The main fixed-line operators have made rapid progress building their ‘Next Generation’ networks (i.e. high-bandwidth IP network for voice, data, video, TV). There are three mobile phone service providers with national coverage.

Broadband internet penetration is close to 20% of households.

International Institutions and Embassies Brussels is home to the European Commission, NATO and a range of other international organizations. As such, Brussels is a major diplomatic center, with most major countries not only being represented by embassies but also by diplomatic missions to the EU.

Fast Facts Belgium Capital city Area Government Population Time Zone Current GDP growth Inflation

Brussels 30,528 sq km Federal constitutional monarchy and bicameral parliamentary democracy 10,5 million CET (Central European Time) 2,3% (est. 2007) 1,8% (est. 2007)

Medical facilities Belgium is recognized for its world-class medical expertise and facilities.

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Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost.

Isak Dineson, ‘Babette’s Feast’

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 2 Arts

Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost.

Isak Dineson, ‘Babette’s Feast’

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 2 Arts

Arts

The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium In memory of the renowned Belgian violinist and composer Eugène Ysaÿe, Queen Elisabeth set about fulfilling a wish they had shared: to bring the world’s finest young musicians together in Brussels, for an event that would celebrate their artistry in a spirit of friendship.

Up to the end of the 1960s, candidates came mainly from Europe and the United States. Since then, young musicians from Australia and Asia – increasingly open to Western European culture and mastering to the highest degree its repertoire and styles of music – have also travelled to the heart of Europe, aware of the substantial assistance and prestige that the Competition can provide.

The piano, singing, violin, and composition competitions attract the premier soloists, chamber musicians, and teachers of tomorrow, as they begin to make their contribution to the lasting heritage of musical history that has developed in Europe since the 17th century.

The Competition owes its reputation primarily to the quality of the jury members and prizewinners. The presence of so many musicians from all over the world in Brussels each spring also contributes to the international flavour of Brussels life.

Queen Elisabeth was convinced of the benefits to society that the arts and the bringing together of different peoples can provide. Now, 50 years later, her message of mutual respect and of listening to each other is as relevant as ever.

Many extremely illustrious figures have made their mark at our competition in Brussels, including Leonid Kogan, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Leon Fleisher, Mitsuko Uchida, Gidon Kremer, Vadim Repin, Frank Braley, Cristina Gallardo-Domas, Nikolaj Znaider, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Baiba Skride, Severin von Eckardstein, and Sergey Khachatryan.

The other great names at the heart of this celebrated musical rendezvous, of course, are those who have agreed – some of them several times – to serve on the jury. To name just a few: David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Emil Gilels, Paul Badura-Skoda, Rudolf Firkusny, Joan

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Sutherland, José Van Dam, Andreas Scholl, Kaaja Saariaho, Grace Bumbry, Menahem Pressler, and Luis de Pablo.

As of 2007, the competitions for performers follow a three-year cycle; the composition competitions, also organised on an international scale, take place in two years out of the three, in advance each time of the instrumental competitions for which they furnish the obligatory work to be performed with an orchestra in the final.

This great musical gathering has now been bringing young talent together in Brussels for decades. Radio and television provide live international coverage every day, and the concert halls of the Conservatory and the Centre for Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts) are packed by enthusiastic, welcoming audiences. An exhilarating rendezvous – not to be missed!

www.qeimc.be

Arts

The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium In memory of the renowned Belgian violinist and composer Eugène Ysaÿe, Queen Elisabeth set about fulfilling a wish they had shared: to bring the world’s finest young musicians together in Brussels, for an event that would celebrate their artistry in a spirit of friendship.

Up to the end of the 1960s, candidates came mainly from Europe and the United States. Since then, young musicians from Australia and Asia – increasingly open to Western European culture and mastering to the highest degree its repertoire and styles of music – have also travelled to the heart of Europe, aware of the substantial assistance and prestige that the Competition can provide.

The piano, singing, violin, and composition competitions attract the premier soloists, chamber musicians, and teachers of tomorrow, as they begin to make their contribution to the lasting heritage of musical history that has developed in Europe since the 17th century.

The Competition owes its reputation primarily to the quality of the jury members and prizewinners. The presence of so many musicians from all over the world in Brussels each spring also contributes to the international flavour of Brussels life.

Queen Elisabeth was convinced of the benefits to society that the arts and the bringing together of different peoples can provide. Now, 50 years later, her message of mutual respect and of listening to each other is as relevant as ever.

Many extremely illustrious figures have made their mark at our competition in Brussels, including Leonid Kogan, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Leon Fleisher, Mitsuko Uchida, Gidon Kremer, Vadim Repin, Frank Braley, Cristina Gallardo-Domas, Nikolaj Znaider, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Baiba Skride, Severin von Eckardstein, and Sergey Khachatryan.

The other great names at the heart of this celebrated musical rendezvous, of course, are those who have agreed – some of them several times – to serve on the jury. To name just a few: David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Emil Gilels, Paul Badura-Skoda, Rudolf Firkusny, Joan

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Sutherland, José Van Dam, Andreas Scholl, Kaaja Saariaho, Grace Bumbry, Menahem Pressler, and Luis de Pablo.

As of 2007, the competitions for performers follow a three-year cycle; the composition competitions, also organised on an international scale, take place in two years out of the three, in advance each time of the instrumental competitions for which they furnish the obligatory work to be performed with an orchestra in the final.

This great musical gathering has now been bringing young talent together in Brussels for decades. Radio and television provide live international coverage every day, and the concert halls of the Conservatory and the Centre for Fine Arts (Palais des Beaux-Arts) are packed by enthusiastic, welcoming audiences. An exhilarating rendezvous – not to be missed!

www.qeimc.be

Arts

ROSAS Rosas is the contemporary dance company founded and lead by the Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.

A fine selection of international reputable dancers contributes to the steady growth of the multifaceted oeuvre. The company is based in Brussels and tours its productions worldwide.

Tina Ruisinger

Herman Sorgeloos

After studying dance in Brussels and New York, choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker founded her company Rosas in Brussels in 1983. Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s first choreography for the brand-new company was Rosas danst Rosas - a piece that the company borrowed its name from, and that brought it an instantaneous international breakthrough.

De Keersmaeker soon established herself as one of Europe’s most exciting and innovating choreographers. With Rosas she would give Belgium a prominent place in the dance landscape.

In 1992 De Keersmaeker was invited as resident choreographer at De Munt, the Brussels opera house. The cooperation was carried on in 1995 when Rosas and De Munt jointly set up the international educational project PARTS, the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios, directed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Today the dance school, which offers a four-year curriculum, houses talented students from all over the world.

human gestures. De Keersmaeker applies rigorous patterns and structures in her choreographies, creating fascinating rhythms.

Fairly soon De Keersmaeker left the confines of pure dance and ventured into the realms of text theatre and live music, creating at times complex but highly enjoyable performances that blend the different disciplines. A sense of nonchalance and playfulness has given more buoyancy to her precise style.

De Keersmaeker is fond of selecting such great composers as Bartók, Bach, Mozart and Ligeti for her work, but she has also cooperated with experimental composers like Thierry De Mey (B), Peter Vermeersch (B), or with the ethno-jazz quartet of Aka Moon (B).

She has a special preference for American composer Steve Reich, whose music she has used in several pieces.

The most recent Rosas creations include D’un soir un jour (2006) and Steve Reich Evening (2007).

Source: www.vti.be

Herman Sorgeloos

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From the very start De Keersmaeker set the tone of Rosas’ work with her characteristic dance vocabulary and tightly structured choreographies. Her movements often highlight singular parts of a dancer’s body - head, hip, foot, hand - and show the beauty and significance of small

Rosas Van Volxemlaan 164 | 1190 Brussels phone +32 2 344 55 98 fax +32 2 343 53 52 mail@rosas.be www.rosas.be | www.parts.be

Arts

ROSAS Rosas is the contemporary dance company founded and lead by the Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.

A fine selection of international reputable dancers contributes to the steady growth of the multifaceted oeuvre. The company is based in Brussels and tours its productions worldwide.

Tina Ruisinger

Herman Sorgeloos

After studying dance in Brussels and New York, choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker founded her company Rosas in Brussels in 1983. Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s first choreography for the brand-new company was Rosas danst Rosas - a piece that the company borrowed its name from, and that brought it an instantaneous international breakthrough.

De Keersmaeker soon established herself as one of Europe’s most exciting and innovating choreographers. With Rosas she would give Belgium a prominent place in the dance landscape.

In 1992 De Keersmaeker was invited as resident choreographer at De Munt, the Brussels opera house. The cooperation was carried on in 1995 when Rosas and De Munt jointly set up the international educational project PARTS, the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios, directed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Today the dance school, which offers a four-year curriculum, houses talented students from all over the world.

human gestures. De Keersmaeker applies rigorous patterns and structures in her choreographies, creating fascinating rhythms.

Fairly soon De Keersmaeker left the confines of pure dance and ventured into the realms of text theatre and live music, creating at times complex but highly enjoyable performances that blend the different disciplines. A sense of nonchalance and playfulness has given more buoyancy to her precise style.

De Keersmaeker is fond of selecting such great composers as Bartók, Bach, Mozart and Ligeti for her work, but she has also cooperated with experimental composers like Thierry De Mey (B), Peter Vermeersch (B), or with the ethno-jazz quartet of Aka Moon (B).

She has a special preference for American composer Steve Reich, whose music she has used in several pieces.

The most recent Rosas creations include D’un soir un jour (2006) and Steve Reich Evening (2007).

Source: www.vti.be

Herman Sorgeloos

38

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

39

From the very start De Keersmaeker set the tone of Rosas’ work with her characteristic dance vocabulary and tightly structured choreographies. Her movements often highlight singular parts of a dancer’s body - head, hip, foot, hand - and show the beauty and significance of small

Rosas Van Volxemlaan 164 | 1190 Brussels phone +32 2 344 55 98 fax +32 2 343 53 52 mail@rosas.be www.rosas.be | www.parts.be

Arts

Wim Vandekeybus & Ultima Vez Director, choreographer, performer and filmmaker Wim Vandekeybus is one of the main representatives of the vibrant Belgian dance scene. Since the foundation of his company Ultima Vez in 1986, this Brussels based troupe has astounded audiences worldwide, pushing performers beyond their limits in a powerful fusion of dance, theatre, music and film that seethes with energy, danger, emotion and sensuality.

Puur (2005) Photo: Jean-Pierre Stoop

Blush (2002) Photo: Hans Roels 7 for a Secret never to be told (1997) Photo: Bruno Vandermeulen

In June 1987 What the Body Does Not Remember premièred at the Toneelschuur in Haarlem (NL). With tempestuous energy and strength the performers made daring leaps, launched themselves into the air and smartly intercepted each other’s falls. They put their trust in and surrendered to their instincts.

Powered by the music of Thierry De Mey and Peter Vermeersch, What the Body… was soon being presented on international stages. In 1988, Wim Vandekeybus received the Bessie Award in New York for this production, which was credited “a brutal confrontation of dance and music: the dangerous, combative landscape of What the Body Does Not Remember.”

“A return to ‘real’ movement, which others later called dance”, is Wim Vandekeybus’ succinct and somewhat provocative definition of his work. Not having enjoyed any formal dance training, Vandekeybus is interested in the underlying emotions and theatrical thoughts behind movement rather than in ‘pure’ dance. His inspiration is drawn from confrontations and encounters with his performers and other artists. For his dance productions Vandekeybus has commissioned music compositions from, among others, Peter Vermeersch, Thierry De Mey, Arno, David Byrne, Marc Ribot, Eavesdropper and David Eugene Edwards (16 Horsepower/Woven Hand). Film and video also is an outlet for Vandekeybus’ wild imagination. Besides the short films that are part of the performances, Vandekeybus has directed several dance films, placing his

Spiegel (2006) Photo: Wim Vandekeybus

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choreographical creations in very distinct and remarkable settings.

Since his debut What the Body… Wim Vandekeybus has created more than twenty performances with changing international casts and nearly as many dance and short fiction films. Some of his most successful productions are: Les porteuses de mauvaises nouvelles (1989), Immer das Selbe gelogen (1991), 7 for Secret a Secret never to be told (1997), In Spite of Wishing and Wanting (1999), Blush (2002) and Spiegel (2006), a composed evening celebrating the company’s twentieth anniversary.

Ultima Vez is supported by the Flemish authorities and the Flemish Community Commission of the Brussels Capital Region.

The company’s performances are presented at theatres and festivals worldwide.

Ultima Vez Koolmijnenkaai 34 1080 Brussels, BELGIUM T + 32 (0)2 219 55 28 www.ultimavez.com info@ultimavez.com

Arts

Wim Vandekeybus & Ultima Vez Director, choreographer, performer and filmmaker Wim Vandekeybus is one of the main representatives of the vibrant Belgian dance scene. Since the foundation of his company Ultima Vez in 1986, this Brussels based troupe has astounded audiences worldwide, pushing performers beyond their limits in a powerful fusion of dance, theatre, music and film that seethes with energy, danger, emotion and sensuality.

Puur (2005) Photo: Jean-Pierre Stoop

Blush (2002) Photo: Hans Roels 7 for a Secret never to be told (1997) Photo: Bruno Vandermeulen

In June 1987 What the Body Does Not Remember premièred at the Toneelschuur in Haarlem (NL). With tempestuous energy and strength the performers made daring leaps, launched themselves into the air and smartly intercepted each other’s falls. They put their trust in and surrendered to their instincts.

Powered by the music of Thierry De Mey and Peter Vermeersch, What the Body… was soon being presented on international stages. In 1988, Wim Vandekeybus received the Bessie Award in New York for this production, which was credited “a brutal confrontation of dance and music: the dangerous, combative landscape of What the Body Does Not Remember.”

“A return to ‘real’ movement, which others later called dance”, is Wim Vandekeybus’ succinct and somewhat provocative definition of his work. Not having enjoyed any formal dance training, Vandekeybus is interested in the underlying emotions and theatrical thoughts behind movement rather than in ‘pure’ dance. His inspiration is drawn from confrontations and encounters with his performers and other artists. For his dance productions Vandekeybus has commissioned music compositions from, among others, Peter Vermeersch, Thierry De Mey, Arno, David Byrne, Marc Ribot, Eavesdropper and David Eugene Edwards (16 Horsepower/Woven Hand). Film and video also is an outlet for Vandekeybus’ wild imagination. Besides the short films that are part of the performances, Vandekeybus has directed several dance films, placing his

Spiegel (2006) Photo: Wim Vandekeybus

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Best of Belgium

41

choreographical creations in very distinct and remarkable settings.

Since his debut What the Body… Wim Vandekeybus has created more than twenty performances with changing international casts and nearly as many dance and short fiction films. Some of his most successful productions are: Les porteuses de mauvaises nouvelles (1989), Immer das Selbe gelogen (1991), 7 for Secret a Secret never to be told (1997), In Spite of Wishing and Wanting (1999), Blush (2002) and Spiegel (2006), a composed evening celebrating the company’s twentieth anniversary.

Ultima Vez is supported by the Flemish authorities and the Flemish Community Commission of the Brussels Capital Region.

The company’s performances are presented at theatres and festivals worldwide.

Ultima Vez Koolmijnenkaai 34 1080 Brussels, BELGIUM T + 32 (0)2 219 55 28 www.ultimavez.com info@ultimavez.com

Arts

Muziektheater Transparant: allowing fresh air into opera

© Patrick De Spiegelaere

© Herman Sorgeloos

La Mort de Sainte Alméenne. An opera by Arthur Honegger for voice and piano.

Een Totale Entführung. An adaptation of Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart.

This production of Transparant is selected for the Dutch-Flemish Theaterfestival TF-1.

version of Il Re Pastore. Together with visual artist Hans Op De Beeck and director Wouter Van Looy, Henderickx presents Erbarme Dich in October 2007.

© Herman Sorgeloos

The girl, the boy, the river.

Philosophical love-story for a young audience.

Muziektheater Transparant is a production company that shifts the boundaries between opera and musical theatre. The voice is placed firmly at the centre of the projects, and they continually blend the old and the new.

With a most open approach towards the possibilities of musical theatre, general director Guy Coolen has made of Transparant a unique organisation, thanks to the flexible production methods and the artistic diversity of the eight artists in residence.

Transparant is internationally active: touring productions are an important part of their work, and they have performed at many festivals, including

Salzburger Festspiele, Avignon Festival, Holland Festival, KunstenfestivaldesArts.

Transparant regularly collaborates with other producers and artists, most particularly deSingel, De Munt, Vlaamse Opera, Vooruit. Unique in this regard, is the Institute for Living Voice project, a peripatetic workshop at which international singers from all musical traditions come together to hold workshops and give recitals.

For Stavanger, Cultural Capital of Europe 2008, Transparant has been invited for a residence in February 2008.

Transparant will show productions such as RUHE, Wolpe!, The girl, the boy and the river, Erbarme Dich and organise

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© Herman Sorgeloos

RUHE, recital of lieder brutally interrupted by people who wish to talk about their voluntary enlistment in the SS in WWII.

workshops, a new session of Institute for Living Voice, and a new project with children from Stavanger.

Artists in residence Wim Henderickx’ music is influenced by Oriental music and philosophy. His opera Triumph of Spirit over Matter (2000) was created in La Monnaie (Brussels) in commission of Muziektheater Transparant. Achilleus (opera for young people) was created in 2003 in The Flemish Opera and was also translated in Danish and performed several times in Copenhagen. In 2006 he created Een totale Entführung, an adaptation of Die Entführung aus dem Serail, directed by Ramsey Nasr, who previously directed a remarkable

Best of Belgium

43

Wouter Van Looy is artistic director of Transparant together with Guy Coolen. Next to working with professionals, Van Looy works with young and inexperienced musicians and actors. That resulted amongst others in the production Drift, selected for the annual Flemish-Dutch Theatre Festival 2004. Van Looy is also organizing music festivals for kids with Zonzo-company, and is one of the leading forces behind the Institute for Living Voice. Recent productions by Van Looy include Bluebeard’s Castle (Bartòk), Sestina (Monteverdi) and Dido (Van Outryve / Purcell).

The girl, the boy, the river is a collaboration between Van Looy and composer Jan Van Outryve. Influenced by his lute-playing and his broad knowledge of ancient music, especially renaissance and baroque, Van Outryve worked with music from Purcell (Dido, Ik vlieg) and Claudio Monteverdi (Sestina, Drift, Zone Orfeo, L’Arianna) or Sephardic singing from the Spanish

Renaissance (Floris en Blancefloer).

Composer and saxophonist Eric Sleichim is founder of the Bl!ndman quartet. With Transparant he examines the theatrical possiblities of his music.

Based on a fascination for intriguing artists, he composed and directed the productions Men in Tribulation (inspired

by Antonin Artaud) and Intra-Muros (inspired by Pier Paolo Pasolini).

Starting from her background as actor, director Caroline Petrick explores the physical and spatial confrontation with new music and forgotten operas, e.g. La Mort de Sainte Alméenne from Arthur Honegger. In her newest production, Wolpe!, she approaches the music from Stephan Wolpe.

Annelies Van Parys and Joachim Brackx, two most promising flemish composers, are invited for a three-year residence to put their first steps in music theatre. Van Parys composes for RUHE, and they collaborate on a project for choirs in Stavanger 2008 and on a project on Belgian short films from the silent era.

For the full programme and information about Muziektheater Transparant, read more at www.transparant.be.

Arts

Muziektheater Transparant: allowing fresh air into opera

© Patrick De Spiegelaere

© Herman Sorgeloos

La Mort de Sainte Alméenne. An opera by Arthur Honegger for voice and piano.

Een Totale Entführung. An adaptation of Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart.

This production of Transparant is selected for the Dutch-Flemish Theaterfestival TF-1.

version of Il Re Pastore. Together with visual artist Hans Op De Beeck and director Wouter Van Looy, Henderickx presents Erbarme Dich in October 2007.

© Herman Sorgeloos

The girl, the boy, the river.

Philosophical love-story for a young audience.

Muziektheater Transparant is a production company that shifts the boundaries between opera and musical theatre. The voice is placed firmly at the centre of the projects, and they continually blend the old and the new.

With a most open approach towards the possibilities of musical theatre, general director Guy Coolen has made of Transparant a unique organisation, thanks to the flexible production methods and the artistic diversity of the eight artists in residence.

Transparant is internationally active: touring productions are an important part of their work, and they have performed at many festivals, including

Salzburger Festspiele, Avignon Festival, Holland Festival, KunstenfestivaldesArts.

Transparant regularly collaborates with other producers and artists, most particularly deSingel, De Munt, Vlaamse Opera, Vooruit. Unique in this regard, is the Institute for Living Voice project, a peripatetic workshop at which international singers from all musical traditions come together to hold workshops and give recitals.

For Stavanger, Cultural Capital of Europe 2008, Transparant has been invited for a residence in February 2008.

Transparant will show productions such as RUHE, Wolpe!, The girl, the boy and the river, Erbarme Dich and organise

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© Herman Sorgeloos

RUHE, recital of lieder brutally interrupted by people who wish to talk about their voluntary enlistment in the SS in WWII.

workshops, a new session of Institute for Living Voice, and a new project with children from Stavanger.

Artists in residence Wim Henderickx’ music is influenced by Oriental music and philosophy. His opera Triumph of Spirit over Matter (2000) was created in La Monnaie (Brussels) in commission of Muziektheater Transparant. Achilleus (opera for young people) was created in 2003 in The Flemish Opera and was also translated in Danish and performed several times in Copenhagen. In 2006 he created Een totale Entführung, an adaptation of Die Entführung aus dem Serail, directed by Ramsey Nasr, who previously directed a remarkable

Best of Belgium

43

Wouter Van Looy is artistic director of Transparant together with Guy Coolen. Next to working with professionals, Van Looy works with young and inexperienced musicians and actors. That resulted amongst others in the production Drift, selected for the annual Flemish-Dutch Theatre Festival 2004. Van Looy is also organizing music festivals for kids with Zonzo-company, and is one of the leading forces behind the Institute for Living Voice. Recent productions by Van Looy include Bluebeard’s Castle (Bartòk), Sestina (Monteverdi) and Dido (Van Outryve / Purcell).

The girl, the boy, the river is a collaboration between Van Looy and composer Jan Van Outryve. Influenced by his lute-playing and his broad knowledge of ancient music, especially renaissance and baroque, Van Outryve worked with music from Purcell (Dido, Ik vlieg) and Claudio Monteverdi (Sestina, Drift, Zone Orfeo, L’Arianna) or Sephardic singing from the Spanish

Renaissance (Floris en Blancefloer).

Composer and saxophonist Eric Sleichim is founder of the Bl!ndman quartet. With Transparant he examines the theatrical possiblities of his music.

Based on a fascination for intriguing artists, he composed and directed the productions Men in Tribulation (inspired

by Antonin Artaud) and Intra-Muros (inspired by Pier Paolo Pasolini).

Starting from her background as actor, director Caroline Petrick explores the physical and spatial confrontation with new music and forgotten operas, e.g. La Mort de Sainte Alméenne from Arthur Honegger. In her newest production, Wolpe!, she approaches the music from Stephan Wolpe.

Annelies Van Parys and Joachim Brackx, two most promising flemish composers, are invited for a three-year residence to put their first steps in music theatre. Van Parys composes for RUHE, and they collaborate on a project for choirs in Stavanger 2008 and on a project on Belgian short films from the silent era.

For the full programme and information about Muziektheater Transparant, read more at www.transparant.be.

Arts

ROYAL FLEMISH PHILHARMONIC deFILHARMONIE

Under the leadership of its musical director, Philippe Herreweghe, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic has evolved into a modern, stylistically multi-cultural symphony orchestra. This ensemble has gained an artistic flexibility that permits it to interpret a variety of styles – from Baroque to Contemporary – in a historically authentic manner. Given his particular background, Philippe Herreweghe devotes himself to the (pre)Romantic repertoire. He works in close co-operation with chief conductor Daniele Callegari.

In the 2008-2009 season Jaap van Zweden will be appointed principal conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic. This internationally acclaimed conductor will work in close co-operation with Herreweghe.

and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid. International concert tours through various European countries and Japan are a constant item on the yearly calendar.

The orchestra can also be heard locally as well as on the great stages at home and abroad. Thus the orchestra makes its appearance at a variety of cultural institutions and centres scattered all over Flanders.

The Royal Flemish Philharmonic can often be heard on its media partner, Radio Klara. A number of its CD recordings Thanks to its own series of concerts in large halls, the Royal have won prizes with the professional Flemish Philharmonic occupies a unique position in Flanders. The orchestra counts the Queen Elisabeth Hall and deSingel in Antwerp, press, such as Daniel Sternefeld’s opera Mater dolorosa, a recording of the the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, de Bijloke in Ghent complete symphonies of Luc Brewaeys and the Bruges Concertgebouw as regular podia. In addition, the and Karel Goeyvaerts’ opera, Aquarius.

Philharmonic attaches great value to developing youth projects, Recently the orchestra released a CD such as the KIDconcerts and the pedagogical ‘OORcolleges’, with orchestrations of Maurice Ravel and where the orchestra guides children and youngsters through the a recording of Brewaeys’ orchestration of symphonic tonal universe.

Claude Debussy’s Préludes (awarded the KLARA-Muziekprijs for best international The Royal Flemish Philharmonic has also been a guest of some CD). The orchestra recorded the CD major foreign concert halls: the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Dangerous liaison with orchestral works Vienna, the Festspielhaus in Salzburg, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Théâtre des Champs- written by jazz composer Bert Joris for Elysées in Paris, the Munich Philharmonie, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt a symphonic orchestra and big band

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with Daniele Callegari and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. Music Director Philippe Herreweghe has prepared a complete recording of Beethoven’s symphonies of which the first CD (with the Fourth and Seventh symphony) is already available. For this complete recording, the orchestra works together with the Dutch label Pentatone.

Further engagements with Pentatone include CDs with music by Schubert, Mendelssohn and Stravinsky.

Recently the orchestra has agreed to work together on a series of concerts with the TV facilities provider Alfacam and its sistercompany Euro1080, the HDTV media company. Alfacam will record concerts of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic in HDTV and Euro1080 will broadcast the concerts via its pan European HDTV Culture Channel EXQI.

Philippe Herreweghe: Musical Director Jaap van Zweden: Chief Conductor Hans Waege: General Manager

Best of Belgium

45

The Royal Flemish Philharmonic… · Holds a unique position in the Flemish cultural landscape as Flanders’ largest and most prominent repertoire orchestra. · Is an orchestra that always places a musical emphasis on the comprehensive, accessible orchestra repertoire, covering the whole range of classic to contemporary. · Prefers a close collaboration with top-class soloists and world-class directors. · Is a musical institution that appeals to a broad audience and which uses an efficient target group policy to provide products for various population groups. · Has a prominent presence abroad with concert tours, CD and DVD productions. · Is a company with an artistic and administrative management team that resolutely opts in favour of modern (culture) management. · Can pride itself on an extensive network of valuable contacts. · Collaborates with various Flemish corporate partners. · Plays an average of 110 concerts per season. · Reaches approximately 100,000 music lovers per season, including well over 10,000 children and young people. · Has an annual turnover of € 8.6 million, and total assets amounting to € 5.7 million. · Employs a staff of 100 people, including 83 musicians and 17 administrative employees.

Arts

ROYAL FLEMISH PHILHARMONIC deFILHARMONIE

Under the leadership of its musical director, Philippe Herreweghe, the Royal Flemish Philharmonic has evolved into a modern, stylistically multi-cultural symphony orchestra. This ensemble has gained an artistic flexibility that permits it to interpret a variety of styles – from Baroque to Contemporary – in a historically authentic manner. Given his particular background, Philippe Herreweghe devotes himself to the (pre)Romantic repertoire. He works in close co-operation with chief conductor Daniele Callegari.

In the 2008-2009 season Jaap van Zweden will be appointed principal conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic. This internationally acclaimed conductor will work in close co-operation with Herreweghe.

and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid. International concert tours through various European countries and Japan are a constant item on the yearly calendar.

The orchestra can also be heard locally as well as on the great stages at home and abroad. Thus the orchestra makes its appearance at a variety of cultural institutions and centres scattered all over Flanders.

The Royal Flemish Philharmonic can often be heard on its media partner, Radio Klara. A number of its CD recordings Thanks to its own series of concerts in large halls, the Royal have won prizes with the professional Flemish Philharmonic occupies a unique position in Flanders. The orchestra counts the Queen Elisabeth Hall and deSingel in Antwerp, press, such as Daniel Sternefeld’s opera Mater dolorosa, a recording of the the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, de Bijloke in Ghent complete symphonies of Luc Brewaeys and the Bruges Concertgebouw as regular podia. In addition, the and Karel Goeyvaerts’ opera, Aquarius.

Philharmonic attaches great value to developing youth projects, Recently the orchestra released a CD such as the KIDconcerts and the pedagogical ‘OORcolleges’, with orchestrations of Maurice Ravel and where the orchestra guides children and youngsters through the a recording of Brewaeys’ orchestration of symphonic tonal universe.

Claude Debussy’s Préludes (awarded the KLARA-Muziekprijs for best international The Royal Flemish Philharmonic has also been a guest of some CD). The orchestra recorded the CD major foreign concert halls: the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Dangerous liaison with orchestral works Vienna, the Festspielhaus in Salzburg, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Théâtre des Champs- written by jazz composer Bert Joris for Elysées in Paris, the Munich Philharmonie, the Alte Oper in Frankfurt a symphonic orchestra and big band

44

Best of Belgium

with Daniele Callegari and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. Music Director Philippe Herreweghe has prepared a complete recording of Beethoven’s symphonies of which the first CD (with the Fourth and Seventh symphony) is already available. For this complete recording, the orchestra works together with the Dutch label Pentatone.

Further engagements with Pentatone include CDs with music by Schubert, Mendelssohn and Stravinsky.

Recently the orchestra has agreed to work together on a series of concerts with the TV facilities provider Alfacam and its sistercompany Euro1080, the HDTV media company. Alfacam will record concerts of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic in HDTV and Euro1080 will broadcast the concerts via its pan European HDTV Culture Channel EXQI.

Philippe Herreweghe: Musical Director Jaap van Zweden: Chief Conductor Hans Waege: General Manager

Best of Belgium

45

The Royal Flemish Philharmonic… · Holds a unique position in the Flemish cultural landscape as Flanders’ largest and most prominent repertoire orchestra. · Is an orchestra that always places a musical emphasis on the comprehensive, accessible orchestra repertoire, covering the whole range of classic to contemporary. · Prefers a close collaboration with top-class soloists and world-class directors. · Is a musical institution that appeals to a broad audience and which uses an efficient target group policy to provide products for various population groups. · Has a prominent presence abroad with concert tours, CD and DVD productions. · Is a company with an artistic and administrative management team that resolutely opts in favour of modern (culture) management. · Can pride itself on an extensive network of valuable contacts. · Collaborates with various Flemish corporate partners. · Plays an average of 110 concerts per season. · Reaches approximately 100,000 music lovers per season, including well over 10,000 children and young people. · Has an annual turnover of € 8.6 million, and total assets amounting to € 5.7 million. · Employs a staff of 100 people, including 83 musicians and 17 administrative employees.

Arts

The Ghent International Film Festival Where music sets the tone The Ghent Film Festival (Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent) was established in 1974 as a students’ film festival, and has since developed into one of Europe’s most prominent film events. © Luk Monsaert

© Veva van Sloun

Composer Angelo Badalementi, Soundtrack Composer of the Year 2005

© Luk Monsaert

© Luk Monsaert

Director David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen (2005)

Morgan Freeman (2000)

Every year in October, the festival presents some 170 feature films and 70 short films from all across the world. A range of different film programs are showcased, attracting over 110,000 viewers each year.

The International Federation of Film Producers Associations (IFFPA) recognises this festival as a competitive festival primarily geared towards the ‘impact of music on film’. There are 4 awards up for grabs and around 15 entrants.

With its focus on film music, the Ghent Film Festival has its own unique place in international festivals. Every year, the festival organises film music concerts, giving composers of film scores the platform they deserve.

Composers such as Ennio Morricone, Gabriel Yared, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Kamen, Patrick Doyle, Howard Shore, Georges Delerue, Hans Zimmer, Maurice Jarre, Craig Armstrong, Gustavo Santaolalla are some of the many film music legends who have already taken the stage at Ghent.

Since 2001, the Ghent Film Festival has also organised the World Soundtrack Awards, the most prestigious soundtrack awards in the world.

Each year, the best soundtrack composers are honoured and receive international recognition for their work. This pioneering role has certainly had an impact. Ghent has grown into a meeting point for established and up-and-coming musical talent and ever greater numbers of festivals play soundtracks from the wings. Since 2004, even the European Film Academy – encouraged by the Ghent Film Festival - has honoured the best European soundtrack composers.

© Luk Monsaert

Actor/directorJeroen Krabbé at the 2001 edition with ‘Discovery of Heaven’

46

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

47

Yet there is more to the Ghent Film Festival than just soundtracks alone.

Every year, numerous international guests from the world of film flock to Ghent to present their films to the general public. Over the past years, the festival has welcomed stars such as Viggo Mortensen, David Cronenberg, Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Jeanne Moreau, Gina Lollobrigida, Tom Tykwer, Sir Peter Ustinov, Sidney Pollack, Jane Birkin, Luc Besson, Mike Figgis, Morgan Freeman, Andy Garcia, Melanie Griffith, Robert Altman, Juliette Binoche, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Jeanne Moreau, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke.

In addition to the screenings, the Ghent Film Festival also organises film-related exhibitions. Thus the prestigious Stanley Kubrick exhibition, which was previously shown in Berlin, Melbourne and Frankfurt-am-Main, was brought to Ghent before other world cities such as Rome, Paris and London. Film fanatics have also been able to see exhibitions of film maker Peter Greenaway, animation film maker Raoul Servais, and the large exhibition Cités-Cinés with over 450,000 visitors.

The Ghent Film Festival will continue to keep a close watch on international film developments in order to organise a festival that is as captivating as possible. To this end, a fresh, young team works hard day after day. www.filmfestival.be www.worldsoundtrackawards.com

Arts

The Ghent International Film Festival Where music sets the tone The Ghent Film Festival (Flanders International Film Festival-Ghent) was established in 1974 as a students’ film festival, and has since developed into one of Europe’s most prominent film events. © Luk Monsaert

© Veva van Sloun

Composer Angelo Badalementi, Soundtrack Composer of the Year 2005

© Luk Monsaert

© Luk Monsaert

Director David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen (2005)

Morgan Freeman (2000)

Every year in October, the festival presents some 170 feature films and 70 short films from all across the world. A range of different film programs are showcased, attracting over 110,000 viewers each year.

The International Federation of Film Producers Associations (IFFPA) recognises this festival as a competitive festival primarily geared towards the ‘impact of music on film’. There are 4 awards up for grabs and around 15 entrants.

With its focus on film music, the Ghent Film Festival has its own unique place in international festivals. Every year, the festival organises film music concerts, giving composers of film scores the platform they deserve.

Composers such as Ennio Morricone, Gabriel Yared, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Kamen, Patrick Doyle, Howard Shore, Georges Delerue, Hans Zimmer, Maurice Jarre, Craig Armstrong, Gustavo Santaolalla are some of the many film music legends who have already taken the stage at Ghent.

Since 2001, the Ghent Film Festival has also organised the World Soundtrack Awards, the most prestigious soundtrack awards in the world.

Each year, the best soundtrack composers are honoured and receive international recognition for their work. This pioneering role has certainly had an impact. Ghent has grown into a meeting point for established and up-and-coming musical talent and ever greater numbers of festivals play soundtracks from the wings. Since 2004, even the European Film Academy – encouraged by the Ghent Film Festival - has honoured the best European soundtrack composers.

© Luk Monsaert

Actor/directorJeroen Krabbé at the 2001 edition with ‘Discovery of Heaven’

46

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

47

Yet there is more to the Ghent Film Festival than just soundtracks alone.

Every year, numerous international guests from the world of film flock to Ghent to present their films to the general public. Over the past years, the festival has welcomed stars such as Viggo Mortensen, David Cronenberg, Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Jeanne Moreau, Gina Lollobrigida, Tom Tykwer, Sir Peter Ustinov, Sidney Pollack, Jane Birkin, Luc Besson, Mike Figgis, Morgan Freeman, Andy Garcia, Melanie Griffith, Robert Altman, Juliette Binoche, Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Jeanne Moreau, Ken Loach and Michael Haneke.

In addition to the screenings, the Ghent Film Festival also organises film-related exhibitions. Thus the prestigious Stanley Kubrick exhibition, which was previously shown in Berlin, Melbourne and Frankfurt-am-Main, was brought to Ghent before other world cities such as Rome, Paris and London. Film fanatics have also been able to see exhibitions of film maker Peter Greenaway, animation film maker Raoul Servais, and the large exhibition Cités-Cinés with over 450,000 visitors.

The Ghent Film Festival will continue to keep a close watch on international film developments in order to organise a festival that is as captivating as possible. To this end, a fresh, young team works hard day after day. www.filmfestival.be www.worldsoundtrackawards.com

Arts

Unique Creations Bridging East and West Haute couture from flowers, leaves, twigs and fruits.

That is how Daniël Ost’s gorgeous creations are deservedly known to many people. For decades he has been one of the most appreciated flower arrangers in the world.

Since over twenty years, Daniël Ost has been scouring the world from East to West, from Miami to Seoul through Bordeaux, Genoa or Kyoto, in order to find the perfect combination for his art with the environment. As a passionate artist he seems not to want to make any compromises in achieving absolute perfection. Daniël Ost’s creations are therefore often intriguing. You find yourself wondering curiously how they came about – like the countless waterlilies rising to the surface of a pond on a grey day, or the autumn leaves of the Gingko biloba seemingly defying gravity in a Japanese house.

Although his work clearly shows him to be an artist, Daniël Ost desires to remain first and foremost a florist fascinated by the shape, colour and structure of flowers, leaves, twigs and fruits. “While others assume that a cut flower is a dead flower, I try to extend its life, that is to say, its ‘moment of beauty’,” the world citizen says as he explains his passion.

His masterful creations are much sought after by businesses, celebrities and the Belgian royal family. The monumental magnificence of flowers at crown prince Philip’s and prince Laurent’s weddings was a beautiful example of his astonishing universe. And although Daniël Ost’s designs often look luxurious, he is nevertheless eager to share his view on the beauty of flowers with everybody in his shops in Sint-Niklaas and Brussels.

Even a simple flower can have as much power as a royal bouquet...

Designing gardens is Daniël Ost’s latest challenge. His gardens, just like

48

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

49

his flower arrangements, are true works of art, continually evolving and at the same time striving for lasting perfection.

Daniël Ost’s original compositions almost beg for a camera. He therefore often captures the unique moment of his creations’ unfolding themselves in full beauty in a photograph. With justified pride he has displayed his work, accompanied by due comments, in several monographs.

His latest book, “East x West”, examines in detail his fascination for the far East, especially Japan. He has been visiting Japan several times a year for numerous events since 1985, and has succeeded in finding a subtle balance between the simplicity and traditions of the East and the Western art of flower arrangement.

Daniël Ost - Floreal Onze Lieve-Vrouwplein 26 - 9100 Sint-Niklaas - Belgium Tel +32-(0)3-776 17 15 - Fax +32-(0)3-778 13 58 Daniël Ost rue Royale 13 - 1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel +32-(0)2-217 29 17 - Fax +32-(0)2-217 31 99 For further information: www.danielost.be - info@danielost.be

Arts

Unique Creations Bridging East and West Haute couture from flowers, leaves, twigs and fruits.

That is how Daniël Ost’s gorgeous creations are deservedly known to many people. For decades he has been one of the most appreciated flower arrangers in the world.

Since over twenty years, Daniël Ost has been scouring the world from East to West, from Miami to Seoul through Bordeaux, Genoa or Kyoto, in order to find the perfect combination for his art with the environment. As a passionate artist he seems not to want to make any compromises in achieving absolute perfection. Daniël Ost’s creations are therefore often intriguing. You find yourself wondering curiously how they came about – like the countless waterlilies rising to the surface of a pond on a grey day, or the autumn leaves of the Gingko biloba seemingly defying gravity in a Japanese house.

Although his work clearly shows him to be an artist, Daniël Ost desires to remain first and foremost a florist fascinated by the shape, colour and structure of flowers, leaves, twigs and fruits. “While others assume that a cut flower is a dead flower, I try to extend its life, that is to say, its ‘moment of beauty’,” the world citizen says as he explains his passion.

His masterful creations are much sought after by businesses, celebrities and the Belgian royal family. The monumental magnificence of flowers at crown prince Philip’s and prince Laurent’s weddings was a beautiful example of his astonishing universe. And although Daniël Ost’s designs often look luxurious, he is nevertheless eager to share his view on the beauty of flowers with everybody in his shops in Sint-Niklaas and Brussels.

Even a simple flower can have as much power as a royal bouquet...

Designing gardens is Daniël Ost’s latest challenge. His gardens, just like

48

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

49

his flower arrangements, are true works of art, continually evolving and at the same time striving for lasting perfection.

Daniël Ost’s original compositions almost beg for a camera. He therefore often captures the unique moment of his creations’ unfolding themselves in full beauty in a photograph. With justified pride he has displayed his work, accompanied by due comments, in several monographs.

His latest book, “East x West”, examines in detail his fascination for the far East, especially Japan. He has been visiting Japan several times a year for numerous events since 1985, and has succeeded in finding a subtle balance between the simplicity and traditions of the East and the Western art of flower arrangement.

Daniël Ost - Floreal Onze Lieve-Vrouwplein 26 - 9100 Sint-Niklaas - Belgium Tel +32-(0)3-776 17 15 - Fax +32-(0)3-778 13 58 Daniël Ost rue Royale 13 - 1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel +32-(0)2-217 29 17 - Fax +32-(0)2-217 31 99 For further information: www.danielost.be - info@danielost.be

Arts

AXEL VERVOORDT At the close of the ‘60s, the conservation of sixteen remarkable Renaissance houses in the centre of Antwerp, known as the “Vlaaikensgang”, established Axel Vervoordt’ reputation as ‘connaisseur d’art’. It was here that Vervoordt, at the time a 21 year old from Antwerp, began integrating his eclectic art collection.

© Congoblue

objects which I put into houses. In the end the people living in the house must be able to find more of themselves than of my intervention and that intervention has to be a permanent source of inspiration for the future.”

The castle is both family home and an environment in which to exhibit an everchanging selection of rarities from the stock, so it is in a constant state of decorative flux depending on what has recently been bought and sold.

In 1984, the Castle of ‘s-Gravenwezel was bought from the Gillès de Pelichy family. This castle, with roots dating back to the 12th century, currently offers the widest range of art one can imagine. The whole structure has been restored in order to create fifty totally different rooms, each featuring their very own style and character.

The interior shows an eclectic combination of high quality works of art ranging from archaeological Egyptian stone vessels and Asian sculptures to 18th century furniture and contemporary paintings.

All objects, regardless of their origin and value, are infused with timeless beauty and an intrinsic purity that keep their contemporary relevance. The authenticity of each piece is important. It may never be gaudy or superfluous; an interior may never

Increasing sales, partly due to the development of the decoration and renovation services Axel Vervoordt offers world-wide, made it possible to expand his offering to include the entire art-spectrum.

He started a modern collection of home furnishings and an architectural department was added for handling all aspects of home restoration and renovation.

become ‘décor’. Axel Vervoordt explains: “The idea behind decoration is not decorating.

I like art from all genres, from all parts of the world and from all sorts of periods. I like everything that is honest and real. I, for example, really adore ‘arte povera’, the free art of shepherds or monks from the mountains, who with respect for nature hundreds of years ago made the most beautiful minimalistic objects. On the other hand, baroque and very sophisticated objects can be chosen because of their effect, their craftsmanship, their exuberance, but never only to show off riches as such.

A sense of proportion dominates my taste.

I try as much as possible to avoid the purely decorative but I do want to achieve an effect of harmony between the architectural environment, the furnishings and the works of art and antique

50

Best of Belgium

In November 1999 Axel Vervoordt opened a new project named “Axel Vervoordt – Kanaal”, located in Wijnegem. This large industrial complex from around 1870, christened “Kanaal”, consists of several warehouses adjoining eight grain silos. The pure and simple forms of this industrial space, never designed with an aesthetic goal in mind, allowed Vervoordt to retain

Best of Belgium

51

the natural integrity of the building as much as possible. As a complementary site to the castle, in the exhibition and sale of furniture and works of art, this project is perfectly suited to the organisation of various activities such as changing exhibitions, video-art, concerts and offering a platform for young artists of different styles and disciplines.

Castle of ‘s-Gravenwezel St. Jobsteenweg 64 B-2970 s-Gravenwezel Belgium By appointment only Telephone: +32 (0)3 658 14 70 Fax: +32 (0)3 658 37 81 www.axel-vervoordt.com

Axel Vervoordt Kanaal Stokerijstraat 15 - 19 B-2110 Wijnegem Belgium Opening hours Thu-Fri: 14.00-18.00 and Sat: 11.00-18.00 Telephone: +32 (03) 355 33 00 Fax: +32 (03) 355 33 01

Arts

AXEL VERVOORDT At the close of the ‘60s, the conservation of sixteen remarkable Renaissance houses in the centre of Antwerp, known as the “Vlaaikensgang”, established Axel Vervoordt’ reputation as ‘connaisseur d’art’. It was here that Vervoordt, at the time a 21 year old from Antwerp, began integrating his eclectic art collection.

© Congoblue

objects which I put into houses. In the end the people living in the house must be able to find more of themselves than of my intervention and that intervention has to be a permanent source of inspiration for the future.”

The castle is both family home and an environment in which to exhibit an everchanging selection of rarities from the stock, so it is in a constant state of decorative flux depending on what has recently been bought and sold.

In 1984, the Castle of ‘s-Gravenwezel was bought from the Gillès de Pelichy family. This castle, with roots dating back to the 12th century, currently offers the widest range of art one can imagine. The whole structure has been restored in order to create fifty totally different rooms, each featuring their very own style and character.

The interior shows an eclectic combination of high quality works of art ranging from archaeological Egyptian stone vessels and Asian sculptures to 18th century furniture and contemporary paintings.

All objects, regardless of their origin and value, are infused with timeless beauty and an intrinsic purity that keep their contemporary relevance. The authenticity of each piece is important. It may never be gaudy or superfluous; an interior may never

Increasing sales, partly due to the development of the decoration and renovation services Axel Vervoordt offers world-wide, made it possible to expand his offering to include the entire art-spectrum.

He started a modern collection of home furnishings and an architectural department was added for handling all aspects of home restoration and renovation.

become ‘décor’. Axel Vervoordt explains: “The idea behind decoration is not decorating.

I like art from all genres, from all parts of the world and from all sorts of periods. I like everything that is honest and real. I, for example, really adore ‘arte povera’, the free art of shepherds or monks from the mountains, who with respect for nature hundreds of years ago made the most beautiful minimalistic objects. On the other hand, baroque and very sophisticated objects can be chosen because of their effect, their craftsmanship, their exuberance, but never only to show off riches as such.

A sense of proportion dominates my taste.

I try as much as possible to avoid the purely decorative but I do want to achieve an effect of harmony between the architectural environment, the furnishings and the works of art and antique

50

Best of Belgium

In November 1999 Axel Vervoordt opened a new project named “Axel Vervoordt – Kanaal”, located in Wijnegem. This large industrial complex from around 1870, christened “Kanaal”, consists of several warehouses adjoining eight grain silos. The pure and simple forms of this industrial space, never designed with an aesthetic goal in mind, allowed Vervoordt to retain

Best of Belgium

51

the natural integrity of the building as much as possible. As a complementary site to the castle, in the exhibition and sale of furniture and works of art, this project is perfectly suited to the organisation of various activities such as changing exhibitions, video-art, concerts and offering a platform for young artists of different styles and disciplines.

Castle of ‘s-Gravenwezel St. Jobsteenweg 64 B-2970 s-Gravenwezel Belgium By appointment only Telephone: +32 (0)3 658 14 70 Fax: +32 (0)3 658 37 81 www.axel-vervoordt.com

Axel Vervoordt Kanaal Stokerijstraat 15 - 19 B-2110 Wijnegem Belgium Opening hours Thu-Fri: 14.00-18.00 and Sat: 11.00-18.00 Telephone: +32 (03) 355 33 00 Fax: +32 (03) 355 33 01

Arts

Centre for Fine Arts The Centre for Fine Arts: a vibrant arts centre in an art deco masterpiece, a million visitors every season!

An art deco masterpiece by Victor Horta, the Centre for Fine Arts is one of the jewels of Belgium’s cultural heritage.

Following intensive restoration work, the Centre has now reintroduced its original layout consisting of a network of exhibition rooms, theatres and the Henry Le Boeuf Hall – a concert hall seating 2 200 – to which have been added new multimedia rooms.

An exceptional building, but also a house bubbling with international-level cultural and artistic activities: • More than 250 concerts a year, from chamber music to symphony orchestras.

• A score of individual or thematic exhibitions, from ancient to contemporary art.

• Prestigious previews and avant-garde

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Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

53

projects.

• Interactive exhibitions, and workshops for children and the family.

• And also: modern theatre and dance, writers and events… www.bozar.be + 32 (0)2 507 82 00 Palais des Beaux-Arts Paleis voor Schone Kunsten Centre for Fine Arts Rue Ravensteinstraat 23 1000 Brussels

Arts

Centre for Fine Arts The Centre for Fine Arts: a vibrant arts centre in an art deco masterpiece, a million visitors every season!

An art deco masterpiece by Victor Horta, the Centre for Fine Arts is one of the jewels of Belgium’s cultural heritage.

Following intensive restoration work, the Centre has now reintroduced its original layout consisting of a network of exhibition rooms, theatres and the Henry Le Boeuf Hall – a concert hall seating 2 200 – to which have been added new multimedia rooms.

An exceptional building, but also a house bubbling with international-level cultural and artistic activities: • More than 250 concerts a year, from chamber music to symphony orchestras.

• A score of individual or thematic exhibitions, from ancient to contemporary art.

• Prestigious previews and avant-garde

52

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

53

projects.

• Interactive exhibitions, and workshops for children and the family.

• And also: modern theatre and dance, writers and events… www.bozar.be + 32 (0)2 507 82 00 Palais des Beaux-Arts Paleis voor Schone Kunsten Centre for Fine Arts Rue Ravensteinstraat 23 1000 Brussels

Arts

KVS Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg Royal Flemish Theatre

© Toon Grobet

© Saskia Vanderstichelen

Singhet ende weset vro

Since the opening of this season, KVS has taken over the brand new infrastructure in the Lakensestraat and the Arduinkaai.

The three spaces Bol, Box and Top have been running at full tilt and the popular Café Congo continues to draw people by day and in the evening. A variety of new KVS productions, revivals of past successes, local and international guest performances, theatre, dance, music, film, literature, standup comedy, debates, parties, etc.: KVS’s programme is as diverse and exciting as Brussels itself.

© Toon Grobet

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Best of Belgium

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KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg – Royal Flemish Theatre) quai aux pierres de taille 7 1000 Brussels Info & Tickets 02/210 11 12 www.kvs.be

© Toon Grobet

Arts

KVS Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg Royal Flemish Theatre

© Toon Grobet

© Saskia Vanderstichelen

Singhet ende weset vro

Since the opening of this season, KVS has taken over the brand new infrastructure in the Lakensestraat and the Arduinkaai.

The three spaces Bol, Box and Top have been running at full tilt and the popular Café Congo continues to draw people by day and in the evening. A variety of new KVS productions, revivals of past successes, local and international guest performances, theatre, dance, music, film, literature, standup comedy, debates, parties, etc.: KVS’s programme is as diverse and exciting as Brussels itself.

© Toon Grobet

54

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

55

KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg – Royal Flemish Theatre) quai aux pierres de taille 7 1000 Brussels Info & Tickets 02/210 11 12 www.kvs.be

© Toon Grobet

Arts

Fondation Leblanc The Remarkable Story Behind the Belgian Comic Strip Tradition

© ch. Gibey

Tintin and Spirou constitute the two different styles that were to characterise the biggest comic strip movements of the 1950s and ‘60s, the Brussels school rivalling with the Charleroi school. The Spirou character was taken up by Jijé and then by Franquin, who lifted the comic to its highest graphic level. Hergé and Franquin were two antipodal Belgian authors. The former was the more realistic, epitomising the ligne claire style, while the latter had an alert and humorous style with unbridled lettering and rounded speech-bubbles, epitomising the Marcinelle school.

The Marcinelle school on the other hand, backed by the weekly Spirou magazine, published the works of authors just as famous: Franquin, but also Tif et Tondu (Dineur, then Will), Buck Danny (Hubinon and Charlier) and especially the lonesome cowboy Lucky Luke (Morris, then Morris and Goscinny). Its skilful combination of humour, detective story and adventure doubtless accounts for part of Spirou’s success. During the ‘50s, other comic strips made their appearance, such as Johan and Peewit (Peyo), which gave rise to the famous Smurfs.

The weekly Tintin magazine began to appear just after the Second World War. It was created on September 26th, 1946

by Raymond Leblanc, and would come to represent the Brussels school, of which the uncontested masters were Hergé, of course, but also Jacobs, Cuvelier, Martin, Vandersteen, etc. These artists’ graphic style was very sober, purifying the contours of the characters and of the scenery, favouring flat tints and rectangular speech-bubbles and stylising the drawing as far as possible.

Today, Belgian comic strips are as exciting and varied as ever, with the works of Johan de Moor, Largo Winch (Van Hamme and Francq), I.R.$. (Vranken and Desberg), Young Spirou (Tome and Janry), Jojo (Geerts) and many others.

From its very first issue, Tintin began to constitute a “catalogue” of exceptional series, with Tintin himself in Prisoners of the Sun, Blake and Mortimer (Jacobs) in The Swordfish, L’Extraordinaire Odyssée de Corentin Feldoë (Cuvelier), etc. Later Alix the Intrepid (Jacques Martin) appeared, as well as Bob & Bobette (Vandersteen).

The publication in Le Petit Vingtième of the Tintin adventures created by Hergé, on January 10th, 1929, marked a major event. From the very first episode, the awkwardly drawn Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, the very simple plot would consist of sending the hero across the world on giddy adventures. By The Blue Lotus (1934), Hergé had mastered both the drawing and the plot. He had purified his graphic style, abandoned hatching, shadows and shading and created realistic and

The magazine continued its ascent during the ‘50s thanks to the arrival of new series such as Ric Hochet (Tibet and Duchâteau), Pom et Teddy (Craenhals), Chlorophylle (Macherot), Modeste et Pompon (Franquin), Le Chevalier blanc (Funcken), Michel Vaillant (Graton) and Oumpah-Pah (Uderzo and Goscinny). During the ‘60s the team continued to be infused with new blood in the form of the talented Greg, Dany, Dupa, de Groot, Hermann, Denayer, Paape, etc.

well-documented scenery, foreshadowing what would come to be known as the “ligne claire” style.

On April 21st, 1938, Tintin’s most famous rival, Spirou, made his appearance. The character, created by Rob Vel, gave rise to Le Journal de Spirou, launched by Jean Dupuis. The first decade of the life of the publication can be considered as having been a preparatory period, exhibiting a sometimes hesitant graphic style.

56

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

57

Belgium is steadfastly perpetuating its comic strip tradition. Brussels houses three noteworthy museums: le Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée (Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art), located in a splendid art deco building, la Maison de la Bande Dessinée (House of the Comic Strip) and la Fondation Raymond Leblanc (Raymond Leblanc Foundation). This latter, a little gem located in the famous Tintin building near the Midi station, was inaugurated on September 26th, 2006, 60 years from the birth of the Tintin magazine. It focuses on Raymond Leblanc’s exceptional career and organises especially interesting temporary exhibitions, enjoying the advantage of invaluable archives and art loans.

Fondation Leblanc Avenue Paul-Henri Spaak, 7 B-1060 Bruxelles Tél: +32 (0)2/520.70.09 Fax: +32 (0)2/521.70.09 info@fondationrleblanc.be www.fondationrleblanc.be

Arts

Fondation Leblanc The Remarkable Story Behind the Belgian Comic Strip Tradition

© ch. Gibey

Tintin and Spirou constitute the two different styles that were to characterise the biggest comic strip movements of the 1950s and ‘60s, the Brussels school rivalling with the Charleroi school. The Spirou character was taken up by Jijé and then by Franquin, who lifted the comic to its highest graphic level. Hergé and Franquin were two antipodal Belgian authors. The former was the more realistic, epitomising the ligne claire style, while the latter had an alert and humorous style with unbridled lettering and rounded speech-bubbles, epitomising the Marcinelle school.

The Marcinelle school on the other hand, backed by the weekly Spirou magazine, published the works of authors just as famous: Franquin, but also Tif et Tondu (Dineur, then Will), Buck Danny (Hubinon and Charlier) and especially the lonesome cowboy Lucky Luke (Morris, then Morris and Goscinny). Its skilful combination of humour, detective story and adventure doubtless accounts for part of Spirou’s success. During the ‘50s, other comic strips made their appearance, such as Johan and Peewit (Peyo), which gave rise to the famous Smurfs.

The weekly Tintin magazine began to appear just after the Second World War. It was created on September 26th, 1946

by Raymond Leblanc, and would come to represent the Brussels school, of which the uncontested masters were Hergé, of course, but also Jacobs, Cuvelier, Martin, Vandersteen, etc. These artists’ graphic style was very sober, purifying the contours of the characters and of the scenery, favouring flat tints and rectangular speech-bubbles and stylising the drawing as far as possible.

Today, Belgian comic strips are as exciting and varied as ever, with the works of Johan de Moor, Largo Winch (Van Hamme and Francq), I.R.$. (Vranken and Desberg), Young Spirou (Tome and Janry), Jojo (Geerts) and many others.

From its very first issue, Tintin began to constitute a “catalogue” of exceptional series, with Tintin himself in Prisoners of the Sun, Blake and Mortimer (Jacobs) in The Swordfish, L’Extraordinaire Odyssée de Corentin Feldoë (Cuvelier), etc. Later Alix the Intrepid (Jacques Martin) appeared, as well as Bob & Bobette (Vandersteen).

The publication in Le Petit Vingtième of the Tintin adventures created by Hergé, on January 10th, 1929, marked a major event. From the very first episode, the awkwardly drawn Tintin in the Land of the Soviets, the very simple plot would consist of sending the hero across the world on giddy adventures. By The Blue Lotus (1934), Hergé had mastered both the drawing and the plot. He had purified his graphic style, abandoned hatching, shadows and shading and created realistic and

The magazine continued its ascent during the ‘50s thanks to the arrival of new series such as Ric Hochet (Tibet and Duchâteau), Pom et Teddy (Craenhals), Chlorophylle (Macherot), Modeste et Pompon (Franquin), Le Chevalier blanc (Funcken), Michel Vaillant (Graton) and Oumpah-Pah (Uderzo and Goscinny). During the ‘60s the team continued to be infused with new blood in the form of the talented Greg, Dany, Dupa, de Groot, Hermann, Denayer, Paape, etc.

well-documented scenery, foreshadowing what would come to be known as the “ligne claire” style.

On April 21st, 1938, Tintin’s most famous rival, Spirou, made his appearance. The character, created by Rob Vel, gave rise to Le Journal de Spirou, launched by Jean Dupuis. The first decade of the life of the publication can be considered as having been a preparatory period, exhibiting a sometimes hesitant graphic style.

56

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

57

Belgium is steadfastly perpetuating its comic strip tradition. Brussels houses three noteworthy museums: le Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée (Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art), located in a splendid art deco building, la Maison de la Bande Dessinée (House of the Comic Strip) and la Fondation Raymond Leblanc (Raymond Leblanc Foundation). This latter, a little gem located in the famous Tintin building near the Midi station, was inaugurated on September 26th, 2006, 60 years from the birth of the Tintin magazine. It focuses on Raymond Leblanc’s exceptional career and organises especially interesting temporary exhibitions, enjoying the advantage of invaluable archives and art loans.

Fondation Leblanc Avenue Paul-Henri Spaak, 7 B-1060 Bruxelles Tél: +32 (0)2/520.70.09 Fax: +32 (0)2/521.70.09 info@fondationrleblanc.be www.fondationrleblanc.be

Have it your way.

Night of the Proms If you are looking for a fun-guaranteed and musical night out in a unique concept, then Night of the Proms is definitely the place to be!

Night of the Proms is one of the most visited and most attractive musical events in Belgium and Europe. It takes the audience on a journey through rousing and familiar classical repertoire, timeless pop classics, sing-along tunes and get-up-anddance music, all of this backed by a mind-blowing visual and aural setting. The regular Night of the Proms orchestra Il Novecento conducted by Robert Groslot, the Fine Fleur choir and an Electric Band lead by John “Music” Miles play music from the last three centuries in such a joyful manner and with such verve, that everybody is carried away by their delightful performances. They also accompany international pop artists who enrapture the very lively audience with their greatest hits. Young and old uninhibitedly swing to the beat and at the end of the show thousands strike up Elgar’s “Land of Hope and Glory”.

Yes indeed, the idea of Night of the Proms was inspired by the British Last Night of the Proms.

Many years ago, two Flemish students gave it their own twist by adding contemporary music and popular artists to the programme. The new and very original concept of “Classic meets Pop” was born.

The first Night of the Proms concert was staged at the Antwerp Sportpaleis in October 1985 and welcomed 13.500 music lovers. The event turned out to be a huge commercial and critical success that grew in popularity, year on year. Word spread about the innovative mixing of classical music and pop evergreens, the audience got more and more

Have a look at our marvellous collection on www.nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

Huidevettersstraat 48 2000 Antwerpen tel. 03 232 76 34 antwerpen@nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

Noordzandstraat 15 8000 Brugge tel. 050 33 85 45 brugge@nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

Lippenslaan 188 8300 Knokke tel. 050 60 57 63 knokke@nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

L. Vanderkelenstraat 23 3000 Leuven tel. 016 23 07 20 leuven@nobody.eu

Nobody handbags and small leather goods • tel. +32 (0)9 380 13 87 • info@nobody.eu

Best of Belgium

59

diversified and from 1990 onwards the event also started to push back frontiers. Nowadays Night of the Proms plays several shows in autumn in Belgium (reaching 15.000 people per night in Antwerp), The Netherlands (Rotterdam) and several cities in Germany. Following a few months’ break, it picks up in spring to visit the French speaking part of Belgium (Charleroi), immediately followed by a tour in France and Spain.

What began as a student-like activity is now a permanent fixture for hundreds of thousands. Since 1985, more than 6 million visitors attended the shows and witnessed many unforgettable musical moments. The tremendous success of Night of the Proms made it possible to attract famous pop stars to be part of this fabulous musical spectacular.

Artists such as Joe Cocker, Simple Minds, Meat Loaf, Zucchero, Sting, Bryan Ferry, Andrea Bocelli, Al Jarreau, Roger Hodgson, Lisa Stansfield, Coolio, James Brown, Shaggy, Ike Turner, The Pointer Sisters, Roger Daltrey, Donna Summer, Safri Duo, Tears For Fears, Texas and many, many others have been accompanied by the Night of the Proms’ orchestra and choir and shared their love of music with people of all ages and of different musical persuasions.

Night of the Proms is a PSE Belgium production.

The name and the concept are protected by law. www.notp.com

Have it your way.

Night of the Proms If you are looking for a fun-guaranteed and musical night out in a unique concept, then Night of the Proms is definitely the place to be!

Night of the Proms is one of the most visited and most attractive musical events in Belgium and Europe. It takes the audience on a journey through rousing and familiar classical repertoire, timeless pop classics, sing-along tunes and get-up-anddance music, all of this backed by a mind-blowing visual and aural setting. The regular Night of the Proms orchestra Il Novecento conducted by Robert Groslot, the Fine Fleur choir and an Electric Band lead by John “Music” Miles play music from the last three centuries in such a joyful manner and with such verve, that everybody is carried away by their delightful performances. They also accompany international pop artists who enrapture the very lively audience with their greatest hits. Young and old uninhibitedly swing to the beat and at the end of the show thousands strike up Elgar’s “Land of Hope and Glory”.

Yes indeed, the idea of Night of the Proms was inspired by the British Last Night of the Proms.

Many years ago, two Flemish students gave it their own twist by adding contemporary music and popular artists to the programme. The new and very original concept of “Classic meets Pop” was born.

The first Night of the Proms concert was staged at the Antwerp Sportpaleis in October 1985 and welcomed 13.500 music lovers. The event turned out to be a huge commercial and critical success that grew in popularity, year on year. Word spread about the innovative mixing of classical music and pop evergreens, the audience got more and more

Have a look at our marvellous collection on www.nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

Huidevettersstraat 48 2000 Antwerpen tel. 03 232 76 34 antwerpen@nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

Noordzandstraat 15 8000 Brugge tel. 050 33 85 45 brugge@nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

Lippenslaan 188 8300 Knokke tel. 050 60 57 63 knokke@nobody.eu

Nobody Shop

L. Vanderkelenstraat 23 3000 Leuven tel. 016 23 07 20 leuven@nobody.eu

Nobody handbags and small leather goods • tel. +32 (0)9 380 13 87 • info@nobody.eu

Best of Belgium

59

diversified and from 1990 onwards the event also started to push back frontiers. Nowadays Night of the Proms plays several shows in autumn in Belgium (reaching 15.000 people per night in Antwerp), The Netherlands (Rotterdam) and several cities in Germany. Following a few months’ break, it picks up in spring to visit the French speaking part of Belgium (Charleroi), immediately followed by a tour in France and Spain.

What began as a student-like activity is now a permanent fixture for hundreds of thousands. Since 1985, more than 6 million visitors attended the shows and witnessed many unforgettable musical moments. The tremendous success of Night of the Proms made it possible to attract famous pop stars to be part of this fabulous musical spectacular.

Artists such as Joe Cocker, Simple Minds, Meat Loaf, Zucchero, Sting, Bryan Ferry, Andrea Bocelli, Al Jarreau, Roger Hodgson, Lisa Stansfield, Coolio, James Brown, Shaggy, Ike Turner, The Pointer Sisters, Roger Daltrey, Donna Summer, Safri Duo, Tears For Fears, Texas and many, many others have been accompanied by the Night of the Proms’ orchestra and choir and shared their love of music with people of all ages and of different musical persuasions.

Night of the Proms is a PSE Belgium production.

The name and the concept are protected by law. www.notp.com

Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.

Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Photography: Pat Verbruggen

Chapter 3 Fashion

Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.

Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Photography: Pat Verbruggen

Chapter 3 Fashion

Fashion

Modenatie

© Jacques Sonck

© Jacques Sonck

ModeNatie is situated right in the heart of Antwerp’s fashion district, and houses the Flanders Fashion Institute, the Fashion Museum | ModeMuseum (MoMu) and the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of the Hogeschool Antwerpen. © Jacques Sonck

initiative enables FFI to develop and fortify its position as intermediary between the industry and the creative sector. In the near future the site will be extended with other jobs and vacancies in the fashion cluster. www.ffi.be Modemuseum – Fashion Museum Of The Province Of Antwerp – Momu From September 2002 onwards the Fashion Museum maintains a varied and dynamic exhibition policy that encloses all different aspects of ‘fashion’. The MoMu collection consists of an historical part – a collection of clothing, lace, embroidery, fabrics and tools for artisanal textile processing – and a contemporary part – which focuses mainly on Belgian fashion designers, including Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, Dirk Bikkembergs, Véronique Branquinho, A.F. Vandevorst, Bernhard Willhelm, etc.

Two large exhibitions per year highlight a specific designer or a theme that can be linked to (Belgian) fashion. Furthermore the MoMu Gallery presents several small exhibition projects from different guest curators.

More info on the running expositions: www.momu.be

Flanders Fashion Institute The Flanders Fashion Institute, established in 1998, is partially subsidised by the Flemish Government. The main objectives of FFI are to stimulate the employment in the sector and to promote fashion from Flanders in Belgium and abroad. The FFI’s first project came in 1998 with VITRINE, a yearly ten-day event in September that showcases both fashion designers’ and fashion students’ work.

ModeNatie is a unique concept where creativity, dynamics and passion for fashion are spread by all inhabitants. The complex was officially opened in September 2002.

www.modenatie.com MODENATIE Nationalestraat 28 2000 Antwerpen

Another project is the ANTWERP FASHION WALK/MAP, a handy booklet produced in collaboration with the Tourism Office of the City of Antwerp. It contains 5 different fashion walks, in which shops, buildings and other hotspots are highlighted, and includes biographies of Belgian designers and an extensive list of shopping addresses.

The FFI has recently set up an online jobsite JOBSJOBSJOBS. This site matches offer and demand. Fashion graduates can post their resume in order to find a job in the fashion industry. This

62

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

63

Fashion Department – Hogeschool Antwerpen The fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of the Hogeschool Antwerpen is considered to be one of the world’s leading establishments in fashion education.

After Paris and Rome, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts is the oldest art school in the world. It was founded in 1663 by the painter David Teniers the Younger. As a master of St Luke’s Guild, whose members were painters, sculptors, engravers and book printers; he wrote an appeal to the Spanish king Philip IV. Herein he explained that he wished to establish an open and public academy in order to ‘foster and maintain the esteem of fine art’ with the intention of ‘expanding the arts in your majesty’s realm’.

In the 1960’s several departments of applied art were added to the Royal Academy, including graphic design, photography, jewellery design, ceramic art and fashion, the latter led

by Mary Prijot. In the early eighties the now legendary Antwerp Six graduated here: Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee. Ever since, the fashion department has become one of

the most prestigious breeding grounds for fashion designers.

The annual fashion show is a celebration of fashion, bringing together some 6,000 spectators from all over the world, not only to judge and/or admire the collections of the students, but also for the unique atmosphere of their grand defile. Once a year, the building is filled with friends, fashion enthusiasts, manufacturers, former students, fashion designers, styling agencies, culture buffs and the press. Their interest and appreciation are the reward for the continuous efforts of both students and teachers, year after year. The show is repeated three evenings in a row.

Students from all four years show their work on the catwalk. The jury, national and international fashion and art people, judges their collections and installations.

The spectacle pays its own way: the entire show is financed by the sale of tickets and catalogues. www.antwerp-fashion.be

© Pat Verbruggen

Fashion

Modenatie

© Jacques Sonck

© Jacques Sonck

ModeNatie is situated right in the heart of Antwerp’s fashion district, and houses the Flanders Fashion Institute, the Fashion Museum | ModeMuseum (MoMu) and the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of the Hogeschool Antwerpen. © Jacques Sonck

initiative enables FFI to develop and fortify its position as intermediary between the industry and the creative sector. In the near future the site will be extended with other jobs and vacancies in the fashion cluster. www.ffi.be Modemuseum – Fashion Museum Of The Province Of Antwerp – Momu From September 2002 onwards the Fashion Museum maintains a varied and dynamic exhibition policy that encloses all different aspects of ‘fashion’. The MoMu collection consists of an historical part – a collection of clothing, lace, embroidery, fabrics and tools for artisanal textile processing – and a contemporary part – which focuses mainly on Belgian fashion designers, including Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, Dirk Bikkembergs, Véronique Branquinho, A.F. Vandevorst, Bernhard Willhelm, etc.

Two large exhibitions per year highlight a specific designer or a theme that can be linked to (Belgian) fashion. Furthermore the MoMu Gallery presents several small exhibition projects from different guest curators.

More info on the running expositions: www.momu.be

Flanders Fashion Institute The Flanders Fashion Institute, established in 1998, is partially subsidised by the Flemish Government. The main objectives of FFI are to stimulate the employment in the sector and to promote fashion from Flanders in Belgium and abroad. The FFI’s first project came in 1998 with VITRINE, a yearly ten-day event in September that showcases both fashion designers’ and fashion students’ work.

ModeNatie is a unique concept where creativity, dynamics and passion for fashion are spread by all inhabitants. The complex was officially opened in September 2002.

www.modenatie.com MODENATIE Nationalestraat 28 2000 Antwerpen

Another project is the ANTWERP FASHION WALK/MAP, a handy booklet produced in collaboration with the Tourism Office of the City of Antwerp. It contains 5 different fashion walks, in which shops, buildings and other hotspots are highlighted, and includes biographies of Belgian designers and an extensive list of shopping addresses.

The FFI has recently set up an online jobsite JOBSJOBSJOBS. This site matches offer and demand. Fashion graduates can post their resume in order to find a job in the fashion industry. This

62

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

63

Fashion Department – Hogeschool Antwerpen The fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of the Hogeschool Antwerpen is considered to be one of the world’s leading establishments in fashion education.

After Paris and Rome, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts is the oldest art school in the world. It was founded in 1663 by the painter David Teniers the Younger. As a master of St Luke’s Guild, whose members were painters, sculptors, engravers and book printers; he wrote an appeal to the Spanish king Philip IV. Herein he explained that he wished to establish an open and public academy in order to ‘foster and maintain the esteem of fine art’ with the intention of ‘expanding the arts in your majesty’s realm’.

In the 1960’s several departments of applied art were added to the Royal Academy, including graphic design, photography, jewellery design, ceramic art and fashion, the latter led

by Mary Prijot. In the early eighties the now legendary Antwerp Six graduated here: Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee. Ever since, the fashion department has become one of

the most prestigious breeding grounds for fashion designers.

The annual fashion show is a celebration of fashion, bringing together some 6,000 spectators from all over the world, not only to judge and/or admire the collections of the students, but also for the unique atmosphere of their grand defile. Once a year, the building is filled with friends, fashion enthusiasts, manufacturers, former students, fashion designers, styling agencies, culture buffs and the press. Their interest and appreciation are the reward for the continuous efforts of both students and teachers, year after year. The show is repeated three evenings in a row.

Students from all four years show their work on the catwalk. The jury, national and international fashion and art people, judges their collections and installations.

The spectacle pays its own way: the entire show is financed by the sale of tickets and catalogues. www.antwerp-fashion.be

© Pat Verbruggen

Fashion

Belgian Designers Take a look at four designers of world repute, that illustrate both the breadth and depth of design talent in this country.

Ann Huybens

Christophe Coppens Christophe Coppens is a multifaceted designer and artist. In the early 90s – when he was just 21 years old – he created his first experimental hat collection. This was an immediate success internationally. Through the years Christophe Coppen’s activities have extended to accessories collections for women and for men.

In 2006 in Paris, he presented his first haute couture collection that is recognized for its fine balanced between art and fashion.

At his Brussels salon, Christophe Coppens receives his clients for unique festivity creations that are fully tailor

made. Christophe Coppens seeks his inspiration in art, literature, day-to-day impressions and dreams. This coming together of influences leads to a range that is highly varied but that is based on solid craftsmanship and a subtle, humoristic undertone as the red thread running through it all.

The creations of Christophe Coppens are sold all over the world in prestigious boutiques. He also two own boutiques, one in Brussels and one in Japan.

www.christophecoppens.com

Sofie D’hoore Fashion is a continuous flow of undressing and dressing. I undress and dress many women. If they are happy I am happy. They go out into the street and move through life beautifully. Let them wear the clothes until they are threadbare. They come back and we

start all over again. Recently I started to undress and dress men, which is new for me. Men move the same, everything revolves around the body. Fashion is all about the surface.

Ann Huybens started as self-made designer in the early nineties. Her experience as a dancer at Les Ballets C de la B was definitive in forming her vision on fashion. Her dansante creations move naturally along with the body. The three-dimensional designs are one with the body.

Like her creations, Ann Huybens’ way of working is unique. For several years now she has left the hectic fashion rhythm behind her. Each creation is a follow up story to the previous. She designs at her own tempo a collection from which the client can choose a creation that is tailor made, translated in a material and colour of choice. In this way an interesting dialogue emerges between designer and client, which in turn serves to inspire further.

On request of her international clientele Ann Huybens also works in Paris at her “Cabinet de Désirs” – her salon – where she listens to her clients’

wishes and takes their measurements.

These unique designs with their unmistakable couture spirit appeal to an art-orientated clientele from across the world. The creations themselves Ann designs at her home base, surrounded by nature. Ann Huybens only works with natural materials such as beautiful silks and supple leather.

Her silk materials are printed with unique motifs. The “Tranche de vie” pebble motif has become legendary thanks to the showroom bus “Jeanne” that for years rode through Paris during the fashion week. The subtle colour nuances and original prints make Ann Huybens’ creations recognizable among thousands.

Her creations have frequently appeared in the international media and were also included in “Showtime”, an exhibition at Musée Galliera in Paris. text: Lut Clincke

www.annhuybens.com

www.sofiedhoore.com © Chris van der Burght

Erik Verdonck Erik Verdonck, graduated in 1993 at the fashion department of the royal academy of fine arts in Antwerp, can be easily called an exception.

Erik avoids the image of a regular designer by putting his freedom as creative person in the first place and commercial motivations in the second.

He shows his reactions against mass production and what he calls the increasing loss of identity in the form of an annual event or presentation, the so called ‘buy-buy fashion’ statements.

His collection, consisting exclusive of handmade pieces for men and women, are mostly inspired by textile techniques, ethnical themes or fabrics and can be bought on occasional sales.

64

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

65

His whole career Erik questioned the fashion system in which he worked.

After his successfully graduation he worked as a free-lance designer for several commercial brands and quickly got tired of designing next seasons sales.

As a first reaction he opened his own French fries shop in Antwerp.

Since 2002 he designs exclusive pieces who can easily be recognized by the label inside mentioning ‘size: who cares’.

Of course in this concept seasons or sizes are irrelevant! www.erikverdonck.com

Fashion

Belgian Designers Take a look at four designers of world repute, that illustrate both the breadth and depth of design talent in this country.

Ann Huybens

Christophe Coppens Christophe Coppens is a multifaceted designer and artist. In the early 90s – when he was just 21 years old – he created his first experimental hat collection. This was an immediate success internationally. Through the years Christophe Coppen’s activities have extended to accessories collections for women and for men.

In 2006 in Paris, he presented his first haute couture collection that is recognized for its fine balanced between art and fashion.

At his Brussels salon, Christophe Coppens receives his clients for unique festivity creations that are fully tailor

made. Christophe Coppens seeks his inspiration in art, literature, day-to-day impressions and dreams. This coming together of influences leads to a range that is highly varied but that is based on solid craftsmanship and a subtle, humoristic undertone as the red thread running through it all.

The creations of Christophe Coppens are sold all over the world in prestigious boutiques. He also two own boutiques, one in Brussels and one in Japan.

www.christophecoppens.com

Sofie D’hoore Fashion is a continuous flow of undressing and dressing. I undress and dress many women. If they are happy I am happy. They go out into the street and move through life beautifully. Let them wear the clothes until they are threadbare. They come back and we

start all over again. Recently I started to undress and dress men, which is new for me. Men move the same, everything revolves around the body. Fashion is all about the surface.

Ann Huybens started as self-made designer in the early nineties. Her experience as a dancer at Les Ballets C de la B was definitive in forming her vision on fashion. Her dansante creations move naturally along with the body. The three-dimensional designs are one with the body.

Like her creations, Ann Huybens’ way of working is unique. For several years now she has left the hectic fashion rhythm behind her. Each creation is a follow up story to the previous. She designs at her own tempo a collection from which the client can choose a creation that is tailor made, translated in a material and colour of choice. In this way an interesting dialogue emerges between designer and client, which in turn serves to inspire further.

On request of her international clientele Ann Huybens also works in Paris at her “Cabinet de Désirs” – her salon – where she listens to her clients’

wishes and takes their measurements.

These unique designs with their unmistakable couture spirit appeal to an art-orientated clientele from across the world. The creations themselves Ann designs at her home base, surrounded by nature. Ann Huybens only works with natural materials such as beautiful silks and supple leather.

Her silk materials are printed with unique motifs. The “Tranche de vie” pebble motif has become legendary thanks to the showroom bus “Jeanne” that for years rode through Paris during the fashion week. The subtle colour nuances and original prints make Ann Huybens’ creations recognizable among thousands.

Her creations have frequently appeared in the international media and were also included in “Showtime”, an exhibition at Musée Galliera in Paris. text: Lut Clincke

www.annhuybens.com

www.sofiedhoore.com © Chris van der Burght

Erik Verdonck Erik Verdonck, graduated in 1993 at the fashion department of the royal academy of fine arts in Antwerp, can be easily called an exception.

Erik avoids the image of a regular designer by putting his freedom as creative person in the first place and commercial motivations in the second.

He shows his reactions against mass production and what he calls the increasing loss of identity in the form of an annual event or presentation, the so called ‘buy-buy fashion’ statements.

His collection, consisting exclusive of handmade pieces for men and women, are mostly inspired by textile techniques, ethnical themes or fabrics and can be bought on occasional sales.

64

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

65

His whole career Erik questioned the fashion system in which he worked.

After his successfully graduation he worked as a free-lance designer for several commercial brands and quickly got tired of designing next seasons sales.

As a first reaction he opened his own French fries shop in Antwerp.

Since 2002 he designs exclusive pieces who can easily be recognized by the label inside mentioning ‘size: who cares’.

Of course in this concept seasons or sizes are irrelevant! www.erikverdonck.com

Fashion

NOBODY In Belgium, the Nobody handbag brand is a household name in the world of luxury leather goods. Fashion-conscious Belgian women like the brand because it stands for high quality, for an impeccable finish and not least, they love the discreet aura of elegance exuded by every handbag.

Bernadette Depuydt Managing Director

Nick Hoflack Junior Manager

Nobody handbags and small leather goods can be found in more than 80 shopping outlets in Belgium. However, for those who want to really lose themselves in the world of Nobody, a visit to one of the 4 exclusive flagship stores in Antwerp, Bruges, Leuven or Knokke is just what they need. The ideal excuse to combine a relaxing city trip with fashion-conscious shopping! And whoever can’t make it to a Nobody shop, can always go e-shopping on www.nobody.eu where they’ve have all the time in the world to choose their bag.

“You can go anywhere with a Nobody,” says Mrs. Bernadette Depuydt who looks after the business side of Nobody Design together with her son, Nick Hoflack. “A Nobody is a style statement whether on the street, at parties or at the office. Our collection is wholly tailored to elegant variety. An awful lot of water has gone under the Nobody bridge since the brand first saw the light of day in 1981. We’ve always gone for a mix of tradition and on-going innovation. Originally, our name was primarily associated with grain leather and stylized, practical models and you can still find this authentic look in our sub-collection, Eternity. In addition, Nobody now has five other lines which together make up a collection in which every woman with a feeling for fashion finds something that suits her personal style. Those who know us at all will tell you that we only accept perfection, nothing less. Every handbag is made from a careful selection of parts and materials. The control and the tooling of the leather are done to the highest quality norms. Some bags have to undergo some 160 different processes which quickly add up to 5 or 6 hours per bag. This is truly haute couture work from the masterful hands of craftsmen!” says Mrs. Depuydt enthusiastically.

Nick Hoflack reiterates this enthusiasm.

“One cannot help but notice the on-going rejuvenation that has been very apparent in recent seasons. Just look at the many new materials and new styles. This has resulted in a collection including as much as 39 colours, 130 models and 10 different materials such as full-grained cowhide, soft calfskin, silky-soft lambskin, authentic Italian Jacquard, suede, trendy metallic …

This huge choice answers the ever clearer trend towards individualization. Today’s woman wants her own, personal handbag, designed with her in mind, and Nobody does just that,” says Nick Hoflack. “The personalised acces-sories and the practical features like the mobile phone pocket, the key ring or the handy inner pocket with zipper are typical details that epitomize the passion for quality.”

66

Best of Belgium

Besides its passion for fashion, Nobody also has a soft spot for those less fortunate in our society. Even in a prosperous country such as Belgium there are still many needs to be catered for.

“Nobody is certainly not one to shy away from its responsibilities; that’s why we set up the Nobody Kinderfonds (Children’s Fund) in 2006”, explains Nick Hoflack. “Our aim is simple and sincere: being a Belgian company, we want to support Belgian projects that are geared to the well-being of children in Belgium. This is no passing whim; on the contrary, we view this commitment as a long-term mission. We believe that the fate of the sick, neglected or missing children deserves our undivided and on-going attention. Let me put it this way – for every Nobody handbag that we sell in one of the Nobody Shops, 1 euro goes to the Nobody Children’s Fund.”

Information: Nobody Design nv Nieuwe Steenweg 20a 9810 Nazareth – Belgium.

Tel.: 00 32 (0)9/380 13 87 Fax: 00 32 (0)9/380 13 94 E-mail: info@nobody.eu www.nobody.eu

Best of Belgium

67

Fashion

NOBODY In Belgium, the Nobody handbag brand is a household name in the world of luxury leather goods. Fashion-conscious Belgian women like the brand because it stands for high quality, for an impeccable finish and not least, they love the discreet aura of elegance exuded by every handbag.

Bernadette Depuydt Managing Director

Nick Hoflack Junior Manager

Nobody handbags and small leather goods can be found in more than 80 shopping outlets in Belgium. However, for those who want to really lose themselves in the world of Nobody, a visit to one of the 4 exclusive flagship stores in Antwerp, Bruges, Leuven or Knokke is just what they need. The ideal excuse to combine a relaxing city trip with fashion-conscious shopping! And whoever can’t make it to a Nobody shop, can always go e-shopping on www.nobody.eu where they’ve have all the time in the world to choose their bag.

“You can go anywhere with a Nobody,” says Mrs. Bernadette Depuydt who looks after the business side of Nobody Design together with her son, Nick Hoflack. “A Nobody is a style statement whether on the street, at parties or at the office. Our collection is wholly tailored to elegant variety. An awful lot of water has gone under the Nobody bridge since the brand first saw the light of day in 1981. We’ve always gone for a mix of tradition and on-going innovation. Originally, our name was primarily associated with grain leather and stylized, practical models and you can still find this authentic look in our sub-collection, Eternity. In addition, Nobody now has five other lines which together make up a collection in which every woman with a feeling for fashion finds something that suits her personal style. Those who know us at all will tell you that we only accept perfection, nothing less. Every handbag is made from a careful selection of parts and materials. The control and the tooling of the leather are done to the highest quality norms. Some bags have to undergo some 160 different processes which quickly add up to 5 or 6 hours per bag. This is truly haute couture work from the masterful hands of craftsmen!” says Mrs. Depuydt enthusiastically.

Nick Hoflack reiterates this enthusiasm.

“One cannot help but notice the on-going rejuvenation that has been very apparent in recent seasons. Just look at the many new materials and new styles. This has resulted in a collection including as much as 39 colours, 130 models and 10 different materials such as full-grained cowhide, soft calfskin, silky-soft lambskin, authentic Italian Jacquard, suede, trendy metallic …

This huge choice answers the ever clearer trend towards individualization. Today’s woman wants her own, personal handbag, designed with her in mind, and Nobody does just that,” says Nick Hoflack. “The personalised acces-sories and the practical features like the mobile phone pocket, the key ring or the handy inner pocket with zipper are typical details that epitomize the passion for quality.”

66

Best of Belgium

Besides its passion for fashion, Nobody also has a soft spot for those less fortunate in our society. Even in a prosperous country such as Belgium there are still many needs to be catered for.

“Nobody is certainly not one to shy away from its responsibilities; that’s why we set up the Nobody Kinderfonds (Children’s Fund) in 2006”, explains Nick Hoflack. “Our aim is simple and sincere: being a Belgian company, we want to support Belgian projects that are geared to the well-being of children in Belgium. This is no passing whim; on the contrary, we view this commitment as a long-term mission. We believe that the fate of the sick, neglected or missing children deserves our undivided and on-going attention. Let me put it this way – for every Nobody handbag that we sell in one of the Nobody Shops, 1 euro goes to the Nobody Children’s Fund.”

Information: Nobody Design nv Nieuwe Steenweg 20a 9810 Nazareth – Belgium.

Tel.: 00 32 (0)9/380 13 87 Fax: 00 32 (0)9/380 13 94 E-mail: info@nobody.eu www.nobody.eu

Best of Belgium

67

ANDRES Its Xandres and Hampton Bays pilot stores are the architectural stars of the high street, its designers are the top grads of Antwerp’s famous fashion academy and its brand extensions such as X-Line are taking the market by storm.

Simply put, Andres is on a roll and primed to take on new markets abroad.

Hampton Bays designed by top architects such as Vincent Van Duysen opened in major Belgian and Dutch cities. Locations such as the Xandres flagship store in Belgium’s fashion capital Antwerp offer space and a refined sense of style. More stores are opening to build on the success of Xandres X-Line, the large size range.

Andres also benefits from the explosion in Belgian design creativity, centered on the world renowned Antwerp Fashion Academy. The company actively recruits its designers and stylists from the school. Also, the company’s CEO, Isabelle Santens, is Vice-Chair of the Flanders Fashion Institute—the knowledge centre for fashion in Flanders that also promotes Flemish designers locally and worldwide.

Service is the third pillar of the Andres success story. The collections are rooted in a deep understanding of what professional women today are looking for in fashion. Dialogue with women is essential here. For example, Andres organizes regular ‘Colour, Style & Combine’ workshops at its flagship stores. Also toward its retail partners, Andres is known for its service ethic. The company maintains sizable quantities of stock to ensure it can respond rapidly to client orders. Communication lines are always open and marketing support is top notch.

Andres, the company behind fashion labels Xandres and Hampton Bays, expresses the best of Belgian fashion in more ways than one. The company leads the Belgian market in its category and its labels have become household names, representing style, authenticity and above all quality.

Respecting its roots in the Flemish clothing manufacturing industry, the company is singleminded about quality. Contrary to many of its European competitors, Andres continues to invest in technical know-how at its Belgian headquarters.

The company also is committed to the quality of European fabrics and strives to create product that is wearable beyond the season. This certainly isn’t throw away fashion.

info brochure: 02 522 05 19 www.atmosfashion.be

If quality is the bedrock of the company’s brands, its marketing and design flair are powering the brands to the top of the Belgian fashion scene.

During the late ‘90s, pilot stores for Xandres and

Best of Belgium

69

This type of investment is translating into commercial success. The company has become a dominant player in the Belgian market and continues to grow strongly on the back of the brand extensions Xandres X-Line and Xandres Golf. The Corporate Wear division is also noting significant success, having secured the contract to design the new Brussels Airlines uniforms.

Looking ahead, the company will continue to expand internationally. Having built a strong base in the Netherlands and France via partnerships with major multi-label retail houses and several pilot stores (in the Netherlands), the company is currently looking for new partnerships across Europe and further abroad.

Contact: www.xandres.be / www.hamptonbays.be Pilot Stores in Brussels and Antwerp Xandres Huidevetterstraat 21, Antwerp Waterloolaan 8, Brussels Hampton Bays Louizalaan 50a, Brussels Korte Gasthuisstraat 12, Antwerp

ANDRES Its Xandres and Hampton Bays pilot stores are the architectural stars of the high street, its designers are the top grads of Antwerp’s famous fashion academy and its brand extensions such as X-Line are taking the market by storm.

Simply put, Andres is on a roll and primed to take on new markets abroad.

Hampton Bays designed by top architects such as Vincent Van Duysen opened in major Belgian and Dutch cities. Locations such as the Xandres flagship store in Belgium’s fashion capital Antwerp offer space and a refined sense of style. More stores are opening to build on the success of Xandres X-Line, the large size range.

Andres also benefits from the explosion in Belgian design creativity, centered on the world renowned Antwerp Fashion Academy. The company actively recruits its designers and stylists from the school. Also, the company’s CEO, Isabelle Santens, is Vice-Chair of the Flanders Fashion Institute—the knowledge centre for fashion in Flanders that also promotes Flemish designers locally and worldwide.

Service is the third pillar of the Andres success story. The collections are rooted in a deep understanding of what professional women today are looking for in fashion. Dialogue with women is essential here. For example, Andres organizes regular ‘Colour, Style & Combine’ workshops at its flagship stores. Also toward its retail partners, Andres is known for its service ethic. The company maintains sizable quantities of stock to ensure it can respond rapidly to client orders. Communication lines are always open and marketing support is top notch.

Andres, the company behind fashion labels Xandres and Hampton Bays, expresses the best of Belgian fashion in more ways than one. The company leads the Belgian market in its category and its labels have become household names, representing style, authenticity and above all quality.

Respecting its roots in the Flemish clothing manufacturing industry, the company is singleminded about quality. Contrary to many of its European competitors, Andres continues to invest in technical know-how at its Belgian headquarters.

The company also is committed to the quality of European fabrics and strives to create product that is wearable beyond the season. This certainly isn’t throw away fashion.

info brochure: 02 522 05 19 www.atmosfashion.be

If quality is the bedrock of the company’s brands, its marketing and design flair are powering the brands to the top of the Belgian fashion scene.

During the late ‘90s, pilot stores for Xandres and

Best of Belgium

69

This type of investment is translating into commercial success. The company has become a dominant player in the Belgian market and continues to grow strongly on the back of the brand extensions Xandres X-Line and Xandres Golf. The Corporate Wear division is also noting significant success, having secured the contract to design the new Brussels Airlines uniforms.

Looking ahead, the company will continue to expand internationally. Having built a strong base in the Netherlands and France via partnerships with major multi-label retail houses and several pilot stores (in the Netherlands), the company is currently looking for new partnerships across Europe and further abroad.

Contact: www.xandres.be / www.hamptonbays.be Pilot Stores in Brussels and Antwerp Xandres Huidevetterstraat 21, Antwerp Waterloolaan 8, Brussels Hampton Bays Louizalaan 50a, Brussels Korte Gasthuisstraat 12, Antwerp

Fashion

Delvaux There is hardly a soul in Belgium that does not know the name Delvaux. And although Delvaux is a deluxe brand already well established in Japan and Russia, you might not yet know its story...

Le Tempête Soir / SS 07

Some 178 years ago, a young leather worker decided to set up his own business, driven by a passion for fine leather.

in 1958, put time on hold through the clarity of its profile, so becoming an icon that is as valid today as when it was first created.

Leather has always had the main role in the story. Leather as a skin. Leather as a raw material. The art of working and re-working it until the work disappears, leaving its place to grace and emotion.

And who ultimately tells this story? The Delvaux woman, of course. She speaks with assurance, walks with a determined step with her stamp of elegance on her shoulder.

She knows, she communicates, she shows herself, she is confident. And she is right.

To tell the story, we need words – words that are over-used elsewhere but so fundamental to the way Delvaux works: craftsman, quality, standards, know-how.

The pure, refined power that gives a soul to an object, a bag or an accessory. The generosity that can be felt in every fibre of the material.

The story has its landmarks: since 1883, Delvaux has been a supplier to Belgium’s Royal Court. In 1908, Delvaux was the first brand to trademark a model of a bag. The first also to introduce seasonal ranges in leather goods. And the Brillant bag, created Le Coquin Poches GM / FW 07-08

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Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

71

Today, in the laboratory/studio of Europe’s oldest leather goods house, the story is still unfolding. Young Belgian designers with their vision, energy and audacity are writing new chapters. They are working on the equations of tomorrow that allow Delvaux to continue pursuing the thin line between tradition and modernity.

Delvaux L’Arsenal Boulevard Louis Schmidt, 7 1040 Brussels 0032 2/ 738 00 40 www.delvaux.com Le Brillant MM / FW 07-08

Fashion

Delvaux There is hardly a soul in Belgium that does not know the name Delvaux. And although Delvaux is a deluxe brand already well established in Japan and Russia, you might not yet know its story...

Le Tempête Soir / SS 07

Some 178 years ago, a young leather worker decided to set up his own business, driven by a passion for fine leather.

in 1958, put time on hold through the clarity of its profile, so becoming an icon that is as valid today as when it was first created.

Leather has always had the main role in the story. Leather as a skin. Leather as a raw material. The art of working and re-working it until the work disappears, leaving its place to grace and emotion.

And who ultimately tells this story? The Delvaux woman, of course. She speaks with assurance, walks with a determined step with her stamp of elegance on her shoulder.

She knows, she communicates, she shows herself, she is confident. And she is right.

To tell the story, we need words – words that are over-used elsewhere but so fundamental to the way Delvaux works: craftsman, quality, standards, know-how.

The pure, refined power that gives a soul to an object, a bag or an accessory. The generosity that can be felt in every fibre of the material.

The story has its landmarks: since 1883, Delvaux has been a supplier to Belgium’s Royal Court. In 1908, Delvaux was the first brand to trademark a model of a bag. The first also to introduce seasonal ranges in leather goods. And the Brillant bag, created Le Coquin Poches GM / FW 07-08

70

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

71

Today, in the laboratory/studio of Europe’s oldest leather goods house, the story is still unfolding. Young Belgian designers with their vision, energy and audacity are writing new chapters. They are working on the equations of tomorrow that allow Delvaux to continue pursuing the thin line between tradition and modernity.

Delvaux L’Arsenal Boulevard Louis Schmidt, 7 1040 Brussels 0032 2/ 738 00 40 www.delvaux.com Le Brillant MM / FW 07-08

Fashion Roeselarestraat 55 - 8840 Oostnieuwkerke - Belgium - tel +32-(0)51-23.29.39 - fax +32-(0)51-20.74.39 - info@oni-onik.be - www.oni-onik.be

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73

Fashion Roeselarestraat 55 - 8840 Oostnieuwkerke - Belgium - tel +32-(0)51-23.29.39 - fax +32-(0)51-20.74.39 - info@oni-onik.be - www.oni-onik.be

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Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

73

Fashion

Giovane: Belgian Fashion, Seen Through A Looking Glass

the ultimate department store...

GALERIA

House of Brands

Giovane is the more trendy collection of San Martino, a clothes manufacturer based in Gavere (East Flanders) whose tradition goes back half a century. Its name (“Giovane” is Italian for “young”) suits the collection perfectly well. It is indeed a creative collection aimed at young, fashion-minded women who do not settle for the obvious.

The beautiful fabrics, most of them manufactured in Italy, and the perfect finishing characterise the collection. Many pieces are made in the small Italian workshops who also work for some of the world’s biggest names in fashion design.

Martin Vanmassenhove invariably manages to strike the right balance between rich details and wearable fashion for all occasions, a balance so typical of Belgian fashion.

Giovane’s design, however, is undoubtedly Belgian. Designer Martin Vanmassenhove is a born aesthete who is fond of noble fabrics and sophisticated finishings. Each season sees new experiments with washings, printing techniques and applications which make this collection so unique.

Tel +32 9 389 64 62 Fax +32 9 384 44 79 info@sanmartino.be www.SanMartino.be www.Giovani.be

San Martino BVBA Aalbroekstraat 27 9890 Gavere

74

Best of Belgium

Fashion

Giovane: Belgian Fashion, Seen Through A Looking Glass

the ultimate department store...

GALERIA

House of Brands

Giovane is the more trendy collection of San Martino, a clothes manufacturer based in Gavere (East Flanders) whose tradition goes back half a century. Its name (“Giovane” is Italian for “young”) suits the collection perfectly well. It is indeed a creative collection aimed at young, fashion-minded women who do not settle for the obvious.

The beautiful fabrics, most of them manufactured in Italy, and the perfect finishing characterise the collection. Many pieces are made in the small Italian workshops who also work for some of the world’s biggest names in fashion design.

Martin Vanmassenhove invariably manages to strike the right balance between rich details and wearable fashion for all occasions, a balance so typical of Belgian fashion.

Giovane’s design, however, is undoubtedly Belgian. Designer Martin Vanmassenhove is a born aesthete who is fond of noble fabrics and sophisticated finishings. Each season sees new experiments with washings, printing techniques and applications which make this collection so unique.

Tel +32 9 389 64 62 Fax +32 9 384 44 79 info@sanmartino.be www.SanMartino.be www.Giovani.be

San Martino BVBA Aalbroekstraat 27 9890 Gavere

74

Best of Belgium

Fashion

Galeria Inno always tends to high class

Endowed with a glorious past whose origins go back to the 19th Century, the inheritor of unmatchable experience at all levels of mass marketing, strong in a tradition marked by creativity and anticipation of the consumer’s desires, Galeria Inno is continually doing everything possible to make the customer feel at home when walking down the wide aisles that separate the beautiful sales stands that show off a multitude of prestigious brands.

The concern to ensure the well being of the customer is the main theme of the whole Galeria Inno concept. Crossing the threshold of one of its shops should represent the promise of an enjoyable shopping experience and the certainty of finding all one could wish for in fashionable clothing and accessories, perfumes, beauty products and home decoration, all under one roof.

GALERIA

In contrast to the economic logic that apparently sees the consumer as a pale shadow made up of numeric data, the department store with the green logo stands out with its offer of a formula unique in Belgium, wholly devoted to the pleasure and satisfaction of the customer. The exquisite and elegant

their favourite shop as a pleasant leisure pastime. This clientèle find themselves face to face with an extraordinary range of choice within the same establishment, consisting of a unique range of name brands. Names that find a superb sales environment within Galeria Inno. They number more than six hundred, all signifiers of quality and prestige, from Kenzo to Ralph Lauren, from Boss to Cacharel, from Givenchy and DKNY to Esprit, ….brands whose presence in the Galeria Inno shops confirm them as emblematic stores.

surroundings, the opulent comfort, the atmosphere both warm and embracing, the carefully designed layout, the accessibility of the goods, the personalisation of the aisles and counters, the approachability of the staff: every Galeria Inno shop is a temple erected in honour of the many treasures to be found within and the people who come to discover them.

This win-win situation, for the customer and for the brand, is brought to bear in fifteen shops, which shine out like so many stars in the commercial heart of towns such as Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, Ghent, Charleroi, Bruges, ....

Shopping in a prestigious setting The locations where the shops are situated are reminiscent of the game of Monopoly. In each case they are to be found in the most prestigious shopping street. But it is the remarkable, indeed exceptional architectural character of the sites that house the majority of Galeria Inno shops, which in turn

Two crowns, fifteen stars Galeria Inno is the only department store in the country centred on Women’s, Men’s and Children’s clothing, lingerie, perfumes and cosmetics, jewellery and watches, household linen and tableware.

Two crowns sit atop the concept: that of the clientèle and that of the brands. The clientèle, often unquestioning, see going to

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Best of Belgium

77

lends the shopping experience an exclusive aspect. For example, of the four establishments in Brussels, a visit to the one in the rue Neuve is certainly worth the trip: the 22.000 m² in the very heart of the city, which were entirely renovated in 2004, constitute without a doubt one of the most beautiful architectural achievements in the realm of department stores in Europe.

Galeria Inno, whose turnover comes close to 400 million euros and who can boast more than 6.000.0000 customers, is an integral part of the social history of Belgium and has its place in the collective unconscious of the population.

Galeria Inno is inspired by its timeless resources to shape its future, to create a new image of the department store and to maintain the growth of a business with a human face.

INNO N.V Nieuwstraat 111 B-1000 Brussel Tel.: +32 2 211.21.11 Fax: +32 2 219.14.11 info@inno.be www.inno.be

Fashion

Galeria Inno always tends to high class

Endowed with a glorious past whose origins go back to the 19th Century, the inheritor of unmatchable experience at all levels of mass marketing, strong in a tradition marked by creativity and anticipation of the consumer’s desires, Galeria Inno is continually doing everything possible to make the customer feel at home when walking down the wide aisles that separate the beautiful sales stands that show off a multitude of prestigious brands.

The concern to ensure the well being of the customer is the main theme of the whole Galeria Inno concept. Crossing the threshold of one of its shops should represent the promise of an enjoyable shopping experience and the certainty of finding all one could wish for in fashionable clothing and accessories, perfumes, beauty products and home decoration, all under one roof.

GALERIA

In contrast to the economic logic that apparently sees the consumer as a pale shadow made up of numeric data, the department store with the green logo stands out with its offer of a formula unique in Belgium, wholly devoted to the pleasure and satisfaction of the customer. The exquisite and elegant

their favourite shop as a pleasant leisure pastime. This clientèle find themselves face to face with an extraordinary range of choice within the same establishment, consisting of a unique range of name brands. Names that find a superb sales environment within Galeria Inno. They number more than six hundred, all signifiers of quality and prestige, from Kenzo to Ralph Lauren, from Boss to Cacharel, from Givenchy and DKNY to Esprit, ….brands whose presence in the Galeria Inno shops confirm them as emblematic stores.

surroundings, the opulent comfort, the atmosphere both warm and embracing, the carefully designed layout, the accessibility of the goods, the personalisation of the aisles and counters, the approachability of the staff: every Galeria Inno shop is a temple erected in honour of the many treasures to be found within and the people who come to discover them.

This win-win situation, for the customer and for the brand, is brought to bear in fifteen shops, which shine out like so many stars in the commercial heart of towns such as Brussels, Antwerp, Liège, Ghent, Charleroi, Bruges, ....

Shopping in a prestigious setting The locations where the shops are situated are reminiscent of the game of Monopoly. In each case they are to be found in the most prestigious shopping street. But it is the remarkable, indeed exceptional architectural character of the sites that house the majority of Galeria Inno shops, which in turn

Two crowns, fifteen stars Galeria Inno is the only department store in the country centred on Women’s, Men’s and Children’s clothing, lingerie, perfumes and cosmetics, jewellery and watches, household linen and tableware.

Two crowns sit atop the concept: that of the clientèle and that of the brands. The clientèle, often unquestioning, see going to

76

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

77

lends the shopping experience an exclusive aspect. For example, of the four establishments in Brussels, a visit to the one in the rue Neuve is certainly worth the trip: the 22.000 m² in the very heart of the city, which were entirely renovated in 2004, constitute without a doubt one of the most beautiful architectural achievements in the realm of department stores in Europe.

Galeria Inno, whose turnover comes close to 400 million euros and who can boast more than 6.000.0000 customers, is an integral part of the social history of Belgium and has its place in the collective unconscious of the population.

Galeria Inno is inspired by its timeless resources to shape its future, to create a new image of the department store and to maintain the growth of a business with a human face.

INNO N.V Nieuwstraat 111 B-1000 Brussel Tel.: +32 2 211.21.11 Fax: +32 2 219.14.11 info@inno.be www.inno.be

We shall find peace.

We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.

Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904), 1897

Š Diamond museum / White

Chapter 4 Diamonds

We shall find peace.

We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.

Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904), 1897

Š Diamond museum / White

Chapter 4 Diamonds

Diamonds

Antwerp, the World’s Capital for Diamonds and Home to a Unique Museum: The Diamond Museum Province of Antwerp

© Diamond museum / White

© Diamond museum / White

By this time Antwerp (and Lisbon) became the most important world centre(s) for diamonds and Antwerp specifically already played a determining role in the development of diamond-working techniques. It is significant, for example, that Francois I did not call on the diamond cutters of Paris but placed his orders with the craftsmen of Antwerp.

© Diamond museum / White

Antwerp has long been associated with diamonds. In fact, the diamond district in the city centre, an area of barely one square kilometre, and the Antwerp surroundings known as “the Kempen villages”, have both played a leading role in respectively the cutting and polishing of diamonds and the diamond trade - and this for more than 500 years!

By 2006, more than half of the world’s consumption of rough, as well as polished and industrial diamonds, is traded in Antwerp, realising an annual turnover of 39 million US$. The diamond sector guarantees 12% of the Flemish export and is one of the most important ambassadors and economic mainstays of the country.

But how did Antwerp become the World Diamond Centre?

We shall probably never know when the first diamonds were discovered, but we do know that, from ancient times until the eighteenth century, diamonds came from India.

In the 14th and 15th century Venice became the most important world trade centre because of its link and flourishing trade relations with the East. The city even became the most important mercantile

republic in the western world. It enjoyed a monopoly of the diamond trade for diamonds on its way to the main cities of southern Germany up to its final destination in Bruges. Lying as it did at the far end of the trade route, Bruges gradually developed into a flourishing diamond-cutting centre and the city’s reputation in this field steadily increased within time. Although Bruges maintained its pre-eminent position up to the end of the fourteenth century, within fifty years it began to decline because of the silting of the Zwin. The diamond trade, along with Bruges’s many other economic activities, gradually shifted to the city of Antwerp since the second half of the 15th century.

Antwerp offered newer and better facilities for communications and exchange.

In the sixteenth century Antwerp was an expanding and flourishing city.

80

Best of Belgium

Antwerp was at that time the commercial heart of Europe: approximately 40% of the world trade passed through its port.

Naturally the diamond business occupied a favoured place. In fact diamond ‘manipulation’ (cutting/polishing) and diamond trade used to be a flourishing business in Antwerp until the 17th century. This because fewer diamonds from the Indian mines became available.

In 1727 diamonds were already imported from Brazil, but more than 160 of the 180 guild members (of the Guild for Diamond and Rubin Cutters) were unemployed. The liberation of the trade in jewellery and gems in 1754 made the situation even worse for the diamond ‘manipulators’ (cutters/polishers). The diamond merchants on the other hand were better off during the 17th and 18th century in Antwerp.

So, although the northern Netherlands (Amsterdam) acquired more grip on the diamond business, Antwerp’s decline did not occur overnight and despite internal struggles such as the conflict between the New Guild of Diamond Cutters and the rich merchants, the city’s prestige remained apparently intact up to the middle of the seventeenth century. The diamond trade itself continued to flourish.

For example, the French king Louis XVI ordered the re-polishing of his crown jewellery in Antwerp in 1787.

During the first half of the 18th century, the Englishman James Dormer (1708-1758) tried to establish a monopoly for the import of Brazilian diamonds but the Portuguese king gave Amsterdam the monopoly. This was one of the reasons for the decline of Antwerp as diamond trade centre at that time.

From the 19th century onwards, Antwerp could again profile itself as Diamond City and World Diamond Centre. In 1866 the first

Best of Belgium

81

diamonds were discovered in South Africa. This discovery, followed a few years later by the discovery of the Kimberley deposits and the fabulous Kimberley era as well as the rise of the now-famous De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. resulted in large-scale prospecting and mining activities, which brought Europe massive supplies of rough diamonds. This massive influx of rough stones following the discoveries in South Africa was instrumental in contributing to the city’s status of Antwerp as the world’s l eading diamond centre. Within a few months, this massive influx provided work for thousands of craftsmen, and the swift revival of diamond cutting in Antwerp was further stimulated by an ever-growing demand for gemstones.

The depression of the 1930s hit the diamond trade in Antwerp hard. The cutting shops were sometimes shut down completely for several weeks at a time. The situation remained difficult but things grew worse with the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1939 many Jewish businessmen fled the country and went to the United States, Portugal or England, where more than 500 diamond dealers from Antwerp continued to meet and to do business.

In an attempt to save as much of the existing diamond stocks as possible from the Germans, the 500 dealers in England transferred the diamonds there. In agreement with the British government, an organisation known as the Correspondence Office for the Diamond Industry was set up to register the diamonds and keep them for the duration of the war.

Thanks to this organisation large quantities of diamonds were returned to their owners after the city was liberated and the Antwerp diamond industry got off to a promising start when the war was ended. The Antwerp diamond business thanks its rise after World War II to the Jewish community in Antwerp. The city knew various Jewish families from the 16th century on, mostly with roots in Portugal. The Jewish community played an important role in the foundation of ‘Beurs voor Diamanthandel’ (1904) and the launch of the ‘Kempische’ diamond craftsmanship. Today the diamond business(es) is/are run by people from vary different nationalities, of which the Indian community is nowadays the strongest.

The coordinating body and official representative of the diamond sector, is the HRD: an official organisation, recognised internationally and acting as host, spokesperson and intermediary for the Belgian diamond community.

HRD is the Belgian diamond sector’s official liaison with governments, and actively promotes support for the diamond sector, home and abroad. (www.awdc.be)

Sources: www.diamondland.be & OKV-Publication: Het Diamantmuseum in Antwerpen (2002, n°3)

Diamonds

Antwerp, the World’s Capital for Diamonds and Home to a Unique Museum: The Diamond Museum Province of Antwerp

© Diamond museum / White

© Diamond museum / White

By this time Antwerp (and Lisbon) became the most important world centre(s) for diamonds and Antwerp specifically already played a determining role in the development of diamond-working techniques. It is significant, for example, that Francois I did not call on the diamond cutters of Paris but placed his orders with the craftsmen of Antwerp.

© Diamond museum / White

Antwerp has long been associated with diamonds. In fact, the diamond district in the city centre, an area of barely one square kilometre, and the Antwerp surroundings known as “the Kempen villages”, have both played a leading role in respectively the cutting and polishing of diamonds and the diamond trade - and this for more than 500 years!

By 2006, more than half of the world’s consumption of rough, as well as polished and industrial diamonds, is traded in Antwerp, realising an annual turnover of 39 million US$. The diamond sector guarantees 12% of the Flemish export and is one of the most important ambassadors and economic mainstays of the country.

But how did Antwerp become the World Diamond Centre?

We shall probably never know when the first diamonds were discovered, but we do know that, from ancient times until the eighteenth century, diamonds came from India.

In the 14th and 15th century Venice became the most important world trade centre because of its link and flourishing trade relations with the East. The city even became the most important mercantile

republic in the western world. It enjoyed a monopoly of the diamond trade for diamonds on its way to the main cities of southern Germany up to its final destination in Bruges. Lying as it did at the far end of the trade route, Bruges gradually developed into a flourishing diamond-cutting centre and the city’s reputation in this field steadily increased within time. Although Bruges maintained its pre-eminent position up to the end of the fourteenth century, within fifty years it began to decline because of the silting of the Zwin. The diamond trade, along with Bruges’s many other economic activities, gradually shifted to the city of Antwerp since the second half of the 15th century.

Antwerp offered newer and better facilities for communications and exchange.

In the sixteenth century Antwerp was an expanding and flourishing city.

80

Best of Belgium

Antwerp was at that time the commercial heart of Europe: approximately 40% of the world trade passed through its port.

Naturally the diamond business occupied a favoured place. In fact diamond ‘manipulation’ (cutting/polishing) and diamond trade used to be a flourishing business in Antwerp until the 17th century. This because fewer diamonds from the Indian mines became available.

In 1727 diamonds were already imported from Brazil, but more than 160 of the 180 guild members (of the Guild for Diamond and Rubin Cutters) were unemployed. The liberation of the trade in jewellery and gems in 1754 made the situation even worse for the diamond ‘manipulators’ (cutters/polishers). The diamond merchants on the other hand were better off during the 17th and 18th century in Antwerp.

So, although the northern Netherlands (Amsterdam) acquired more grip on the diamond business, Antwerp’s decline did not occur overnight and despite internal struggles such as the conflict between the New Guild of Diamond Cutters and the rich merchants, the city’s prestige remained apparently intact up to the middle of the seventeenth century. The diamond trade itself continued to flourish.

For example, the French king Louis XVI ordered the re-polishing of his crown jewellery in Antwerp in 1787.

During the first half of the 18th century, the Englishman James Dormer (1708-1758) tried to establish a monopoly for the import of Brazilian diamonds but the Portuguese king gave Amsterdam the monopoly. This was one of the reasons for the decline of Antwerp as diamond trade centre at that time.

From the 19th century onwards, Antwerp could again profile itself as Diamond City and World Diamond Centre. In 1866 the first

Best of Belgium

81

diamonds were discovered in South Africa. This discovery, followed a few years later by the discovery of the Kimberley deposits and the fabulous Kimberley era as well as the rise of the now-famous De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. resulted in large-scale prospecting and mining activities, which brought Europe massive supplies of rough diamonds. This massive influx of rough stones following the discoveries in South Africa was instrumental in contributing to the city’s status of Antwerp as the world’s l eading diamond centre. Within a few months, this massive influx provided work for thousands of craftsmen, and the swift revival of diamond cutting in Antwerp was further stimulated by an ever-growing demand for gemstones.

The depression of the 1930s hit the diamond trade in Antwerp hard. The cutting shops were sometimes shut down completely for several weeks at a time. The situation remained difficult but things grew worse with the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1939 many Jewish businessmen fled the country and went to the United States, Portugal or England, where more than 500 diamond dealers from Antwerp continued to meet and to do business.

In an attempt to save as much of the existing diamond stocks as possible from the Germans, the 500 dealers in England transferred the diamonds there. In agreement with the British government, an organisation known as the Correspondence Office for the Diamond Industry was set up to register the diamonds and keep them for the duration of the war.

Thanks to this organisation large quantities of diamonds were returned to their owners after the city was liberated and the Antwerp diamond industry got off to a promising start when the war was ended. The Antwerp diamond business thanks its rise after World War II to the Jewish community in Antwerp. The city knew various Jewish families from the 16th century on, mostly with roots in Portugal. The Jewish community played an important role in the foundation of ‘Beurs voor Diamanthandel’ (1904) and the launch of the ‘Kempische’ diamond craftsmanship. Today the diamond business(es) is/are run by people from vary different nationalities, of which the Indian community is nowadays the strongest.

The coordinating body and official representative of the diamond sector, is the HRD: an official organisation, recognised internationally and acting as host, spokesperson and intermediary for the Belgian diamond community.

HRD is the Belgian diamond sector’s official liaison with governments, and actively promotes support for the diamond sector, home and abroad. (www.awdc.be)

Sources: www.diamondland.be & OKV-Publication: Het Diamantmuseum in Antwerpen (2002, n°3)

Diamonds

Thé Diamond Museum: a BrilliAntwerp Story!

different mining methods (from alluvial exploitation to a subterranean mine gallery) by means of multiscreen film projections, music, spoken text, personal testimonies, atmospheric sounds, light effects, displays of authentic and atmospheric objects. The pipeline links up with the historical story in the socalled ‘treasure chamber’ and explains why people process and trade diamonds.

© Diamond museum / White

After the cutting and polishing, the visitor is shown how diamonds play a role in everyone’s life: indeed, the innumerable applications of industrial diamonds draw us all into the global diamond story.

Visitors also see how the diamond with its unique properties has a crucial role to play in future projects in the fields of medicine, space travel and science in general.

© Diamond museum / White © Diamond museum

Eight out of ten diamonds traded around the world pass at least once the city of Antwerp, the World Diamond Centre. Diamonds extracted from mines all over the world are processed, cut, praised, bought and sold in the metropolis Antwerp and the Antwerp Campine (Kempen).

What better reason then for the Diamond Museum, a Province of Antwerp initiative, to draw special attention to the city’s inextricable links with diamond in its recently revamped and now even more stylish home. Following its make-over, the Diamond Museum takes a fresh look at the wondrous world of the hardest and most fascinating stone in the world – which can be transformed into a dazzling diamond jewel, brilliantly cut by Antwerp craftsmen: an ANTwerp story that is more brilliANT than ever!

With an unsurprising emphasis on all that glitters, a visit to the Diamond Museum contains more than just a look at diamonds and objects presented in showcases. There are various levels of discovery. A central position is taken by the ‘Antwerp Diamond Story’, a story of ordinary people and special events recorded in the rich diamond history of the Province of Antwerp, the Campine region (Kempen).

Besides the diamond story, the visitor is drawn to the treasure chambers spread over three floors where he can find the museum’s unique collection of diamond creations: historic diamond jewels and contemporary diamond jewellery as well as exhibition space!

The global character of diamonds and the deep

human emotions they have aroused throughout centuries provide the leitmotif for the thematic development of the Antwerp Diamond Story.

After an introduction in the Welcome Wing 360° – where an audiovisual introduction sheds light on the role of the Diamond Museum in Antwerp from a cultural and historical point of view and on the so-called ‘Diamond Heritage’ of Antwerp city and province - the visitor immediately encounters a number of personalities like Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who might be described as the prototype of the modern-day diamond trader. The information that Tavernier communicates in the 17th century forms an important link between the mythical diamond story of the East and European attitudes to diamond and diamond jewellery. After witnessing for himself the splendour of real diamonds (including the ECC – “European Community Championship” - tennis racquet), the visitor continues his journey through the bowls of the earth, under a volcano to discover the origin of diamonds. In the subsequent geographical story about the locations where they are found and the different sorts of rough diamond, the visitor then discovers his or her diamond: a rough diamond which at this point takes its place in the diamond story.

But what is a diamond? The visitor finds out for himself what makes a diamond so special: hardness, colour, refraction of light, thermal and electrical conductivity, industrial diamond, gem quality, etc. Large three-dimensional atom structures and hardness scales lead to the mining section on the second floor: a multimedia experience about the

82

Best of Belgium

Antwerp, with her rich history and long experience of diamonds, clearly plays a central role here. After all this information about origin and trade, the visitor goes down to the first floor where the visitor’s eyes are opened to the rich history of diamond processing by a real diamond cutter’s workshop (“De Eendracht”), one of the most important items in the collection and part of our industrial archaeological heritage. On weekdays, the present diamond worker talks about cleaving, cutting and polishing. Interactive visual display units demonstrate the latest techniques (scanning diamonds, determining by means of the computer how to polish the diamond to produce the best shape, etc.) and give the visitor the chance to put his or her diamond under the microscope and decide how it should be worked.

The Historical Collection of Diamond Jewellery from the Antwerp Diamond Museum: a charming and fascinating collection telling an interesting story.

For more than four centuries the diamond has been the jewel par excellence. From the 17th century onwards it was the jewel worn by kings, queens, the aristocracy and well-off ladies and gentlemen during nightly activities, balls, operas and theatre performances. Therefore, the evolution of the diamond jewel can be considered a fascinating story which is highlighted in the Provincial Diamond Museum in Antwerp, Belgium.

© Diamond museum / White

Best of Belgium

83

Since the opening of the ‘old’ diamond museum in 1988 efforts have been made to build up an historic collection of diamond jewels which have been selected for their beauty and their art-historical importance. These jewels are not only to be admired for their charisma, they also give evidence of historic bonds between nations and cultures, discoveries of new countries and continents, the influence of religion and royal courts, the historic evolutions and changing traditions and the technological developments in the diamond jeweller’s and silversmith’s craft. In the ‘former’ diamond museum it was the treasure room with its authentic historic jewellery collection that formed the grand finale of a visit. Yet, in the present Diamond Museum at the renewed Koningin Astridplein (Queen Astrid Square)

in Antwerp, the three treasure rooms are even more important because they illustrate the fascinating story of the diamond as a jewel.

That’s why, at the beginning of the visit, a few fascinating diamond designs are shown to captivate the visitor: the ECC-tennis trophy with its 1617 diamonds; a 19th brooch in the shape of a peacock from the French jeweller Gustave Baugrand (182670), and the A-brooch, a second version of the brooch given to former president Bill Clinton of the USA, during the HRD Diamond Conference in 2003. The A-brooch, referring both to Antwerp and America, is a gift to the museum from the Antwerp diamond and jewellery firm “Munic Gems”.

The treasure room on the second floor gives an illustration of the diamond jewel’s history from the 16th century until present times. Subjects brought to the attention of the visitor are e.g.: the Spanish and Portuguese influences shown in gold baroque jewels, classicism in eighteenth-century designs influenced by the French court, the language of ‘botany’ in romantic brooches having the shape of a twig and dating from the mid 19th century, the emergence of the jewel for common people at the beginning of the 19th century, the influence of Queen Victoria and Impératrice Eugénie, exotic influences in the ‘Art Nouveau’ era, jewels designed for gala nights, geometry and the abundance of diamonds during the ‘Art déco’ period, the influence of the world wars on the designing of jewels, … .

The treasure room on the first floor is entirely dedicated to the artistic contemporary diamond jewel. It’s a place used to display the permanent collection as well as temporary collections. Although there are many museums exposing jewels, the Antwerp Diamond Museum is unique in its approach to the historic and contemporary jewel, because it specialises in turning diamonds into diamond jewel designs.

So a visit to the Diamond Museum in Antwerp involves much more than just looking at diamonds and objects in display cases and reading panels of scientific background information. A visit is an experience for the senses with image, film and sound, whereby the visitor not only looks at situations, but is plunged into the exciting and atmospheric world of diamonds. That world can be explored on different levels, thereby enabling each individual to make his visit as in-depth as he wishes, in his chosen language and at his own pace.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION Diamantmuseum Provincie Antwerpen Koningin Astridplein 19-23 2018 Antwerpen tel.: 32 (0)3 202 48 90 fax: 32 (0)3 202 48 98 info@diamant.provant.be www.diamantmuseum.be

Diamonds

Thé Diamond Museum: a BrilliAntwerp Story!

different mining methods (from alluvial exploitation to a subterranean mine gallery) by means of multiscreen film projections, music, spoken text, personal testimonies, atmospheric sounds, light effects, displays of authentic and atmospheric objects. The pipeline links up with the historical story in the socalled ‘treasure chamber’ and explains why people process and trade diamonds.

© Diamond museum / White

After the cutting and polishing, the visitor is shown how diamonds play a role in everyone’s life: indeed, the innumerable applications of industrial diamonds draw us all into the global diamond story.

Visitors also see how the diamond with its unique properties has a crucial role to play in future projects in the fields of medicine, space travel and science in general.

© Diamond museum / White © Diamond museum

Eight out of ten diamonds traded around the world pass at least once the city of Antwerp, the World Diamond Centre. Diamonds extracted from mines all over the world are processed, cut, praised, bought and sold in the metropolis Antwerp and the Antwerp Campine (Kempen).

What better reason then for the Diamond Museum, a Province of Antwerp initiative, to draw special attention to the city’s inextricable links with diamond in its recently revamped and now even more stylish home. Following its make-over, the Diamond Museum takes a fresh look at the wondrous world of the hardest and most fascinating stone in the world – which can be transformed into a dazzling diamond jewel, brilliantly cut by Antwerp craftsmen: an ANTwerp story that is more brilliANT than ever!

With an unsurprising emphasis on all that glitters, a visit to the Diamond Museum contains more than just a look at diamonds and objects presented in showcases. There are various levels of discovery. A central position is taken by the ‘Antwerp Diamond Story’, a story of ordinary people and special events recorded in the rich diamond history of the Province of Antwerp, the Campine region (Kempen).

Besides the diamond story, the visitor is drawn to the treasure chambers spread over three floors where he can find the museum’s unique collection of diamond creations: historic diamond jewels and contemporary diamond jewellery as well as exhibition space!

The global character of diamonds and the deep

human emotions they have aroused throughout centuries provide the leitmotif for the thematic development of the Antwerp Diamond Story.

After an introduction in the Welcome Wing 360° – where an audiovisual introduction sheds light on the role of the Diamond Museum in Antwerp from a cultural and historical point of view and on the so-called ‘Diamond Heritage’ of Antwerp city and province - the visitor immediately encounters a number of personalities like Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who might be described as the prototype of the modern-day diamond trader. The information that Tavernier communicates in the 17th century forms an important link between the mythical diamond story of the East and European attitudes to diamond and diamond jewellery. After witnessing for himself the splendour of real diamonds (including the ECC – “European Community Championship” - tennis racquet), the visitor continues his journey through the bowls of the earth, under a volcano to discover the origin of diamonds. In the subsequent geographical story about the locations where they are found and the different sorts of rough diamond, the visitor then discovers his or her diamond: a rough diamond which at this point takes its place in the diamond story.

But what is a diamond? The visitor finds out for himself what makes a diamond so special: hardness, colour, refraction of light, thermal and electrical conductivity, industrial diamond, gem quality, etc. Large three-dimensional atom structures and hardness scales lead to the mining section on the second floor: a multimedia experience about the

82

Best of Belgium

Antwerp, with her rich history and long experience of diamonds, clearly plays a central role here. After all this information about origin and trade, the visitor goes down to the first floor where the visitor’s eyes are opened to the rich history of diamond processing by a real diamond cutter’s workshop (“De Eendracht”), one of the most important items in the collection and part of our industrial archaeological heritage. On weekdays, the present diamond worker talks about cleaving, cutting and polishing. Interactive visual display units demonstrate the latest techniques (scanning diamonds, determining by means of the computer how to polish the diamond to produce the best shape, etc.) and give the visitor the chance to put his or her diamond under the microscope and decide how it should be worked.

The Historical Collection of Diamond Jewellery from the Antwerp Diamond Museum: a charming and fascinating collection telling an interesting story.

For more than four centuries the diamond has been the jewel par excellence. From the 17th century onwards it was the jewel worn by kings, queens, the aristocracy and well-off ladies and gentlemen during nightly activities, balls, operas and theatre performances. Therefore, the evolution of the diamond jewel can be considered a fascinating story which is highlighted in the Provincial Diamond Museum in Antwerp, Belgium.

© Diamond museum / White

Best of Belgium

83

Since the opening of the ‘old’ diamond museum in 1988 efforts have been made to build up an historic collection of diamond jewels which have been selected for their beauty and their art-historical importance. These jewels are not only to be admired for their charisma, they also give evidence of historic bonds between nations and cultures, discoveries of new countries and continents, the influence of religion and royal courts, the historic evolutions and changing traditions and the technological developments in the diamond jeweller’s and silversmith’s craft. In the ‘former’ diamond museum it was the treasure room with its authentic historic jewellery collection that formed the grand finale of a visit. Yet, in the present Diamond Museum at the renewed Koningin Astridplein (Queen Astrid Square)

in Antwerp, the three treasure rooms are even more important because they illustrate the fascinating story of the diamond as a jewel.

That’s why, at the beginning of the visit, a few fascinating diamond designs are shown to captivate the visitor: the ECC-tennis trophy with its 1617 diamonds; a 19th brooch in the shape of a peacock from the French jeweller Gustave Baugrand (182670), and the A-brooch, a second version of the brooch given to former president Bill Clinton of the USA, during the HRD Diamond Conference in 2003. The A-brooch, referring both to Antwerp and America, is a gift to the museum from the Antwerp diamond and jewellery firm “Munic Gems”.

The treasure room on the second floor gives an illustration of the diamond jewel’s history from the 16th century until present times. Subjects brought to the attention of the visitor are e.g.: the Spanish and Portuguese influences shown in gold baroque jewels, classicism in eighteenth-century designs influenced by the French court, the language of ‘botany’ in romantic brooches having the shape of a twig and dating from the mid 19th century, the emergence of the jewel for common people at the beginning of the 19th century, the influence of Queen Victoria and Impératrice Eugénie, exotic influences in the ‘Art Nouveau’ era, jewels designed for gala nights, geometry and the abundance of diamonds during the ‘Art déco’ period, the influence of the world wars on the designing of jewels, … .

The treasure room on the first floor is entirely dedicated to the artistic contemporary diamond jewel. It’s a place used to display the permanent collection as well as temporary collections. Although there are many museums exposing jewels, the Antwerp Diamond Museum is unique in its approach to the historic and contemporary jewel, because it specialises in turning diamonds into diamond jewel designs.

So a visit to the Diamond Museum in Antwerp involves much more than just looking at diamonds and objects in display cases and reading panels of scientific background information. A visit is an experience for the senses with image, film and sound, whereby the visitor not only looks at situations, but is plunged into the exciting and atmospheric world of diamonds. That world can be explored on different levels, thereby enabling each individual to make his visit as in-depth as he wishes, in his chosen language and at his own pace.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION Diamantmuseum Provincie Antwerpen Koningin Astridplein 19-23 2018 Antwerpen tel.: 32 (0)3 202 48 90 fax: 32 (0)3 202 48 98 info@diamant.provant.be www.diamantmuseum.be

Diamonds

Rayjo Rayjo, a generations-old jeweller’s in the heart of Antwerp’s diamond centre, specialises in the manufacture of diamond jewellery. In addition to providing a wonderful modern collection, Rayjo offers its customers the possibility of creating their own jewellery in collaboration with its designers.

On the basis of a first rough sketch and a word of explanation by you, an order is drawn up, which may be based on an existing model, for the jewellery of your dreams. After any further consultations, the designers work out your idea in three dimensions on a computer. This first visualisation gives you an improved picture of your future piece of jewellery and enables any adjustments to be made.

Your design is then printed out in two kinds of wax using one of our three-dimensional printers. One kind of wax is required only for the structure of the piece and is eliminated in the “de-waxing” process. The remaining wax then constitutes a perfect model for casting the piece using the lost wax technique.

Rayjo is one of the few jewellers’ in Antwerp to possess both visualisation technology and printing machines. We therefore have creative possibilities on offer that up until a few years ago were totally unthinkable.

All our jewellery is by default cast in 18 carat white or yellow gold.

Other possibilities are palladium white, an alloy in which extra palladium is added to the gold in order to make it whiter, and platinum.

Increasingly, laser technology is being used in the finishing of the jewellery. The great accuracy obtained with lasers means that our jewellery and its parts can be manipulated much more easily without risk of damage.

Gems are set only after preliminary polishing. Depending on the design, between one and a several hundred diamonds are carefully selected and set in your piece of jewellery.

Across the world, diamonds are valued in view of their four main features, the “four Cs” – Cut (shape), Carat (weight), Clarity (purity) and Colour.

84

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

85

The shape (Cut) given to a diamond depends on the original shape of the raw stone. Besides the round shape, or brilliant, the most sought-after shapes are the princess (square), the oval, the pear, the emerald, the heart and the marquise.

Diamonds are scrupulously weighed to a thousandth of a gram. The weight is converted to carats (ct) and rounded off to three decimal places. The metric carat has been standardised internationally at 0.2 grams. A 1.15 ct diamond would therefore weigh 0.23 grams, for example.

The purity (Clarity) of the stone depends on the number of inclusions present in the finished diamond. It is called flawless if an expert using a magnifying glass under standard light conditions is unable to distinguish any inclusions. Diamonds with extremely small inclusions are categorised as VVS (very, very small inclusions), those with very small inclusions as VS and those with small inclusions as SI.

Diamonds with inclusions visible to the naked eye are categorised as P (piqué). The purer the diamond, the greater its value will be.

Colour varies between “exceptional white +”, which is considered to be the best, and “tinted colour”, the least interesting. The assignation of the colour quota follows an alphabetic scale, with D at the top of the scale and M at the bottom.

For a design with one or a few diamonds, either a claw setting or a bezel setting, whereby the surrounding gold metal is hammered or “driven” over the edges of the stone, is used. The revolutionary pavé setting technique is used to set several diamonds in a metal plate. The excess metal is cut away extremely precisely, under a microscope, leaving behind only the minimum essential for holding the stones in place. The stones are thereby able to be set very close together, resulting in optimal brilliance.

Part of our collection is on view on our website (www.rayjo.be). Both private individuals and professionals (including semimanufacturers) are welcome.

www.rayjo.be

Diamonds

Rayjo Rayjo, a generations-old jeweller’s in the heart of Antwerp’s diamond centre, specialises in the manufacture of diamond jewellery. In addition to providing a wonderful modern collection, Rayjo offers its customers the possibility of creating their own jewellery in collaboration with its designers.

On the basis of a first rough sketch and a word of explanation by you, an order is drawn up, which may be based on an existing model, for the jewellery of your dreams. After any further consultations, the designers work out your idea in three dimensions on a computer. This first visualisation gives you an improved picture of your future piece of jewellery and enables any adjustments to be made.

Your design is then printed out in two kinds of wax using one of our three-dimensional printers. One kind of wax is required only for the structure of the piece and is eliminated in the “de-waxing” process. The remaining wax then constitutes a perfect model for casting the piece using the lost wax technique.

Rayjo is one of the few jewellers’ in Antwerp to possess both visualisation technology and printing machines. We therefore have creative possibilities on offer that up until a few years ago were totally unthinkable.

All our jewellery is by default cast in 18 carat white or yellow gold.

Other possibilities are palladium white, an alloy in which extra palladium is added to the gold in order to make it whiter, and platinum.

Increasingly, laser technology is being used in the finishing of the jewellery. The great accuracy obtained with lasers means that our jewellery and its parts can be manipulated much more easily without risk of damage.

Gems are set only after preliminary polishing. Depending on the design, between one and a several hundred diamonds are carefully selected and set in your piece of jewellery.

Across the world, diamonds are valued in view of their four main features, the “four Cs” – Cut (shape), Carat (weight), Clarity (purity) and Colour.

84

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

85

The shape (Cut) given to a diamond depends on the original shape of the raw stone. Besides the round shape, or brilliant, the most sought-after shapes are the princess (square), the oval, the pear, the emerald, the heart and the marquise.

Diamonds are scrupulously weighed to a thousandth of a gram. The weight is converted to carats (ct) and rounded off to three decimal places. The metric carat has been standardised internationally at 0.2 grams. A 1.15 ct diamond would therefore weigh 0.23 grams, for example.

The purity (Clarity) of the stone depends on the number of inclusions present in the finished diamond. It is called flawless if an expert using a magnifying glass under standard light conditions is unable to distinguish any inclusions. Diamonds with extremely small inclusions are categorised as VVS (very, very small inclusions), those with very small inclusions as VS and those with small inclusions as SI.

Diamonds with inclusions visible to the naked eye are categorised as P (piqué). The purer the diamond, the greater its value will be.

Colour varies between “exceptional white +”, which is considered to be the best, and “tinted colour”, the least interesting. The assignation of the colour quota follows an alphabetic scale, with D at the top of the scale and M at the bottom.

For a design with one or a few diamonds, either a claw setting or a bezel setting, whereby the surrounding gold metal is hammered or “driven” over the edges of the stone, is used. The revolutionary pavé setting technique is used to set several diamonds in a metal plate. The excess metal is cut away extremely precisely, under a microscope, leaving behind only the minimum essential for holding the stones in place. The stones are thereby able to be set very close together, resulting in optimal brilliance.

Part of our collection is on view on our website (www.rayjo.be). Both private individuals and professionals (including semimanufacturers) are welcome.

www.rayjo.be

Diamonds

Dali Diamond Dali Diamond Co. is an international group with products and services across the diamond pipeline. The core business activities are rough diamond sourcing, diamond manufacturing, polished diamond trading and jewellery manufacturing. Through offices in Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, Paris, New York and Tokyo, Dali supplies some of the world’s most prestigious watch and jewellery houses and high-profile retailers.

Over the past five decades and three generations, Dali Diamond Co. has become one of the world’s most prominent diamantaires, known for their wide assortment, exceptional service and quality level, and flair for new marketing initiatives.

As a Diamond Trading Company Sightholder since 1969, and through a close relationship with Russian mining company Alrosa, Dali Diamond is able to offer consistency and reliability in supply, while the authenticity and integrity of their diamonds remain assured.

WebCut Femme Fatale bangle by Stephen Webster

Dali Diamond’s flagship marketing projects are jewellery partners A.Link and Stephen Webster, and proprietary diamond cut “The WebCut”.

For over 100 years A.Link has manufactured divine diamond intensive jewellery of unequalled craftsmanship and design, personifying modern elegance and timeless fashion. A.Link jewellery is fabricated solely to for the purpose of highlighting a diamond’s brilliance, allowing the stones to do that which they do best: scintillate, reflect and sparkle. A.Link jewellery symbolizes the highest quality diamonds and unsurpassed style, presented through America’s leading jewelers.

Dali Diamond’s exclusive WebCut diamond, inspired by nature’s master-architect the spider,

is praised for its beautiful silhouette and vivacious character. The WebCut achieved international acclaim through Diamond Delvaux, the Spider Ring and Dress Collection at the launch of Spiderman II, and the award-winning Femme Fatale Collection by top designer Stephen Webster.

Whatever you have in mind.

London based Stephen Webster is praised and acknowledged by trade, press and consumers as one of the world’s most talented jewellery designers.

Fusing a sharp and bold attitude with traditional craftsmanship, his jewellery has been recognized as daring and trendsetting, loved by numerous celebrities. The WebCut Femme Fatale jewellery Collection and Diamond Libertine watch Collection are the initial results of this ambitious partnership.

www.dalidiamond.com www.thewebcut.com www.alinkandco.com www.stephenwebster.com Dali Diamond Co. Hoveniersstraat 51 – Suite 1302 2018 Antwerp – Belgium Tel: +32.32337941 Fax: +32.32342615 Email: info@dalidiamond.com

86

Best of Belgium

HOVENIERSSTRAAT 51 B47

2018 ANTWERP

+32.3.233.79.41

DALIDIAMOND.COM

Diamonds

Dali Diamond Dali Diamond Co. is an international group with products and services across the diamond pipeline. The core business activities are rough diamond sourcing, diamond manufacturing, polished diamond trading and jewellery manufacturing. Through offices in Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Shanghai, Paris, New York and Tokyo, Dali supplies some of the world’s most prestigious watch and jewellery houses and high-profile retailers.

Over the past five decades and three generations, Dali Diamond Co. has become one of the world’s most prominent diamantaires, known for their wide assortment, exceptional service and quality level, and flair for new marketing initiatives.

As a Diamond Trading Company Sightholder since 1969, and through a close relationship with Russian mining company Alrosa, Dali Diamond is able to offer consistency and reliability in supply, while the authenticity and integrity of their diamonds remain assured.

WebCut Femme Fatale bangle by Stephen Webster

Dali Diamond’s flagship marketing projects are jewellery partners A.Link and Stephen Webster, and proprietary diamond cut “The WebCut”.

For over 100 years A.Link has manufactured divine diamond intensive jewellery of unequalled craftsmanship and design, personifying modern elegance and timeless fashion. A.Link jewellery is fabricated solely to for the purpose of highlighting a diamond’s brilliance, allowing the stones to do that which they do best: scintillate, reflect and sparkle. A.Link jewellery symbolizes the highest quality diamonds and unsurpassed style, presented through America’s leading jewelers.

Dali Diamond’s exclusive WebCut diamond, inspired by nature’s master-architect the spider,

is praised for its beautiful silhouette and vivacious character. The WebCut achieved international acclaim through Diamond Delvaux, the Spider Ring and Dress Collection at the launch of Spiderman II, and the award-winning Femme Fatale Collection by top designer Stephen Webster.

Whatever you have in mind.

London based Stephen Webster is praised and acknowledged by trade, press and consumers as one of the world’s most talented jewellery designers.

Fusing a sharp and bold attitude with traditional craftsmanship, his jewellery has been recognized as daring and trendsetting, loved by numerous celebrities. The WebCut Femme Fatale jewellery Collection and Diamond Libertine watch Collection are the initial results of this ambitious partnership.

www.dalidiamond.com www.thewebcut.com www.alinkandco.com www.stephenwebster.com Dali Diamond Co. Hoveniersstraat 51 – Suite 1302 2018 Antwerp – Belgium Tel: +32.32337941 Fax: +32.32342615 Email: info@dalidiamond.com

86

Best of Belgium

HOVENIERSSTRAAT 51 B47

2018 ANTWERP

+32.3.233.79.41

DALIDIAMOND.COM

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like.

Design is how it works.

Chapter 5 Design

Steve Jobs (1955 - )

La Belge Ring by Hubert Verstraeten for ABC-Authentic Belgian Creativity, Fuorisalone Milan, April 2007

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like.

Design is how it works.

Chapter 5 Design

Steve Jobs (1955 - )

La Belge Ring by Hubert Verstraeten for ABC-Authentic Belgian Creativity, Fuorisalone Milan, April 2007

Design

Pro Materia

Belgium an emerging design country

Creative Design Consultancy Agency

The small triangular formed country by the North Sea is known to the world for its art cities, Bruges, Ghent, Liége, Brussels and Antwerp, fashion, Rubens, Tintin, Magritte, Eddy Merckx, its good food, beer, chocolates and “French” fries.

Economically, its central situation in Europe, the high productivity of its labor and the high quality of this production, are the main reasons why Belgium is a country in which many foreign companies invest and built their plants.

The last few years a new element can be added to this rather traditional reputation of Belgium for it has become a very design friendly area. It has even become a hot spot for creation. This phenomenon started halfway the nineties when a number of Belgian designers in Flanders started their business or gained an important contact with a foreign company. Two very interesting designers at that time were Dirk Wynants and Maarten Van Severen. The first one founded Extremis and brought the Gargantua Table to the market. This fantastic piece of outdoor furniture became in no time a classic design product. At about the same time Maarten Van Severen was contacted by Vitra and started talks about the production of some of his products. It resulted in the creation and production of the .03 chair, which has become today one of the best selling and best known chairs in the world.

Flanders was the Belgian region where the upwards movement of design started in the mid eighties and furniture design the field in which it took place. Since three years Brussels regained its interest in design and only recently Wallonia started several initiatives to foster design. In Flanders three main actors prepared the field for, the at that time, young designers.

A lot of the work was and is still done by Design Flanders, but there was also the Design Museum in Ghent and the biennial design fair “Interieur” in Kortrijk.

Designers are trained to the highest level in three design schools, in Antwerp (1968), Genk (1969) and Kortrijk (1993). The Fine Art Academies also trained young artists as painters and sculptors who eventually started a career as designer. A fine designer who illustrates this is Fabiaan Van Severen. After a period of collaboration with his brother Maarten, he started his own business with growing success. His “Cross-legged” chair is the best object he realized in that time.

But most of them received training in industrial design and with success.

Casimir e.g. is mentioned in the “Design Encyclopedia” by Mel Byars (Moma, 2003, New York). When he enlarged an undeep bowl into a table he presented a fascinating product, made in massive wood or stainless steel. There are Luc Ramael and Leo Aerts who had the opportunity to work for Italian companies like Pallucaitalia and B&B. The furniture by André Verroken did not become internationally famous, but was an example of creativity and craftsmanship for most of the younger designers. People I mentioned above were the pioneers. They were ahead of a bigger wave

of furniture design that is nowadays conquering the international markets.

This year (2006), in Milan, there were some 40 companies and designers present. Important names are Danny Venlet, Quinze&Milan and Xavier Lust. All of them are designers that started the hard way by producing most of there projects themselves. Today they have their own companies as Extremis, Alinea, May17, Vlaemsch, etc … Recently there emerged a group of entrepreneurs who one can describe as “the editors.” It is something completely new that young entrepreneurs look for designers and commission them to create a product, organize the production, but do not produce themselves and bring it to the market on their own risk…Feld, Naked, Indera, Vange, WOW, Vlaemsch are acting in this way.

I should not forget the textile industry which during the eighties invested a great deal of creative energy and money in design, partly through actions taken by the government. The success of fashion in Antwerp started at that moment. Nowadays the rather conservative textile industry for upholstery, tapestry and other tissues also invests in design and recognizes the added value of it. They even publish the names of the designers, although this was not a common habit. Renowned designers are Martine Gyselbrecht, Marie Mees, Francine Van Der Biest, JAM, Els Huygelen, etc … Interesting are the craft or artistic roots of those designers who started their creative careers as painters or weavers.

Lise Coirier Director, Pro Materia

© Lieven Herreman

Established in 1999, Pro Materia creates an efficient framework around contemporary design projects in order to support designers and companies reaching their goals and to promote them with a long term vision. Its aim is that more design projects start gaining depth and relevancy.

The one and only ingredient is in fact to add a HUMAN and CREATIVE VALUE to the process behind products and services.

In Flanders one also finds luggage design at high level in companies such as Kipling, Hedgren and Samsonite. Belgium is also performs in lighting design with companies as Modular, Light, Kreon, Dark, …

Stay up-to-date.

Pro Materia can offer a selection of publications, media contacts, reports on events, research on specific fields…

Last but not least I recommend Enthoven Associates, the oldest industrial design studio, which specializes in mobility design like trains, tramways, busses and metro wagons. This studio is very active on the Asian markets.

Talk to the right people.

Networking is essential for finding clients, distributors, companies willing to collaborate with designers, innovative materials and technologies, new projects and call of offers funded by the European Commission’s programs. Pro Materia has a database of more than 3000 contacts in Belgium and worldwide. Its free monthly newsletter promotes its activities and key design events from Belgium and abroad. Selections and specific researches and contacts with designers and design-led companies can be made on request..

For economical reasons and mainly the threat of globalized production, businesses in Flanders nowadays embrace design as a factor of innovation and creativity. Its importance is recognized everywhere. This attitude permits design to enrich its mere existence by adding to its cultural value the importance of its economical impact.

Johan Valcke

Communicate effectively.

Pro Materia can handle the content and editorial coordination of leaflets, websites and reference publications and books. By working with publishers and graphic designers as well as with communication agencies on an everyday basis,

90

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

91

Pro Materia can take care of public relations and specific design studies. Among its clients: Stichting Kunstboek, Racine/Lannoo, Materialise, Xavier Lust, L’Anverre, Luc Vincent, Hubert Verstraeten, Milk Magazine, Kwintessens, Textile Magazine, Brussels Fashion Fairs, Kid’s Fashion, thewhitehotel…

Get seen.

Organizing specialized and focused events.

Pro Materia is curating or is willing to set up design exhibitions and call for projects (www.grand-hornu. be/label-design, www.parckdesign.be, www.thewhitehotel.be), design city tours (www.artifact.be), design fairs in Belgium or abroad (www.abc-design.be), crafts and/or design conferences and workshops (www.eu-design.net, www.humancities.be), crafts and design radio and TV productions.

Make the right choices.

When thinking about a design or/and crafts collection or scenery, Pro Materia is able to select the best and more exceptional pieces. The agency has a great insight in the history and the current developments of contemporary design.

Reveal hidden treasures.

Pro Materia researches and values design archives (publication, exhibition, collector item…).

It has already produced a book and several exhibitions on the history of belgian design from 1945 onwards.

Info: www.promateria.be

Design

Pro Materia

Belgium an emerging design country

Creative Design Consultancy Agency

The small triangular formed country by the North Sea is known to the world for its art cities, Bruges, Ghent, Liége, Brussels and Antwerp, fashion, Rubens, Tintin, Magritte, Eddy Merckx, its good food, beer, chocolates and “French” fries.

Economically, its central situation in Europe, the high productivity of its labor and the high quality of this production, are the main reasons why Belgium is a country in which many foreign companies invest and built their plants.

The last few years a new element can be added to this rather traditional reputation of Belgium for it has become a very design friendly area. It has even become a hot spot for creation. This phenomenon started halfway the nineties when a number of Belgian designers in Flanders started their business or gained an important contact with a foreign company. Two very interesting designers at that time were Dirk Wynants and Maarten Van Severen. The first one founded Extremis and brought the Gargantua Table to the market. This fantastic piece of outdoor furniture became in no time a classic design product. At about the same time Maarten Van Severen was contacted by Vitra and started talks about the production of some of his products. It resulted in the creation and production of the .03 chair, which has become today one of the best selling and best known chairs in the world.

Flanders was the Belgian region where the upwards movement of design started in the mid eighties and furniture design the field in which it took place. Since three years Brussels regained its interest in design and only recently Wallonia started several initiatives to foster design. In Flanders three main actors prepared the field for, the at that time, young designers.

A lot of the work was and is still done by Design Flanders, but there was also the Design Museum in Ghent and the biennial design fair “Interieur” in Kortrijk.

Designers are trained to the highest level in three design schools, in Antwerp (1968), Genk (1969) and Kortrijk (1993). The Fine Art Academies also trained young artists as painters and sculptors who eventually started a career as designer. A fine designer who illustrates this is Fabiaan Van Severen. After a period of collaboration with his brother Maarten, he started his own business with growing success. His “Cross-legged” chair is the best object he realized in that time.

But most of them received training in industrial design and with success.

Casimir e.g. is mentioned in the “Design Encyclopedia” by Mel Byars (Moma, 2003, New York). When he enlarged an undeep bowl into a table he presented a fascinating product, made in massive wood or stainless steel. There are Luc Ramael and Leo Aerts who had the opportunity to work for Italian companies like Pallucaitalia and B&B. The furniture by André Verroken did not become internationally famous, but was an example of creativity and craftsmanship for most of the younger designers. People I mentioned above were the pioneers. They were ahead of a bigger wave

of furniture design that is nowadays conquering the international markets.

This year (2006), in Milan, there were some 40 companies and designers present. Important names are Danny Venlet, Quinze&Milan and Xavier Lust. All of them are designers that started the hard way by producing most of there projects themselves. Today they have their own companies as Extremis, Alinea, May17, Vlaemsch, etc … Recently there emerged a group of entrepreneurs who one can describe as “the editors.” It is something completely new that young entrepreneurs look for designers and commission them to create a product, organize the production, but do not produce themselves and bring it to the market on their own risk…Feld, Naked, Indera, Vange, WOW, Vlaemsch are acting in this way.

I should not forget the textile industry which during the eighties invested a great deal of creative energy and money in design, partly through actions taken by the government. The success of fashion in Antwerp started at that moment. Nowadays the rather conservative textile industry for upholstery, tapestry and other tissues also invests in design and recognizes the added value of it. They even publish the names of the designers, although this was not a common habit. Renowned designers are Martine Gyselbrecht, Marie Mees, Francine Van Der Biest, JAM, Els Huygelen, etc … Interesting are the craft or artistic roots of those designers who started their creative careers as painters or weavers.

Lise Coirier Director, Pro Materia

© Lieven Herreman

Established in 1999, Pro Materia creates an efficient framework around contemporary design projects in order to support designers and companies reaching their goals and to promote them with a long term vision. Its aim is that more design projects start gaining depth and relevancy.

The one and only ingredient is in fact to add a HUMAN and CREATIVE VALUE to the process behind products and services.

In Flanders one also finds luggage design at high level in companies such as Kipling, Hedgren and Samsonite. Belgium is also performs in lighting design with companies as Modular, Light, Kreon, Dark, …

Stay up-to-date.

Pro Materia can offer a selection of publications, media contacts, reports on events, research on specific fields…

Last but not least I recommend Enthoven Associates, the oldest industrial design studio, which specializes in mobility design like trains, tramways, busses and metro wagons. This studio is very active on the Asian markets.

Talk to the right people.

Networking is essential for finding clients, distributors, companies willing to collaborate with designers, innovative materials and technologies, new projects and call of offers funded by the European Commission’s programs. Pro Materia has a database of more than 3000 contacts in Belgium and worldwide. Its free monthly newsletter promotes its activities and key design events from Belgium and abroad. Selections and specific researches and contacts with designers and design-led companies can be made on request..

For economical reasons and mainly the threat of globalized production, businesses in Flanders nowadays embrace design as a factor of innovation and creativity. Its importance is recognized everywhere. This attitude permits design to enrich its mere existence by adding to its cultural value the importance of its economical impact.

Johan Valcke

Communicate effectively.

Pro Materia can handle the content and editorial coordination of leaflets, websites and reference publications and books. By working with publishers and graphic designers as well as with communication agencies on an everyday basis,

90

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

91

Pro Materia can take care of public relations and specific design studies. Among its clients: Stichting Kunstboek, Racine/Lannoo, Materialise, Xavier Lust, L’Anverre, Luc Vincent, Hubert Verstraeten, Milk Magazine, Kwintessens, Textile Magazine, Brussels Fashion Fairs, Kid’s Fashion, thewhitehotel…

Get seen.

Organizing specialized and focused events.

Pro Materia is curating or is willing to set up design exhibitions and call for projects (www.grand-hornu. be/label-design, www.parckdesign.be, www.thewhitehotel.be), design city tours (www.artifact.be), design fairs in Belgium or abroad (www.abc-design.be), crafts and/or design conferences and workshops (www.eu-design.net, www.humancities.be), crafts and design radio and TV productions.

Make the right choices.

When thinking about a design or/and crafts collection or scenery, Pro Materia is able to select the best and more exceptional pieces. The agency has a great insight in the history and the current developments of contemporary design.

Reveal hidden treasures.

Pro Materia researches and values design archives (publication, exhibition, collector item…).

It has already produced a book and several exhibitions on the history of belgian design from 1945 onwards.

Info: www.promateria.be

Design

Design Flanders gives young talent the chance to grow.

As a Flemish governmental organisation, the main aim of Design Flanders is to promote contemporary design of a high quality to people, organisations and companies.

This involves a wide range of activities on a cultural and an economical level, where Design Flanders takes the deliberate option to present a well-balanced mix of established and young designers.

© Jan Stragier

Graphics work by Jan W. Hespeel & Randoald Sabbe, Henry van de Velde Award Young Talent.

Ontmoeting, Bowlsculpture by Tjok Dessauvage, Henry van de Velde Award Career 2006.

· Design Flanders is continuously looking for new design talent. During the spring and autumn, we select innovative and creative designers and add them to our database. In the annual New Harvest exhibition, we show their creations to the public. We also guarantee designers, companies, press, galleries and the audience that we only work with this database of designers. · Every year, Design Flanders rewards promising designers and innovative design companies with the prestigious ‘Henry van de Velde Awards’. These Awards consist of a trophy and € 2.500,00. Since 2006, we also award the ‘Henry van de Velde Labels’ to specific products as a proof of their quality, originality, authenticity and innovative aspects. The label is a proof of quality and can be used as such by the designer and the company. · Six times a year, Design Flanders exhibits new design ideas in its own gallery in Brussels. Once every three years, it investigates a specific design team in the Design Triennials. Other exhibitions in Belgium and abroad occur. · Kwintessens is a periodical, issued by Design Flanders, that informs about design in Belgium and abroad. Four times a year, an interesting and current topic is investigated. Each time, a different graphic designer gets the chance to show his mastery to the readers. · Design Flanders assists companies in their search for the right designers. By means of workshops, we help companies to incorporate design in their strategy.

Often, a book is made as a report of this workshops, to share the knowledge with other companies.

Graphics work by Jan W. Hespeel & Randoald Sabbe, Henry van de Velde Award Young Talent.

In the years that it has been active, Design Flanders has been a firm promoter of design and design management as an important economical factor for the improvement of quality, innovation and turnover. Therefore, Design Flanders, under the supervision of the Flemish Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade and as part of Flanders Enterprise, not only supports designers in Flanders and helps companies to integrate design in their activities, but is also active in making the general public aware on the surplus value of design.

‘Quality design’ is more than a slogan to us; it is the cornerstone of a whole range of initiatives developed by Design Flanders:

Chair by Danny Venlet for Bulo.

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Best of Belgium

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· Throughout the year, Design Flanders subsidises stimulating design projects.

Design Flanders also provides business advice to designers and companies, together with the Flanders Enterprise Account Managers. · On the website www.designflanders.be, people find more information about Design Flanders, the selected designers and a design agenda.

Design Flanders is also active on the international level through the organisation of exhibitions abroad and by its active partner role in different European projects.

Furthermore, Design Flanders is an active member of several international design organisations.

Design Flanders Koloniënstraat 56 (6th floor) B-1000 Brussels +32 2 227 60 60 info@designflanders.be

Design

Design Flanders gives young talent the chance to grow.

As a Flemish governmental organisation, the main aim of Design Flanders is to promote contemporary design of a high quality to people, organisations and companies.

This involves a wide range of activities on a cultural and an economical level, where Design Flanders takes the deliberate option to present a well-balanced mix of established and young designers.

© Jan Stragier

Graphics work by Jan W. Hespeel & Randoald Sabbe, Henry van de Velde Award Young Talent.

Ontmoeting, Bowlsculpture by Tjok Dessauvage, Henry van de Velde Award Career 2006.

· Design Flanders is continuously looking for new design talent. During the spring and autumn, we select innovative and creative designers and add them to our database. In the annual New Harvest exhibition, we show their creations to the public. We also guarantee designers, companies, press, galleries and the audience that we only work with this database of designers. · Every year, Design Flanders rewards promising designers and innovative design companies with the prestigious ‘Henry van de Velde Awards’. These Awards consist of a trophy and € 2.500,00. Since 2006, we also award the ‘Henry van de Velde Labels’ to specific products as a proof of their quality, originality, authenticity and innovative aspects. The label is a proof of quality and can be used as such by the designer and the company. · Six times a year, Design Flanders exhibits new design ideas in its own gallery in Brussels. Once every three years, it investigates a specific design team in the Design Triennials. Other exhibitions in Belgium and abroad occur. · Kwintessens is a periodical, issued by Design Flanders, that informs about design in Belgium and abroad. Four times a year, an interesting and current topic is investigated. Each time, a different graphic designer gets the chance to show his mastery to the readers. · Design Flanders assists companies in their search for the right designers. By means of workshops, we help companies to incorporate design in their strategy.

Often, a book is made as a report of this workshops, to share the knowledge with other companies.

Graphics work by Jan W. Hespeel & Randoald Sabbe, Henry van de Velde Award Young Talent.

In the years that it has been active, Design Flanders has been a firm promoter of design and design management as an important economical factor for the improvement of quality, innovation and turnover. Therefore, Design Flanders, under the supervision of the Flemish Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship, Science, Innovation and Foreign Trade and as part of Flanders Enterprise, not only supports designers in Flanders and helps companies to integrate design in their activities, but is also active in making the general public aware on the surplus value of design.

‘Quality design’ is more than a slogan to us; it is the cornerstone of a whole range of initiatives developed by Design Flanders:

Chair by Danny Venlet for Bulo.

92

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

93

· Throughout the year, Design Flanders subsidises stimulating design projects.

Design Flanders also provides business advice to designers and companies, together with the Flanders Enterprise Account Managers. · On the website www.designflanders.be, people find more information about Design Flanders, the selected designers and a design agenda.

Design Flanders is also active on the international level through the organisation of exhibitions abroad and by its active partner role in different European projects.

Furthermore, Design Flanders is an active member of several international design organisations.

Design Flanders Koloniënstraat 56 (6th floor) B-1000 Brussels +32 2 227 60 60 info@designflanders.be

Design

Label-Design.be Design in Belgium after 2000

The question of whether there is a Belgian design in the same way as there is a French, Italian or Scandinavian design remains to be answered. Patience will be required before the real impact of Belgian design may be appreciated. Today there are a great many innovative designers and companies in this small country and their products are catalysts for contemporary creativity. The exhibition and accompanying book, “Label-design.be”, created on the initiative of Grand-Hornu Images, Pro Materia and Design Vlaanderen, showcases the best of Belgian design since the year 2000.

The reputation of numerous creators and companies which are concerned with design goes beyond the country’s borders. One almost immediately thinks of personalities such as Maarten Van Severen († 2005), Vincent Van Duysen and Xavier Lust who, among so many others, have managed to raise their talent to the international level by associating with prestige brands, very often of Italian origin.

Several sectors are considered as Belgium’s strong points, such as mobility, public transportation, lighting, design of furniture and the creation of more hightech products, which for some are close to the intention of the engineer. Beyond the ubiquity of more traditional materials such as wood, textiles and metal, the development of technologies and the extensive use of composite materials has also pushed creators almost systematically to integrate the ergonomic and “soft design” factors. Products become “more human” and closer and closer to the user. They are also still today the object of experimentation and fluctuate between art and industry.

94

Best of Belgium

Belgian design or design in Belgium? The multiplicative factor…

Here we find a certain ambiguity of contemporary design which nourishes an incessant communication between the creators, the economic and cultural participants and the spirit of our time. Surrealistic, paradoxical, lively, avantgarde and very often playful and provocative, Belgian design defies the prevailing classicism. It claims no school or style (that would be too facile!) but is freshly enthusiastic as is shown by the ‘historic’ presence this year of Belgian designers and producers at the furniture salon in Milan. A presentation of “Label-Design.be” at the triennial was therefore self-evident to mark this striking phenomenon.

Lise Coirier Curator of the exhibition Pro Materia asbl

In partnership with Design Vlaanderen (director : Johan Valcke) – www.designflanders.be and Grand-Hornu Images (director : Françoise Foulon) – www.grand-hornu.be Set design : Winston Spriet Graphics : Franck Sarfati, Sign*, particular signs Reference work : “Label-Design.be” published by Stichting Kunstboek Concept and editorial co-ordination : Pro Materia asbl.

Best of Belgium

95

Design

Label-Design.be Design in Belgium after 2000

The question of whether there is a Belgian design in the same way as there is a French, Italian or Scandinavian design remains to be answered. Patience will be required before the real impact of Belgian design may be appreciated. Today there are a great many innovative designers and companies in this small country and their products are catalysts for contemporary creativity. The exhibition and accompanying book, “Label-design.be”, created on the initiative of Grand-Hornu Images, Pro Materia and Design Vlaanderen, showcases the best of Belgian design since the year 2000.

The reputation of numerous creators and companies which are concerned with design goes beyond the country’s borders. One almost immediately thinks of personalities such as Maarten Van Severen († 2005), Vincent Van Duysen and Xavier Lust who, among so many others, have managed to raise their talent to the international level by associating with prestige brands, very often of Italian origin.

Several sectors are considered as Belgium’s strong points, such as mobility, public transportation, lighting, design of furniture and the creation of more hightech products, which for some are close to the intention of the engineer. Beyond the ubiquity of more traditional materials such as wood, textiles and metal, the development of technologies and the extensive use of composite materials has also pushed creators almost systematically to integrate the ergonomic and “soft design” factors. Products become “more human” and closer and closer to the user. They are also still today the object of experimentation and fluctuate between art and industry.

94

Best of Belgium

Belgian design or design in Belgium? The multiplicative factor…

Here we find a certain ambiguity of contemporary design which nourishes an incessant communication between the creators, the economic and cultural participants and the spirit of our time. Surrealistic, paradoxical, lively, avantgarde and very often playful and provocative, Belgian design defies the prevailing classicism. It claims no school or style (that would be too facile!) but is freshly enthusiastic as is shown by the ‘historic’ presence this year of Belgian designers and producers at the furniture salon in Milan. A presentation of “Label-Design.be” at the triennial was therefore self-evident to mark this striking phenomenon.

Lise Coirier Curator of the exhibition Pro Materia asbl

In partnership with Design Vlaanderen (director : Johan Valcke) – www.designflanders.be and Grand-Hornu Images (director : Françoise Foulon) – www.grand-hornu.be Set design : Winston Spriet Graphics : Franck Sarfati, Sign*, particular signs Reference work : “Label-Design.be” published by Stichting Kunstboek Concept and editorial co-ordination : Pro Materia asbl.

Best of Belgium

95

Design

thewhitehotel Promoting Belgian design

thewhitehotel, the first hotel to promote Belgian design, opened its doors in 2006 showcasing the work of 60 talented designers. Design consultancy Pro. Materia selected the designers under the label “The Belgian Designers Rooms.”

The basic idea was initiated by A2M (Sebastian Moreno-Vacca), Michel Penneman and Jean Michel André. Design permeates the entire hotel. From the hotel entrance and the lobby, Belgian design is to be found everywhere: from the ‘Banc’ and the ‘Finder’ by Xavier Lust to the lounge sofas of Quinze & Milan and the Vitra chairs designed by the late Maarten Van Severen.

In addition, every room has on show for one year a very recent original work of art, even objects that have not yet been exhibited, designed by one of the 60 talented Belgian designers. Every client of thewhitehotel will thus be in close contact with one of the works of art from this temporary mini-collection, whether it be an everyday object, an item of furniture, a mirror, a bookcase or an accessory with a surprising look ... These works of art give every room in the hotel a unique and very distinctive personality.

Designers: Leo Aerts, Bart Baccarne, Marina Bautier, Giovanni Bauwens, Alain Berteau, Damien Bihr, Bram Boo, Nicolas Bovesse, Casimir, Pino Cazzetta, Maarten De Ceulaer, Benoît Deneufbourg, Nicolas Destino, Paul Fastré, Tim Guldentops, Daniel Henry, Linde Hermans, Ulrike Herremans, Els Huygelen, Suzon Ingber, Vincent Jalet, Birgir Johannsson, Charles Kaisin, Charlotte Lancelot; Luc Lemahieu, Bart Lens, Louis Limbourg Stirum, Katia De Witte/ Limited Edition, Xavier Lust, Anne Masson & Eric Chevalier, Materialise.MGX, Jean Meirlaen, Chris Mestdagh, Geneviève Nyns ; Elric Petit, Big Game, Nadirzadeh Peyman, Gauthier Poulain,

96

Best of Belgium

Arne Quinze, Stefan Schöning, Colombo, Sem Schanzer, L’Anverre, Annick Schotte, Tristan Slegers/Taquin, Lucile Soufflet, Diane Steverlynck, Maxime Szyf/Maximaldesign, Jacques Tilman, Gilles Van den Brempt, Francine Van der Biest, Vincent Van Duysen, Inge Van Gheel, Clemens Van Himbeeck, Koert Vanoverbeke/Pars Pro Toto, Koen Van Spaendonck, Borja Veciana, Danny Venlet, Hubert Verstraeten, Luc Vincent, Weyers & Borms, Sylvain Willenz, Dirk Wynants…

Publishers: Alinea, Driade, Ethnicraft, Extremis, Feld, Industrielle, Limited Edition, MDF Italia, Modular, Objets B’Art, Quinze & Milan, Taquin, Tupperware Europe, Unic Design, Vange, Vitra, Vlaemsch, Wildspirit…

Organising contact persons: - The Belgian Designers Rooms & Lobby – Pro Materia, Creative Design Consultancy Lise Coirier & Bénédicte de Brouwer Elisabethlaan 4 B- 3080 Tervuren T./F. +32 (0)2 768 25 10 info@promateria.be www.promateria.be - thewhitehotel Jean-Michel André, Louizalaan 212 B- 1050 Brussel T. +32 (0)2 644 29 29 jma@thewhitehotel.be www.thewhitehotel.be

Best of Belgium

97

Design

thewhitehotel Promoting Belgian design

thewhitehotel, the first hotel to promote Belgian design, opened its doors in 2006 showcasing the work of 60 talented designers. Design consultancy Pro. Materia selected the designers under the label “The Belgian Designers Rooms.”

The basic idea was initiated by A2M (Sebastian Moreno-Vacca), Michel Penneman and Jean Michel André. Design permeates the entire hotel. From the hotel entrance and the lobby, Belgian design is to be found everywhere: from the ‘Banc’ and the ‘Finder’ by Xavier Lust to the lounge sofas of Quinze & Milan and the Vitra chairs designed by the late Maarten Van Severen.

In addition, every room has on show for one year a very recent original work of art, even objects that have not yet been exhibited, designed by one of the 60 talented Belgian designers. Every client of thewhitehotel will thus be in close contact with one of the works of art from this temporary mini-collection, whether it be an everyday object, an item of furniture, a mirror, a bookcase or an accessory with a surprising look ... These works of art give every room in the hotel a unique and very distinctive personality.

Designers: Leo Aerts, Bart Baccarne, Marina Bautier, Giovanni Bauwens, Alain Berteau, Damien Bihr, Bram Boo, Nicolas Bovesse, Casimir, Pino Cazzetta, Maarten De Ceulaer, Benoît Deneufbourg, Nicolas Destino, Paul Fastré, Tim Guldentops, Daniel Henry, Linde Hermans, Ulrike Herremans, Els Huygelen, Suzon Ingber, Vincent Jalet, Birgir Johannsson, Charles Kaisin, Charlotte Lancelot; Luc Lemahieu, Bart Lens, Louis Limbourg Stirum, Katia De Witte/ Limited Edition, Xavier Lust, Anne Masson & Eric Chevalier, Materialise.MGX, Jean Meirlaen, Chris Mestdagh, Geneviève Nyns ; Elric Petit, Big Game, Nadirzadeh Peyman, Gauthier Poulain,

96

Best of Belgium

Arne Quinze, Stefan Schöning, Colombo, Sem Schanzer, L’Anverre, Annick Schotte, Tristan Slegers/Taquin, Lucile Soufflet, Diane Steverlynck, Maxime Szyf/Maximaldesign, Jacques Tilman, Gilles Van den Brempt, Francine Van der Biest, Vincent Van Duysen, Inge Van Gheel, Clemens Van Himbeeck, Koert Vanoverbeke/Pars Pro Toto, Koen Van Spaendonck, Borja Veciana, Danny Venlet, Hubert Verstraeten, Luc Vincent, Weyers & Borms, Sylvain Willenz, Dirk Wynants…

Publishers: Alinea, Driade, Ethnicraft, Extremis, Feld, Industrielle, Limited Edition, MDF Italia, Modular, Objets B’Art, Quinze & Milan, Taquin, Tupperware Europe, Unic Design, Vange, Vitra, Vlaemsch, Wildspirit…

Organising contact persons: - The Belgian Designers Rooms & Lobby – Pro Materia, Creative Design Consultancy Lise Coirier & Bénédicte de Brouwer Elisabethlaan 4 B- 3080 Tervuren T./F. +32 (0)2 768 25 10 info@promateria.be www.promateria.be - thewhitehotel Jean-Michel André, Louizalaan 212 B- 1050 Brussel T. +32 (0)2 644 29 29 jma@thewhitehotel.be www.thewhitehotel.be

Best of Belgium

97

Design

Alinea Design Objects The consistent soberness of Leo Aerts

With UFO Leo Aerts made a step forward. This wonderful set of three dishes can take nine different forms depending on the way the dishes are represented. UFO is the result of a very deep brainstorming of the designer. It’s impossible to resist this elegant object and its volume. In 1999 UFO was selected for the Zilvertriënnale in Hanau (Germany) and afterwards this object made a European tour. In 1997 Leo Aerts won with UFO the prize ‘Silver for the fin de siècle’ for the province of Antwerp (Belgium).

The Flemish designer Leo Aerts (°1957), who graduated at the architects department of the PHL in Diepenbeek, first achieved international acclaim in 1987, when he won the ‘Concorso Sity’ prize from B&B Italia with the low table named ‘Meta’. At the time, however, he had already been working in his own design studio since 1983. Leo Aerts was specialized in designing interiors and furniture. Soon he found his own way of designing: a style that stands out by a sober, but very fine design. Leo Aerts became one of Flanders’ most talented designers.

The nineties confirmed what we said before. Leo Aerts kept searching intensively for new objects and that led to several creations that have totally captivated people. Some of these objects were bought by the shops of the Boymans- Van Beuningen Museum (Rotterdam, Netherlands), the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Köln, Germany) and the MACBA (Barcelona, Spain). The creations of Leo Aerts have been distributed by the most leading design shops all over the world. The permanent collection of the

Design Museum Gent (Gent, Belgium) and the Silver Museum Sterckshof (Deurne, Belgium) also show some of his creations.

In 1995 the collection design objects led to the creation of Alinea Design Objects, meant to take care of the production and distribution of the objects.

Best of Belgium

Colore, the most recent collection, contains sideboards and low tables which most important features are light and colour.

The items Zubazuba and Visibile prove that the designer’s versatility has grown.

Zubazuba is a champagne bucket.

This object seems to be the simplicity itself, but in fact it’s a very fine and wellconsidered design, a typical feature of the designers work. Just like the other items Zubazuba is also multifunctional: with a glass accessory you can turn Zubazuba into a beautiful vase.

The first successful design object from Leo Aerts was a vase: Ziggy.

Thanks to its characteristic soberness and fascinating basic concept this vase became a statement of Leo Aerts’ vision.

Made of polished or sandblasted stainless steel, with charming elements in coloured Murano glass, Ziggy is also the first in series produced embodiment of an own, original aestheticism.

98

be the centre of attention. Visibile is a very discrete and multifunctional item of a timeless class. Leo Aerts made different models: standing, hanging and horizontal showcases. On special request Visibile can be delivered made to measure, according to the customers wishes. It is perfectly feasible to integrate Visibile in residential homes, shop interiors, galleries and museums.

Visibile is a very elegant and practical design. This showcase creates space and is a safe environment for the objects presented, without trying to

Best of Belgium

99

The items, designed by Leo Aerts, received different awards: • UFO Award of the province Antwerp • Zubazuba Good Design Award 2004 • Visibile Good Design Award 2005 Alinea Design Objects Stationsstraat 169 2440 Geel – Belgium T+32(0)14 58 65 69 F+32(0)14 58 36 36 info@alinea.be www.alinea.be

Design

Alinea Design Objects The consistent soberness of Leo Aerts

With UFO Leo Aerts made a step forward. This wonderful set of three dishes can take nine different forms depending on the way the dishes are represented. UFO is the result of a very deep brainstorming of the designer. It’s impossible to resist this elegant object and its volume. In 1999 UFO was selected for the Zilvertriënnale in Hanau (Germany) and afterwards this object made a European tour. In 1997 Leo Aerts won with UFO the prize ‘Silver for the fin de siècle’ for the province of Antwerp (Belgium).

The Flemish designer Leo Aerts (°1957), who graduated at the architects department of the PHL in Diepenbeek, first achieved international acclaim in 1987, when he won the ‘Concorso Sity’ prize from B&B Italia with the low table named ‘Meta’. At the time, however, he had already been working in his own design studio since 1983. Leo Aerts was specialized in designing interiors and furniture. Soon he found his own way of designing: a style that stands out by a sober, but very fine design. Leo Aerts became one of Flanders’ most talented designers.

The nineties confirmed what we said before. Leo Aerts kept searching intensively for new objects and that led to several creations that have totally captivated people. Some of these objects were bought by the shops of the Boymans- Van Beuningen Museum (Rotterdam, Netherlands), the Museum für Angewandte Kunst (Köln, Germany) and the MACBA (Barcelona, Spain). The creations of Leo Aerts have been distributed by the most leading design shops all over the world. The permanent collection of the

Design Museum Gent (Gent, Belgium) and the Silver Museum Sterckshof (Deurne, Belgium) also show some of his creations.

In 1995 the collection design objects led to the creation of Alinea Design Objects, meant to take care of the production and distribution of the objects.

Best of Belgium

Colore, the most recent collection, contains sideboards and low tables which most important features are light and colour.

The items Zubazuba and Visibile prove that the designer’s versatility has grown.

Zubazuba is a champagne bucket.

This object seems to be the simplicity itself, but in fact it’s a very fine and wellconsidered design, a typical feature of the designers work. Just like the other items Zubazuba is also multifunctional: with a glass accessory you can turn Zubazuba into a beautiful vase.

The first successful design object from Leo Aerts was a vase: Ziggy.

Thanks to its characteristic soberness and fascinating basic concept this vase became a statement of Leo Aerts’ vision.

Made of polished or sandblasted stainless steel, with charming elements in coloured Murano glass, Ziggy is also the first in series produced embodiment of an own, original aestheticism.

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be the centre of attention. Visibile is a very discrete and multifunctional item of a timeless class. Leo Aerts made different models: standing, hanging and horizontal showcases. On special request Visibile can be delivered made to measure, according to the customers wishes. It is perfectly feasible to integrate Visibile in residential homes, shop interiors, galleries and museums.

Visibile is a very elegant and practical design. This showcase creates space and is a safe environment for the objects presented, without trying to

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The items, designed by Leo Aerts, received different awards: • UFO Award of the province Antwerp • Zubazuba Good Design Award 2004 • Visibile Good Design Award 2005 Alinea Design Objects Stationsstraat 169 2440 Geel – Belgium T+32(0)14 58 65 69 F+32(0)14 58 36 36 info@alinea.be www.alinea.be

Design

Parckdesign 2007: “Hug The Trees” Designing new urban furniture in a Brussels park. See the winners at the Jardins du Fleuriste in Brussels.

Michaël Bihain, Ondine, 2007

The competition Parckdesign encourages designers to imagine and conceive innovative urban furniture to be be placed in the Jardins du Fleuriste in Laeken (Brussels) for a test-period of minimum 3 years. In the longer term, Parckdesign seeks to deliver a creative platform for the design, development and prototyping of urban furniture in Belgium—and for the international promotion thereof.

The second edition is entitled “HUG THE TREES” and was directed at professionals (industrial designers, architects, urban planners, interior architects or artists) as well as to non-professionals such as students in art, design and architecture schools. The five winning projects were selected by an international jury composed of professionals.

The public also had a say via an electronic vote.

The selection criteria deal with innovation and creativity, originality, functionality, sustainability, ergonomy, comfort, interactivity, user-friendliness, solidity, resistance to vandalism as well as safety and landscape integration. This project is an initiative by the Brussels Minister of Environment and coordinated by Pro Materia.

Frédéric Beauthier, Breath, 2007

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Best of Belgium

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Contact: www.parckdesign.be Also see the exhibition in the Galerie Saint-Hubert and the book “Parckdesign: Hug the Trees, Embrassons les Arbres, Omhels de Bomen” co-published by Stichting Kunstboek/Pro Materia/ Brussels Environment.

Design

Parckdesign 2007: “Hug The Trees” Designing new urban furniture in a Brussels park. See the winners at the Jardins du Fleuriste in Brussels.

Michaël Bihain, Ondine, 2007

The competition Parckdesign encourages designers to imagine and conceive innovative urban furniture to be be placed in the Jardins du Fleuriste in Laeken (Brussels) for a test-period of minimum 3 years. In the longer term, Parckdesign seeks to deliver a creative platform for the design, development and prototyping of urban furniture in Belgium—and for the international promotion thereof.

The second edition is entitled “HUG THE TREES” and was directed at professionals (industrial designers, architects, urban planners, interior architects or artists) as well as to non-professionals such as students in art, design and architecture schools. The five winning projects were selected by an international jury composed of professionals.

The public also had a say via an electronic vote.

The selection criteria deal with innovation and creativity, originality, functionality, sustainability, ergonomy, comfort, interactivity, user-friendliness, solidity, resistance to vandalism as well as safety and landscape integration. This project is an initiative by the Brussels Minister of Environment and coordinated by Pro Materia.

Frédéric Beauthier, Breath, 2007

100

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

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Contact: www.parckdesign.be Also see the exhibition in the Galerie Saint-Hubert and the book “Parckdesign: Hug the Trees, Embrassons les Arbres, Omhels de Bomen” co-published by Stichting Kunstboek/Pro Materia/ Brussels Environment.

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD)

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 6 Dining & Hospitality

Bear in mind that you should conduct yourself in life as at a feast.

Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD)

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 6 Dining & Hospitality

Dining & Hospitality

The Master Chefs of Belgium

Moules F

The Master Chefs of Belgium Association was founded in 1980 by Pierre Romeyer, an extraordinary personality in Belgian top chef circles. Taking the example of Paul Bocuse in France, Romeyer dedicated himself to the protection of a tradition that has earned this country an outstanding reputation in all corners of the world: gastronomy.

The Master Chefs Association, currently under new chairmanship of Robert Van Duuren, counts more than 80 members, the absolute top of Belgianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine cuisine. These men and women guarantee the quality of Belgian cuisine. They do not hesitate to question themselves, to continuously strive for improvement and to share their knowledge and expertise with younger people, so as to ensure a strong future for this craftsmanship.

this task, the Master Chefs organize and support several important events in the Belgian culinary calendarâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for example, the Night of the Chefs, The Week of the Youth, The Week of the Taste, and the reputable Best Artisanal-Chef of Belgium competition.

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Acquaint yourself with the leaders of Belgian fine cuisine. See the member list at: www.maitres-cuisiniers.be

The creed of the Association: the know-how, intelligence and professionalism of the Chef are equally indispensible to the success of a dish as is the use of top quality fresh produce.

As craftsman of taste, who also have eye for the right produce, the Master Chefs of Belgium have adopted an additional responsibility. In these times where the depravation of food is becoming ever more prevalent, the Master Chefs wish to share their love of the craft with their customers, since there is no better place than at the table for warmth and happiness to reign. To fulfill

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Best of Belgium

Beer brewed carefully, to be consumed with care.

Dining & Hospitality

The Master Chefs of Belgium

Moules F

The Master Chefs of Belgium Association was founded in 1980 by Pierre Romeyer, an extraordinary personality in Belgian top chef circles. Taking the example of Paul Bocuse in France, Romeyer dedicated himself to the protection of a tradition that has earned this country an outstanding reputation in all corners of the world: gastronomy.

The Master Chefs Association, currently under new chairmanship of Robert Van Duuren, counts more than 80 members, the absolute top of Belgianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine cuisine. These men and women guarantee the quality of Belgian cuisine. They do not hesitate to question themselves, to continuously strive for improvement and to share their knowledge and expertise with younger people, so as to ensure a strong future for this craftsmanship.

this task, the Master Chefs organize and support several important events in the Belgian culinary calendarâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for example, the Night of the Chefs, The Week of the Youth, The Week of the Taste, and the reputable Best Artisanal-Chef of Belgium competition.

R

I

T

E

S

Acquaint yourself with the leaders of Belgian fine cuisine. See the member list at: www.maitres-cuisiniers.be

The creed of the Association: the know-how, intelligence and professionalism of the Chef are equally indispensible to the success of a dish as is the use of top quality fresh produce.

As craftsman of taste, who also have eye for the right produce, the Master Chefs of Belgium have adopted an additional responsibility. In these times where the depravation of food is becoming ever more prevalent, the Master Chefs wish to share their love of the craft with their customers, since there is no better place than at the table for warmth and happiness to reign. To fulfill

104

Best of Belgium

Beer brewed carefully, to be consumed with care.

Dining & Hospitality

L’Alban Chambon restaurant ...

Another world… a world devoted to pleasure, to culinary and visual delights.

The Sea Grill Already highly ranked in most reputed French and International guides, the gourmet seafood restaurant, Sea Grill, of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, is considered as one of the best fine dining places of Belgium.

Yves Mattagne, Executive Chef

This gastronomic restaurant features exquisite seafood preparations, created by Executive Chef, Yves Mattagne. You may choose à la carte or from our wide selection of menus. Here are a few starters and main courses to help water your palette.

Marc Meremans, Director of the restaurant

Belon Oysters & Green Pertius Asparagus with Belota nut emulsion, fine jelly and peas � Saint Pierre fish & Knife fish with fine coconut jelly, tamarind, baby squid, coriander pesto & mango � Red Tuna & Goose Liver Paté with peas, Maria beans, truffle &, Belota nut emulsion � John Dory fish & Razor Shells with fine coconut jelly, tamarind, baby squid, coriander pesto & mango � Araguani Chocolate with Caraque chocolate, Crème Brûlée, Belgian spice bread & ice cream of dried figs

Guests may choose from our exclusive range of wines from the restaurant’s much-appreciated cellar, elaborated with formidable savoir-faire. The Sea Grill has even concocted a very detailed wine suggestion menu and the sommelier can give very interesting advice concerning the 17 diverse nationalities of the bottles. Together the Sea Grill’s cuisine and its choice of wines ranging from the classical to the highly original will delight you.

The excellent multilingual service of the restaurant is managed by Marc Meremans, Director of the restaurant.

Another distinctive point about the Sea Grill is its superb silver

Lobster press, created by Jacques Le Divellec and produced by Christofle. It weighs in at 40 kg and took half a year to make. There are only four in the world.

In the historical centre of Brussels, close by the “Grand Place”, the “Bourse” and the “Théâtre de la Monnaie”, the Hotel Metropole looms majestically.

Unique to Belgium, is the Sea Grill Lounge’s walk-in humidor from which guests may choose from a pristine array of 60 differently referenced fine cigars. The lounge is secluded and yet offers views over the garden, under the hotel’s eightstorey high, glass Atrium.

In its interior it shelters a famous restaurant “L’Alban Chambon” which is unavoidable as far as Brussels cookery is concerned. It distingueshes itself with the quality of its service and its sumptuous interior decoration : high ceiling with original mouldings, mirrors, crystal chandeliers, lambrequins and parquet. All help to confer a typical Italian baroque style to this gastronomic restaurant.

The Belgian, Nicolas Lecompte is the designer of the elegant decoration of the Sea Grill. Impressive glass wall coverings, depicting the beautiful fjords of Norway give a Scandinavian touch.

No less impressive, the cuisine, classical and innovative is a veritable jewel in the gastronomic field. This magnificent setting, superbly renovated, “L’Alban Chambon” is pleasing on the eye as well as a tantalising pleasure on the tongue.

The restaurant also has two private rooms where groups of 8 to 16 people may dine in a personal atmosphere. The Sea Grill has a maximum capacity of 98 guests.

For more than 18 years, Dominique Michou, member of the exclusive associations of the « Maîtres Cuisiniers » of Belgium and « Maîtres Cuisiniers » of France, is the Executive chef. In this time he has created more than 2000 dishes. He proposes seasonnal menu cards offering a very large selection of his specialities with fish, meat, foie gras and lobster.

Conditions: A long sleeved shirt is obligatory.

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

For more information or for reservations do not hesitate to contact us: Rue du Fossé aux loups 47 1000 BRUSSELS Phone: +32 (0)2.217.92.25 Fax: +32 (0)2.227.31.27 admin.seagrill@radissonsas.com

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Best of Belgium

The sommelier is always at our client’s disposal to make a decision between 250 different wines and more than 4000 bottles in the cellar.

To begin or continue this exceptional moment, “Le 19ème” Bar: offers an elegant, refined and

Best of Belgium

107

relaxing atmosphere in a timeless decor, serving cocktails and fine aged whiskies.

During a recent refurbishment a number of original paintings, dating from the beginning of the 20th Century, were discovered on the ceiling of the bar. « L’Alban Chambon » restaurant is open from Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner and is closed on Satuday, Sunday and bank holidays.

Hotel Metropole 31, place de Brouckère B – 1000 Brussels (Belgium) Tel. : +32-2-214 25 25 Fax : +32-2-214 25 10 E-mail : fb.mgr@metropolehotel.be www.metropolehotel.com

Dining & Hospitality

L’Alban Chambon restaurant ...

Another world… a world devoted to pleasure, to culinary and visual delights.

The Sea Grill Already highly ranked in most reputed French and International guides, the gourmet seafood restaurant, Sea Grill, of the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, is considered as one of the best fine dining places of Belgium.

Yves Mattagne, Executive Chef

This gastronomic restaurant features exquisite seafood preparations, created by Executive Chef, Yves Mattagne. You may choose à la carte or from our wide selection of menus. Here are a few starters and main courses to help water your palette.

Marc Meremans, Director of the restaurant

Belon Oysters & Green Pertius Asparagus with Belota nut emulsion, fine jelly and peas � Saint Pierre fish & Knife fish with fine coconut jelly, tamarind, baby squid, coriander pesto & mango � Red Tuna & Goose Liver Paté with peas, Maria beans, truffle &, Belota nut emulsion � John Dory fish & Razor Shells with fine coconut jelly, tamarind, baby squid, coriander pesto & mango � Araguani Chocolate with Caraque chocolate, Crème Brûlée, Belgian spice bread & ice cream of dried figs

Guests may choose from our exclusive range of wines from the restaurant’s much-appreciated cellar, elaborated with formidable savoir-faire. The Sea Grill has even concocted a very detailed wine suggestion menu and the sommelier can give very interesting advice concerning the 17 diverse nationalities of the bottles. Together the Sea Grill’s cuisine and its choice of wines ranging from the classical to the highly original will delight you.

The excellent multilingual service of the restaurant is managed by Marc Meremans, Director of the restaurant.

Another distinctive point about the Sea Grill is its superb silver

Lobster press, created by Jacques Le Divellec and produced by Christofle. It weighs in at 40 kg and took half a year to make. There are only four in the world.

In the historical centre of Brussels, close by the “Grand Place”, the “Bourse” and the “Théâtre de la Monnaie”, the Hotel Metropole looms majestically.

Unique to Belgium, is the Sea Grill Lounge’s walk-in humidor from which guests may choose from a pristine array of 60 differently referenced fine cigars. The lounge is secluded and yet offers views over the garden, under the hotel’s eightstorey high, glass Atrium.

In its interior it shelters a famous restaurant “L’Alban Chambon” which is unavoidable as far as Brussels cookery is concerned. It distingueshes itself with the quality of its service and its sumptuous interior decoration : high ceiling with original mouldings, mirrors, crystal chandeliers, lambrequins and parquet. All help to confer a typical Italian baroque style to this gastronomic restaurant.

The Belgian, Nicolas Lecompte is the designer of the elegant decoration of the Sea Grill. Impressive glass wall coverings, depicting the beautiful fjords of Norway give a Scandinavian touch.

No less impressive, the cuisine, classical and innovative is a veritable jewel in the gastronomic field. This magnificent setting, superbly renovated, “L’Alban Chambon” is pleasing on the eye as well as a tantalising pleasure on the tongue.

The restaurant also has two private rooms where groups of 8 to 16 people may dine in a personal atmosphere. The Sea Grill has a maximum capacity of 98 guests.

For more than 18 years, Dominique Michou, member of the exclusive associations of the « Maîtres Cuisiniers » of Belgium and « Maîtres Cuisiniers » of France, is the Executive chef. In this time he has created more than 2000 dishes. He proposes seasonnal menu cards offering a very large selection of his specialities with fish, meat, foie gras and lobster.

Conditions: A long sleeved shirt is obligatory.

Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

For more information or for reservations do not hesitate to contact us: Rue du Fossé aux loups 47 1000 BRUSSELS Phone: +32 (0)2.217.92.25 Fax: +32 (0)2.227.31.27 admin.seagrill@radissonsas.com

106

Best of Belgium

The sommelier is always at our client’s disposal to make a decision between 250 different wines and more than 4000 bottles in the cellar.

To begin or continue this exceptional moment, “Le 19ème” Bar: offers an elegant, refined and

Best of Belgium

107

relaxing atmosphere in a timeless decor, serving cocktails and fine aged whiskies.

During a recent refurbishment a number of original paintings, dating from the beginning of the 20th Century, were discovered on the ceiling of the bar. « L’Alban Chambon » restaurant is open from Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner and is closed on Satuday, Sunday and bank holidays.

Hotel Metropole 31, place de Brouckère B – 1000 Brussels (Belgium) Tel. : +32-2-214 25 25 Fax : +32-2-214 25 10 E-mail : fb.mgr@metropolehotel.be www.metropolehotel.com

Dining & Hospitality

Bel-Air Limousine Service

Chateau d’Hassonville

Bel-Air worldwide chauffeured services is based in Belgium.

Your partner for all your business and private trips.

In the words of one our guests...

Our company has been specialized in chauffeured services since 1964.

We provide a very friendly and professional service allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey to wherever your destination may lead.

Our goal is to provide a good service, with competent and professional chauffeurs with multilingual capacities, English, French, German and Dutch.

Our drivers will help you from the moment you arrive until your departure. They will be at your entire service, flexible and tactful as you would expect them to be.

The image we project must reflect your own high standards and expectations.

Our luxurious vehicles are always presented in immaculate condition.

Our chauffeurs are carefully chosen for their high personal standards, reliability, appearance, driving skills and extensive route knowledge - and all understand the importance of the trained chauffeurs “4 P’s”: Punctuality, Pleasantness, Politeness and Patience Each customer has different requirements. Our professional staff will provide you with a custom service, tailored to your individual needs.

Business customers can rely on our total discretion - we never disclose to any third party the identities of our passengers.

A small overview of the services we offer: ∙ Cars and Limousines at standby ∙ Exclusive cars and limousines ∙ Customer directed trips ∙ Luxury coaches and vans ∙ Multilingual chauffeurs / guides ∙ All round services / hostess service ∙ Airport transfers / baggage service ∙ Daily chauffeur service for airline and other companies ∙ Individual and group sight-seeing tours ∙ Group business trips / conventions ∙ Point-to-point transfers ∙ Wedding ceremonies ∙ Meetings & Events ∙ Special programs ∙ Road shows ∙ Services for Embassies and Consulates ∙ Limousine service for restaurant-, concert- and theater visits ∙ Entertainment ∙ Trips in- and outside Belgium / European tours ∙ Sporting events ∙ 24 Hour service / 7 days a week

Approaching the Chateau d’Hassonville through its security gates and down a long winding tree-covered drive, I was in awe upon seeing the castle. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

As we drove into the inner courtyard, a young man dressed in formal attire greeted us. He took our luggage directly to our room and then moved our car to a hidden parking area, maintaining the pristine ambiance of the surrounding area.

The castle is owned by the Rodrigues Family and has also gained a reputation in gastronomy and as a meeting and seminar center.

Instead of numbers, each suite has a name.

Ours was the A Morzivaux. It was just as majestic as the outside of the Castle and the grounds. There were two full-sized beds, a beautifully designed antique armoire to store our things, and a table with chairs. On one of the lamp tables by the beds was a decanter of wine with two glasses. We had the most awesome view of the castle grounds from our windows. Soft, relaxing classical music appeared to be rising from the gardens below. Later, we discovered a small speaker in the corner of our room.

Contact info Bel-Air chauffeured services Brusselsesteenweg 473, B-1980 Zemst (Belgium) Tel : +32 2 251 11 10 Fax: +32 2 251 52 83 24 hours mobile: +32 475 28 81 82 E-mail: info@bel-air.be Website: www.bel-air.be

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Downstairs, there were numerous elegantly furnished sitting rooms, dining areas, and the Winter Garden where breakfast is served.

The first thing we did was to take a long walk on the many trails of the Castle grounds. The trails are clearly marked by various colored arrows, depending on how long you care to walk. We

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

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started on orange, switched over to green, then just followed our instincts, stopping to enjoy the beautiful fountain in the middle of the large pond. All along the trails were benches at strategic locations to get the best view of the surrounding area. As we approached the end of our walking adventure, we passed by the putting green. We understand there is also fishing available. Guests can also arrange other activities such as tennis, a full 18-hole golf game or horseback riding.

After our walk, a long bubble bath was next.

Wrapping up in the plush, terry robes hanging just inside the bathroom door added to the elegance of our evening. Do we really have to go down to dinner?

We enjoyed our dinner in “Le Grand Pavillon” - the gastronomique restaurant from the castle with the beautifull view on the parc. The wine propositions made by Pierre Vicini - the “Sommelier”, accorded with the 6 courses dinner ‘La menu Symphonie” were splendid. In the morning - ask him to visit his wine cellar “Le cellier de Bacchus”.

And then it was morning . . .

Chateau d’Hassonville Route d’Hassoville 105 6900 Marche-en-Famenne +32 84 31 10 25 +32 84 31 60 27 www.hassonville.be

Dining & Hospitality

Bel-Air Limousine Service

Chateau d’Hassonville

Bel-Air worldwide chauffeured services is based in Belgium.

Your partner for all your business and private trips.

In the words of one our guests...

Our company has been specialized in chauffeured services since 1964.

We provide a very friendly and professional service allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey to wherever your destination may lead.

Our goal is to provide a good service, with competent and professional chauffeurs with multilingual capacities, English, French, German and Dutch.

Our drivers will help you from the moment you arrive until your departure. They will be at your entire service, flexible and tactful as you would expect them to be.

The image we project must reflect your own high standards and expectations.

Our luxurious vehicles are always presented in immaculate condition.

Our chauffeurs are carefully chosen for their high personal standards, reliability, appearance, driving skills and extensive route knowledge - and all understand the importance of the trained chauffeurs “4 P’s”: Punctuality, Pleasantness, Politeness and Patience Each customer has different requirements. Our professional staff will provide you with a custom service, tailored to your individual needs.

Business customers can rely on our total discretion - we never disclose to any third party the identities of our passengers.

A small overview of the services we offer: ∙ Cars and Limousines at standby ∙ Exclusive cars and limousines ∙ Customer directed trips ∙ Luxury coaches and vans ∙ Multilingual chauffeurs / guides ∙ All round services / hostess service ∙ Airport transfers / baggage service ∙ Daily chauffeur service for airline and other companies ∙ Individual and group sight-seeing tours ∙ Group business trips / conventions ∙ Point-to-point transfers ∙ Wedding ceremonies ∙ Meetings & Events ∙ Special programs ∙ Road shows ∙ Services for Embassies and Consulates ∙ Limousine service for restaurant-, concert- and theater visits ∙ Entertainment ∙ Trips in- and outside Belgium / European tours ∙ Sporting events ∙ 24 Hour service / 7 days a week

Approaching the Chateau d’Hassonville through its security gates and down a long winding tree-covered drive, I was in awe upon seeing the castle. It looked like something out of a fairy tale.

As we drove into the inner courtyard, a young man dressed in formal attire greeted us. He took our luggage directly to our room and then moved our car to a hidden parking area, maintaining the pristine ambiance of the surrounding area.

The castle is owned by the Rodrigues Family and has also gained a reputation in gastronomy and as a meeting and seminar center.

Instead of numbers, each suite has a name.

Ours was the A Morzivaux. It was just as majestic as the outside of the Castle and the grounds. There were two full-sized beds, a beautifully designed antique armoire to store our things, and a table with chairs. On one of the lamp tables by the beds was a decanter of wine with two glasses. We had the most awesome view of the castle grounds from our windows. Soft, relaxing classical music appeared to be rising from the gardens below. Later, we discovered a small speaker in the corner of our room.

Contact info Bel-Air chauffeured services Brusselsesteenweg 473, B-1980 Zemst (Belgium) Tel : +32 2 251 11 10 Fax: +32 2 251 52 83 24 hours mobile: +32 475 28 81 82 E-mail: info@bel-air.be Website: www.bel-air.be

108

Downstairs, there were numerous elegantly furnished sitting rooms, dining areas, and the Winter Garden where breakfast is served.

The first thing we did was to take a long walk on the many trails of the Castle grounds. The trails are clearly marked by various colored arrows, depending on how long you care to walk. We

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

109

started on orange, switched over to green, then just followed our instincts, stopping to enjoy the beautiful fountain in the middle of the large pond. All along the trails were benches at strategic locations to get the best view of the surrounding area. As we approached the end of our walking adventure, we passed by the putting green. We understand there is also fishing available. Guests can also arrange other activities such as tennis, a full 18-hole golf game or horseback riding.

After our walk, a long bubble bath was next.

Wrapping up in the plush, terry robes hanging just inside the bathroom door added to the elegance of our evening. Do we really have to go down to dinner?

We enjoyed our dinner in “Le Grand Pavillon” - the gastronomique restaurant from the castle with the beautifull view on the parc. The wine propositions made by Pierre Vicini - the “Sommelier”, accorded with the 6 courses dinner ‘La menu Symphonie” were splendid. In the morning - ask him to visit his wine cellar “Le cellier de Bacchus”.

And then it was morning . . .

Chateau d’Hassonville Route d’Hassoville 105 6900 Marche-en-Famenne +32 84 31 10 25 +32 84 31 60 27 www.hassonville.be

Dining & Hospitality

The Best Hotel In Brussels The hotel has an intimate feel, is extremely comfortable, well located and stylish in its design.

Above Left: Figures of Hergé’s characters enliven the bathrooms’ walls with a touch of humour.

Above Right: The Amigo Roof

“High quality products offer infinitely better taste and appearance. My cooking is about enhancing the natural qualities of those products.”

Giuseppe Colella Executive Chef

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 with the aim of creating a collection of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles, reflecting its nationality and location. The collection is linked together under the Rocco Forte Hotels’ brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

attention to detail and a seemingly effortless attentiveness for every guest.

During a stay at the hotel enjoy the Ristorante Bocconi, a stylish, award winning Italian restaurant, offering delectable Italian and Mediterranean The Rocco Forte’s Hotel Amigo is ideally located in the heart cuisine. Awarded by Delta for of Brussels just next to the Grand-Place, one of the most beautiful “The best Italian cuisine in Brussels”, squares in Europe. Its fresh and stylish interiors, its stunning the Ristorante Bocconi is popular with restaurant and the superior service delivery are just some of the reasons to make the Hotel Amigo your home in the Capital of Europe. locals, guests and celebrities. Before or after dining at the Ristorante Bocconi, The hotel is surrounded by many bars and restaurants offering the Amigo Bar is the best place to meet the chance to sample some of the 400 beers for which Brussels for an aperitif, a cocktail or to enjoy an is famous. Belgian chocolate shops line the cobbled streets, as do impressive list of whiskies and cognacs. shops selling tapestries and lace.

The Hotel Amigo offers 155 bedrooms, 18 suites and one Royal suite. Some rooms have views through on the Grand-Place, whilst others look out over the churches and spires of the city. Goodsized bathrooms contain mosaic details in red or green and figures of Tintin. A fully equipped fitness centre, a private parking with valet service, wifi in public areas, non smoking floors, room service available 24 hours a day and a business centre will enhance your stay at the Hotel Amigo. Guest can benefit from 6 fully-equipped function rooms and a ball room for up to 200 people. The friendly staff offers efficient, intimate service 24 hours a day with careful

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Completely refurbished and decorated by Rocco Forte’s Director of Design Olga Polizzi, the hotel, which once served as the city prison, personifies the modern hybrid that is Brussels: the fusion of Old World charm with dazzling modern touches, suites are appointed with the latest comfort and refinement, with handpicked pieces that lend the illusion of a home away

from home for the business or leisure traveller.

The Armand Blaton Suite has just been awarded as “The best suite in Europe”. Located on the top floor of the hotel, it is the ideal place for private parties with its dining room, private kitchen, open fireplace, and an enormous terrace with breathtaking panoramic views over Brussels.

Enjoy a stay at the Rocco Forte’s Hotel Amigo, the place to be, while capturing the hotel’s personal character and charm.

Hotel Amigo rue de l’Amigo 1-3 1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel: +32 2 547 47 47 Fax:+32 2 513 52 77 reservations.amigo@roccofortehotels.com www.hotelamigo.com

Dining & Hospitality

The Best Hotel In Brussels The hotel has an intimate feel, is extremely comfortable, well located and stylish in its design.

Above Left: Figures of Hergé’s characters enliven the bathrooms’ walls with a touch of humour.

Above Right: The Amigo Roof

“High quality products offer infinitely better taste and appearance. My cooking is about enhancing the natural qualities of those products.”

Giuseppe Colella Executive Chef

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 with the aim of creating a collection of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles, reflecting its nationality and location. The collection is linked together under the Rocco Forte Hotels’ brand, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

attention to detail and a seemingly effortless attentiveness for every guest.

During a stay at the hotel enjoy the Ristorante Bocconi, a stylish, award winning Italian restaurant, offering delectable Italian and Mediterranean The Rocco Forte’s Hotel Amigo is ideally located in the heart cuisine. Awarded by Delta for of Brussels just next to the Grand-Place, one of the most beautiful “The best Italian cuisine in Brussels”, squares in Europe. Its fresh and stylish interiors, its stunning the Ristorante Bocconi is popular with restaurant and the superior service delivery are just some of the reasons to make the Hotel Amigo your home in the Capital of Europe. locals, guests and celebrities. Before or after dining at the Ristorante Bocconi, The hotel is surrounded by many bars and restaurants offering the Amigo Bar is the best place to meet the chance to sample some of the 400 beers for which Brussels for an aperitif, a cocktail or to enjoy an is famous. Belgian chocolate shops line the cobbled streets, as do impressive list of whiskies and cognacs. shops selling tapestries and lace.

The Hotel Amigo offers 155 bedrooms, 18 suites and one Royal suite. Some rooms have views through on the Grand-Place, whilst others look out over the churches and spires of the city. Goodsized bathrooms contain mosaic details in red or green and figures of Tintin. A fully equipped fitness centre, a private parking with valet service, wifi in public areas, non smoking floors, room service available 24 hours a day and a business centre will enhance your stay at the Hotel Amigo. Guest can benefit from 6 fully-equipped function rooms and a ball room for up to 200 people. The friendly staff offers efficient, intimate service 24 hours a day with careful

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Completely refurbished and decorated by Rocco Forte’s Director of Design Olga Polizzi, the hotel, which once served as the city prison, personifies the modern hybrid that is Brussels: the fusion of Old World charm with dazzling modern touches, suites are appointed with the latest comfort and refinement, with handpicked pieces that lend the illusion of a home away

from home for the business or leisure traveller.

The Armand Blaton Suite has just been awarded as “The best suite in Europe”. Located on the top floor of the hotel, it is the ideal place for private parties with its dining room, private kitchen, open fireplace, and an enormous terrace with breathtaking panoramic views over Brussels.

Enjoy a stay at the Rocco Forte’s Hotel Amigo, the place to be, while capturing the hotel’s personal character and charm.

Hotel Amigo rue de l’Amigo 1-3 1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel: +32 2 547 47 47 Fax:+32 2 513 52 77 reservations.amigo@roccofortehotels.com www.hotelamigo.com

Dining & Hospitality

The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel A sanctuary in the heart of the Capital of Europe

Havana cigars or single-malt whiskies.

Admirers of famous Belgian cartoons have always been attracted to the Bar Dessiné where they may select one of our bartenders’ renowned cocktails.

Truly the perfect place to start or end a memorable evening!

In the morning, guests can enjoy a relaxing Super Breakfast Buffet in the hotel’s latest addition, the PebbleWood Corner, with its 200m², semi-open kitchen and natural vibe. This unique venue can also be privatised for lunches or dinners.

Amidst the constant movement of the historical city of Brussels, where space rhymes with luxury, lies a five-star hotel, built around a spacious and airy eight-storey Atrium. The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel’s 281 Design rooms, suites and Business Class rooms, offer all the amenities expected of a first class hotel, spread over accommodations ranging between 280sq. ft. and 1399sq. ft.

(26m²-130m²).

It also offers residents free access to its high-speed broadband Internet network as well as the use of its truly professional John Harris Fitness Center and sauna, where the multi lingual staff will assist guests on their numerous cardiovascular machines and Cybex strength training circuit. Clients may also make an appointment for a relaxing massage or to use the solarium, all on the top floor of the hotel.

Main cities like Brugges, Ghent and Antwerp are short distances from the city center and Brussels’ International Airport, Zaventem, is just 13km away. The deluxe hotel is merely a 3-minute walk from Brussels’ Central Station, with its connections to the Eurostar and

With 19 fully equipped, state-ofthe-art function rooms, spread over 1.406m², the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel offers one of the most attractive conference facilities in the capital. It can accommodate for meetings of up to 300 persons, receptions and cocktails for up to 500 guests and also arrange outside catering for up to 3.000 people. The meeting rooms are mostly concentrated around the spacious Atrium, with boardrooms located on the 7th floor. It also provides WiFi Internet from anywhere on its premises, a Business Centre, customised menus, permanent and dedicated conference coordinators as well as loyalty programs.

Thalys terminals, and to main attractions such as the Grand’Place, the Manneken Pis and the Comic Strip Museum.

Wine and dine in our eye-catching Atrium restaurant where International & Belgian cuisine is served against a backdrop of beautiful garden scenery.

Our gourmet seafood restaurant, the Sea Grill dishes up excellent culinary creations that have already been highly ranked in most gastronomic French & International guides.

The Radisson SAS Meetings & Events training program for staff

Unique to Belgium, is the Sea Grill Lounge’s walk-in humidor that was specially designed to retain cigars in pristine condition. Guests may also choose from the Sea Grill Lounge’s or the Bar Dessiné’s wide range of

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members is developed in exclusive cooperation with MPI and our 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee ensures not only the smooth operation of your event but equally the success of it.

Our concierge will be happy to help arrange for tickets, tours, car rental and so forth. The hotel provides a valet & porter service, a luggage store and 24hour room service as well as babysitting upon request. It insures guests a pleasant stay by providing them with the 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee and the One-Touch Service, which allows the client to call upon any facility that the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel provides, at any time of day. Always ahead of clients’ needs, the hotel has put into place a 3-hour express laundry service and express checkout service as well as the possibility for early birds to have Grab & Run Breakfast before they leave.

Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 47 B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel.: +32 (0)2 219 28 28 Fax: +32 (0)2 219 62 62 E-mail: info.brussels@radissonsas.com Website: www.royal.brussels.radissonsas.com

Dining & Hospitality

The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel A sanctuary in the heart of the Capital of Europe

Havana cigars or single-malt whiskies.

Admirers of famous Belgian cartoons have always been attracted to the Bar Dessiné where they may select one of our bartenders’ renowned cocktails.

Truly the perfect place to start or end a memorable evening!

In the morning, guests can enjoy a relaxing Super Breakfast Buffet in the hotel’s latest addition, the PebbleWood Corner, with its 200m², semi-open kitchen and natural vibe. This unique venue can also be privatised for lunches or dinners.

Amidst the constant movement of the historical city of Brussels, where space rhymes with luxury, lies a five-star hotel, built around a spacious and airy eight-storey Atrium. The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel’s 281 Design rooms, suites and Business Class rooms, offer all the amenities expected of a first class hotel, spread over accommodations ranging between 280sq. ft. and 1399sq. ft.

(26m²-130m²).

It also offers residents free access to its high-speed broadband Internet network as well as the use of its truly professional John Harris Fitness Center and sauna, where the multi lingual staff will assist guests on their numerous cardiovascular machines and Cybex strength training circuit. Clients may also make an appointment for a relaxing massage or to use the solarium, all on the top floor of the hotel.

Main cities like Brugges, Ghent and Antwerp are short distances from the city center and Brussels’ International Airport, Zaventem, is just 13km away. The deluxe hotel is merely a 3-minute walk from Brussels’ Central Station, with its connections to the Eurostar and

With 19 fully equipped, state-ofthe-art function rooms, spread over 1.406m², the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel offers one of the most attractive conference facilities in the capital. It can accommodate for meetings of up to 300 persons, receptions and cocktails for up to 500 guests and also arrange outside catering for up to 3.000 people. The meeting rooms are mostly concentrated around the spacious Atrium, with boardrooms located on the 7th floor. It also provides WiFi Internet from anywhere on its premises, a Business Centre, customised menus, permanent and dedicated conference coordinators as well as loyalty programs.

Thalys terminals, and to main attractions such as the Grand’Place, the Manneken Pis and the Comic Strip Museum.

Wine and dine in our eye-catching Atrium restaurant where International & Belgian cuisine is served against a backdrop of beautiful garden scenery.

Our gourmet seafood restaurant, the Sea Grill dishes up excellent culinary creations that have already been highly ranked in most gastronomic French & International guides.

The Radisson SAS Meetings & Events training program for staff

Unique to Belgium, is the Sea Grill Lounge’s walk-in humidor that was specially designed to retain cigars in pristine condition. Guests may also choose from the Sea Grill Lounge’s or the Bar Dessiné’s wide range of

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members is developed in exclusive cooperation with MPI and our 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee ensures not only the smooth operation of your event but equally the success of it.

Our concierge will be happy to help arrange for tickets, tours, car rental and so forth. The hotel provides a valet & porter service, a luggage store and 24hour room service as well as babysitting upon request. It insures guests a pleasant stay by providing them with the 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee and the One-Touch Service, which allows the client to call upon any facility that the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel provides, at any time of day. Always ahead of clients’ needs, the hotel has put into place a 3-hour express laundry service and express checkout service as well as the possibility for early birds to have Grab & Run Breakfast before they leave.

Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 47 B-1000 Brussels Belgium Tel.: +32 (0)2 219 28 28 Fax: +32 (0)2 219 62 62 E-mail: info.brussels@radissonsas.com Website: www.royal.brussels.radissonsas.com

Dining & Hospitality

Hotel Metropole Tailor Made for you since 1895 The “Place De Brouckère” is the awe-inspiring central point of the great avenues of Brussels and thus the most impressive buildings may be found here.

The Hotel Metropole is the “icing on the cake”. In this Luxury Palace, everyone is made to feel like Royalty, if only for a moment.

Opened in 1895 the Hotel Metropole celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2005.

The only remaining hotel of the 19th century in Brussels is conspicuous by the quality of its service and its internal decor. In fact, the main entrance has been decorated in French renaissance style, the reception hall in Empire style and most of the rooms in Art Deco style and in Louis XVI style.

In April 2002, the Council of Monuments and Sites of the Region of Brussels-Capital has protected the Métropole Hotel’s façade as well as the ground floor.

The Metropole Hotel is marvelously well located right in the historical centre of the European capital, just a few steps away from such historical monuments as the “Grand-Place”, the “Bourse” and the “Theatre de la Monnaie”.

Close to the city’s most exciting shopping thoroughfare of Brussels, it features an elegant bar “ Le 19ième “, a gastronomic restaurant “L’Alban Chambon”, Room Service 24 hours a day, 22 venue rooms for receptions, banquets, meetings and seminars accommodating up to 500 guests (including the Metropole Executive Center – M.E.C. with a lounge and relaxing area), a breakfast room “Le Jardin Indien” (for up to 180 people) and 298 beautifully appointed rooms, including 15 spacious suites, containing original pieces of art and furniture.

Prestige & Smartness Famous and loved for its entrance hall walked

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upon by celebrities, its huge reception desk highly shooted by film makers, Hotel Metropole is undoubtedly the master of the tradition. If you enjoy being surrounded by marble of Numidia, polished teak, gilded bronze, forged iron ValSaint-Lambert crystal that refuses to lose time, make time for the Hotel Metropole…as well as in the mythical bar where the spirits of people like Sarah Bernhardt and Arthur Rubinstein linger nostalgically.

From its beginning in 1895 to the present day, Hotel Metropole has been welcoming royalty,

stars and personalities from the worlds of movie, music, business and politics, because of the quality of its service, creative cuisine and grand surroundings.

Hotel Metropole 31, place de Brouckère B – 1000 Brussels (Belgium) Tel. : +32-2-217 23 00 Fax : +32-2-218 02 20 E-mail : info@metropolehotel.be www.metropolehotel.com

Dining & Hospitality

Hotel Metropole Tailor Made for you since 1895 The “Place De Brouckère” is the awe-inspiring central point of the great avenues of Brussels and thus the most impressive buildings may be found here.

The Hotel Metropole is the “icing on the cake”. In this Luxury Palace, everyone is made to feel like Royalty, if only for a moment.

Opened in 1895 the Hotel Metropole celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2005.

The only remaining hotel of the 19th century in Brussels is conspicuous by the quality of its service and its internal decor. In fact, the main entrance has been decorated in French renaissance style, the reception hall in Empire style and most of the rooms in Art Deco style and in Louis XVI style.

In April 2002, the Council of Monuments and Sites of the Region of Brussels-Capital has protected the Métropole Hotel’s façade as well as the ground floor.

The Metropole Hotel is marvelously well located right in the historical centre of the European capital, just a few steps away from such historical monuments as the “Grand-Place”, the “Bourse” and the “Theatre de la Monnaie”.

Close to the city’s most exciting shopping thoroughfare of Brussels, it features an elegant bar “ Le 19ième “, a gastronomic restaurant “L’Alban Chambon”, Room Service 24 hours a day, 22 venue rooms for receptions, banquets, meetings and seminars accommodating up to 500 guests (including the Metropole Executive Center – M.E.C. with a lounge and relaxing area), a breakfast room “Le Jardin Indien” (for up to 180 people) and 298 beautifully appointed rooms, including 15 spacious suites, containing original pieces of art and furniture.

Prestige & Smartness Famous and loved for its entrance hall walked

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upon by celebrities, its huge reception desk highly shooted by film makers, Hotel Metropole is undoubtedly the master of the tradition. If you enjoy being surrounded by marble of Numidia, polished teak, gilded bronze, forged iron ValSaint-Lambert crystal that refuses to lose time, make time for the Hotel Metropole…as well as in the mythical bar where the spirits of people like Sarah Bernhardt and Arthur Rubinstein linger nostalgically.

From its beginning in 1895 to the present day, Hotel Metropole has been welcoming royalty,

stars and personalities from the worlds of movie, music, business and politics, because of the quality of its service, creative cuisine and grand surroundings.

Hotel Metropole 31, place de Brouckère B – 1000 Brussels (Belgium) Tel. : +32-2-217 23 00 Fax : +32-2-218 02 20 E-mail : info@metropolehotel.be www.metropolehotel.com

Dining & Hospitality

The Stanhope Hotel

breakouts, a tearoom-also available for private lunch and dinner-and the expansive Balmoral room. This room can be divided into three smaller rooms, which makes it ideal venue for gala dinners, weddings, cocktails, etc.

The Stanhope is not only an oasis of peace, luxury and class, but at the same time a gastronomic revelation! It is one of Brussels well hidden secrets.

A sanctuary of style and service, the Stanhope became the very first five-star hotel in Brussels when it opened in 1991. A world-class retreat in a century-old residence with English country-style sensibilities, the Stanhope features such classically elegant amenities as four-poster and canopied beds.

Located in the Heart of the European District, the hotel offers an ideal situation for both business and leisure guests. Within walking distance the guest can find some of the main tourist attractions in Brussels like the Royal Palace, the historical Grand Place and the Sablon Square with the antique shops. The hotel is also nearby Avenue

The Brighton restaurant is adorned with a portrait of King George IV, the British monarch who transformed the Brighton Pavilion into a fairy tale oriental palace at the beginning of the 19th Century. The walls of the restaurant are embellished with frescos of figures in Chinese apparel; of which the hand painted originals are in the banqueting room of that same palace.

Louise, famous for its elegant shops and numerous restaurants.

Having completed a major renovation in 2003, this boutique property now has a new wing facing Square de Meeûs (The House of Ambassadors).

Home to 13 guest accommodations, including an elegant Royal Suite and two boardrooms, the entire wing can be rented on an exclusive basis. Overall, the renovation has produced 108 amenity-filled accommodations.

The Brighton serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is quoted amongst the best 3 red forks of the “Guide Michelin” and 1 toque in the “Gault & Millau” culinary guides.

The hotel also disposes of 9 conference rooms including a brilliant collection of boardrooms and

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of gastronomic restaurants in Brussels and elsewhere, the Chef Gérard Souillat has settled down at the Brighton to share his “savoir-faire” with everyone who appreciates fine dining. He offers a French style cuisine with a contemporary touch. With simplicity and refinement ha has managed to create a varied and seasonal menu in order to satisfy all the desires of the guests. When the weather allows, lunch and dinner can be also served in the interior garden, in the shadow of a hundred years old magnolia tree.

The cosy atmosphere of the “Library Bar” offers the perfect place for an aperitif or an after-dinner cognac in front of the crackling fireplace.

Health-conscious guests will appreciate the on-site health club, including a gym, sauna and solarium.

Stanhope Hotel Rue de Commerce 9 1000 Brussels, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 506 91 11 Fax: +32 2 512 17 08 info@stanhope.be

Dining & Hospitality

The Stanhope Hotel

breakouts, a tearoom-also available for private lunch and dinner-and the expansive Balmoral room. This room can be divided into three smaller rooms, which makes it ideal venue for gala dinners, weddings, cocktails, etc.

The Stanhope is not only an oasis of peace, luxury and class, but at the same time a gastronomic revelation! It is one of Brussels well hidden secrets.

A sanctuary of style and service, the Stanhope became the very first five-star hotel in Brussels when it opened in 1991. A world-class retreat in a century-old residence with English country-style sensibilities, the Stanhope features such classically elegant amenities as four-poster and canopied beds.

Located in the Heart of the European District, the hotel offers an ideal situation for both business and leisure guests. Within walking distance the guest can find some of the main tourist attractions in Brussels like the Royal Palace, the historical Grand Place and the Sablon Square with the antique shops. The hotel is also nearby Avenue

The Brighton restaurant is adorned with a portrait of King George IV, the British monarch who transformed the Brighton Pavilion into a fairy tale oriental palace at the beginning of the 19th Century. The walls of the restaurant are embellished with frescos of figures in Chinese apparel; of which the hand painted originals are in the banqueting room of that same palace.

Louise, famous for its elegant shops and numerous restaurants.

Having completed a major renovation in 2003, this boutique property now has a new wing facing Square de Meeûs (The House of Ambassadors).

Home to 13 guest accommodations, including an elegant Royal Suite and two boardrooms, the entire wing can be rented on an exclusive basis. Overall, the renovation has produced 108 amenity-filled accommodations.

The Brighton serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is quoted amongst the best 3 red forks of the “Guide Michelin” and 1 toque in the “Gault & Millau” culinary guides.

The hotel also disposes of 9 conference rooms including a brilliant collection of boardrooms and

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After a journey through all different kinds

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of gastronomic restaurants in Brussels and elsewhere, the Chef Gérard Souillat has settled down at the Brighton to share his “savoir-faire” with everyone who appreciates fine dining. He offers a French style cuisine with a contemporary touch. With simplicity and refinement ha has managed to create a varied and seasonal menu in order to satisfy all the desires of the guests. When the weather allows, lunch and dinner can be also served in the interior garden, in the shadow of a hundred years old magnolia tree.

The cosy atmosphere of the “Library Bar” offers the perfect place for an aperitif or an after-dinner cognac in front of the crackling fireplace.

Health-conscious guests will appreciate the on-site health club, including a gym, sauna and solarium.

Stanhope Hotel Rue de Commerce 9 1000 Brussels, Belgium Telephone: +32 2 506 91 11 Fax: +32 2 512 17 08 info@stanhope.be

Dining & Hospitality

Welcome to the world of ‘Le Châtelain’, “The Belgian Art of Hospitality”…

Welcome to the unexplored world of Belgian charm and hospitality.

“Le Châtelain” at a glance… the world of difference you may expect if you choose to stay in our property.

Le Châtelain All Suite Hotel strikes the perfect balance between gracious hospitality, exceptional comfort and State-of-the-Art technology. We offer a full range of technological facilities whilst remaining old-fashioned in one respect: we still cling steadfastly to traditional ideas of hospitality: personal care for every guest.

Le Châtelain All Suite Hotel wishes to play a leading role in setting the standard of an unrivalled guest service commitment. We aim to be a hotel that successfully blends leading-edge technologies with personalized care for every guest.

We wish to perpetuate a uniquely Belgian character that will set the note for your delightful stay in Brussels. We trust that we can be your true “home away from home” in the capital of Europe.

These guiding principles represent the core values of our personality and spirit that started Le Châtelain in 1998 and define its hallmarks today: an uncompromising commitment to superlative quality and comfort, personalized guest service at legendary levels, unequalled security and State-of-the-Art technology.

We make these words come true, every moment of your memorable Brussels nights and days.

Entering “Le Châtelain” means forgetting about feeling like a transient traveller renting a room, because we do believe that a great hotel should offer much more than a good night’s sleep.

Our 108 ample and fully soundproofed guest rooms and splendid suites have been specially designed and abundantly equipped so as to meet and even surpass your highest expectations of comfort, privacy and security. All are luxuriously spacious, with vast and richly appointed bathrooms, elegantly furnished and endowed with the most innovative conveniences and upscale amenities such as modem and PC connections, ISDN-line, individually controlled air-conditioning and leadingedge security systems.

Arriving in “Le Châtelain” is coming home away from home, being surrounded by undivided attention. We hold true to this promise every time we meet and exceed the unique needs of our guests.

We demonstrate it by listening so well that we can mostly anticipate requests, not just answer them. We prove it everyday, because we genuinely care.

Offering you unequalled comfort in business and in leisure is our primary goal. Your perfect peace of mind and your complete satisfaction with the

Your well-being and your security is our first responsibility. We made it our highest priority.

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Belgian Art of Hospitality are our highest priorities.

The excellent location of our hotel, the varied range of choices in sophisticated dining and leisure, an enchanting garden and a superbly equipped top floor Health and Fitness Center further contribute to the unparalleled charm of your Brussels “home suite home”. We truly look forward to welcoming you soon.

LE CHATELAIN ALL SUITE HOTEL 17 rue du Châtelain 1000 Brussels – Belgium Tel.: +32 (0)2 646 00 55 Fax: +32 (0)2 646 00 88 info@le-chatelain.net www.le-chatelain.net

Dining & Hospitality

Welcome to the world of ‘Le Châtelain’, “The Belgian Art of Hospitality”…

Welcome to the unexplored world of Belgian charm and hospitality.

“Le Châtelain” at a glance… the world of difference you may expect if you choose to stay in our property.

Le Châtelain All Suite Hotel strikes the perfect balance between gracious hospitality, exceptional comfort and State-of-the-Art technology. We offer a full range of technological facilities whilst remaining old-fashioned in one respect: we still cling steadfastly to traditional ideas of hospitality: personal care for every guest.

Le Châtelain All Suite Hotel wishes to play a leading role in setting the standard of an unrivalled guest service commitment. We aim to be a hotel that successfully blends leading-edge technologies with personalized care for every guest.

We wish to perpetuate a uniquely Belgian character that will set the note for your delightful stay in Brussels. We trust that we can be your true “home away from home” in the capital of Europe.

These guiding principles represent the core values of our personality and spirit that started Le Châtelain in 1998 and define its hallmarks today: an uncompromising commitment to superlative quality and comfort, personalized guest service at legendary levels, unequalled security and State-of-the-Art technology.

We make these words come true, every moment of your memorable Brussels nights and days.

Entering “Le Châtelain” means forgetting about feeling like a transient traveller renting a room, because we do believe that a great hotel should offer much more than a good night’s sleep.

Our 108 ample and fully soundproofed guest rooms and splendid suites have been specially designed and abundantly equipped so as to meet and even surpass your highest expectations of comfort, privacy and security. All are luxuriously spacious, with vast and richly appointed bathrooms, elegantly furnished and endowed with the most innovative conveniences and upscale amenities such as modem and PC connections, ISDN-line, individually controlled air-conditioning and leadingedge security systems.

Arriving in “Le Châtelain” is coming home away from home, being surrounded by undivided attention. We hold true to this promise every time we meet and exceed the unique needs of our guests.

We demonstrate it by listening so well that we can mostly anticipate requests, not just answer them. We prove it everyday, because we genuinely care.

Offering you unequalled comfort in business and in leisure is our primary goal. Your perfect peace of mind and your complete satisfaction with the

Your well-being and your security is our first responsibility. We made it our highest priority.

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Belgian Art of Hospitality are our highest priorities.

The excellent location of our hotel, the varied range of choices in sophisticated dining and leisure, an enchanting garden and a superbly equipped top floor Health and Fitness Center further contribute to the unparalleled charm of your Brussels “home suite home”. We truly look forward to welcoming you soon.

LE CHATELAIN ALL SUITE HOTEL 17 rue du Châtelain 1000 Brussels – Belgium Tel.: +32 (0)2 646 00 55 Fax: +32 (0)2 646 00 88 info@le-chatelain.net www.le-chatelain.net

Dining & Hospitality

Brussels Marriott Hotel With 4 properties in Brussels, Marriott International has a full-service hotel wherever you need to be for your next visit or meeting in Europe’s capital.

Cherished for its casual sophistication and quirky blend of architecture, trendy cafes and famed historic sites, Brussels is one of the most unusual cities in Europe. Equally unique is the 218 room Brussels Marriott Hotel, ideally located in the city centre just across from the Bourse and only a stone throw away from the Grand’ Place.

When an occasion calls for an exceptional setting, the 6,780 square feet of function space is among the finest of hotels in Brussels, with an expert event staff to handle your every need.

Vibrantly appointed guest rooms feature the plush new Marriott bed with down comforters, designer duvets and fluffier pillows to cradle you each night. The large work desk and high-speed Internet keep you connected.

For dining, the new Midtown Grill restaurant serves tender giant steaks, fresh seafood and fish, refined salads and dressings, and crazy cocktails.

Its wooden and carpet floor combined with warm painted walls give the

Midtown Grill its incredible atmosphere. “The top address in the city for the greatest steaks, chops and seafood” – that is the ambitious culinary slogan of the Midtown Grill. The Chef sets the American-style cuisine when it comes to appetizers, such as “Caesar Salad” (Romaine lettuce with parmesan and croutons) but also new generation food such as “Downtown Dublin Bay Prawns Martini” (Dublin Bay prawns with chunky tomato-avocado salsa and zucchini caviar served in a martini glass).

Highlights include the 700gr Rib eye steak and the 400gr Eye bone steak.

The Midtown Grill serves not only great steaks but also Veal Chops, Pork Chops, Free Range Chicken, Rack of Lamb, Tuna Steak, Salmon Steak, and Lobster. The Midtown grill also offers you a private room, ideal for events such as lunches, meetings, wine-tasting and any other special occasion you would like to celebrate. This brand-new restaurant combines fun, good wines, and delicious food in open show kitchen!

Upon your stay in the 100% smoke-free Brussels Marriott hotel, you will certainly want to explore the European capital. Brussels is a captivating city, steeped in a rich, diverse culture that has been evolving for more than 1,000 years. With its French and Flemish influences, famed institutions, museums and architectural marvels, it offers vast international appeal. Your visit can begin as soon as you step into your room, since the building in which you are staying is full of history, the history of a neighbourhood which has been considerably modified over the last two centuries.

Did you know that, not so long ago, you could have gazed upon a river by your window? Do you know the legend of Saint Ghislain, who is keeping a watchful eye on you? Can you imagine that the place where you have breakfast was formerly a meeting place for fishermen? Come to the Marriott Brussels Hotel to discover all its history, and the beautiful city it stands in.

Set where an island once stood in a flowing river, this grand Brussels hotel helps YOU create historical moments!

Brussels Marriott Hotel Rue. A. Orts 3-7, Grand’Place 1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone: 0032 2 516 90 90 Fax: 0032 2 516 90 00 email: mhrs.brussels@marriotthotels.com website: www.marriottbrussels.com

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Dining & Hospitality

Brussels Marriott Hotel With 4 properties in Brussels, Marriott International has a full-service hotel wherever you need to be for your next visit or meeting in Europe’s capital.

Cherished for its casual sophistication and quirky blend of architecture, trendy cafes and famed historic sites, Brussels is one of the most unusual cities in Europe. Equally unique is the 218 room Brussels Marriott Hotel, ideally located in the city centre just across from the Bourse and only a stone throw away from the Grand’ Place.

When an occasion calls for an exceptional setting, the 6,780 square feet of function space is among the finest of hotels in Brussels, with an expert event staff to handle your every need.

Vibrantly appointed guest rooms feature the plush new Marriott bed with down comforters, designer duvets and fluffier pillows to cradle you each night. The large work desk and high-speed Internet keep you connected.

For dining, the new Midtown Grill restaurant serves tender giant steaks, fresh seafood and fish, refined salads and dressings, and crazy cocktails.

Its wooden and carpet floor combined with warm painted walls give the

Midtown Grill its incredible atmosphere. “The top address in the city for the greatest steaks, chops and seafood” – that is the ambitious culinary slogan of the Midtown Grill. The Chef sets the American-style cuisine when it comes to appetizers, such as “Caesar Salad” (Romaine lettuce with parmesan and croutons) but also new generation food such as “Downtown Dublin Bay Prawns Martini” (Dublin Bay prawns with chunky tomato-avocado salsa and zucchini caviar served in a martini glass).

Highlights include the 700gr Rib eye steak and the 400gr Eye bone steak.

The Midtown Grill serves not only great steaks but also Veal Chops, Pork Chops, Free Range Chicken, Rack of Lamb, Tuna Steak, Salmon Steak, and Lobster. The Midtown grill also offers you a private room, ideal for events such as lunches, meetings, wine-tasting and any other special occasion you would like to celebrate. This brand-new restaurant combines fun, good wines, and delicious food in open show kitchen!

Upon your stay in the 100% smoke-free Brussels Marriott hotel, you will certainly want to explore the European capital. Brussels is a captivating city, steeped in a rich, diverse culture that has been evolving for more than 1,000 years. With its French and Flemish influences, famed institutions, museums and architectural marvels, it offers vast international appeal. Your visit can begin as soon as you step into your room, since the building in which you are staying is full of history, the history of a neighbourhood which has been considerably modified over the last two centuries.

Did you know that, not so long ago, you could have gazed upon a river by your window? Do you know the legend of Saint Ghislain, who is keeping a watchful eye on you? Can you imagine that the place where you have breakfast was formerly a meeting place for fishermen? Come to the Marriott Brussels Hotel to discover all its history, and the beautiful city it stands in.

Set where an island once stood in a flowing river, this grand Brussels hotel helps YOU create historical moments!

Brussels Marriott Hotel Rue. A. Orts 3-7, Grand’Place 1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone: 0032 2 516 90 90 Fax: 0032 2 516 90 00 email: mhrs.brussels@marriotthotels.com website: www.marriottbrussels.com

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Dining & Hospitality

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel ‘Where Europe Meets!’

and cable TV, radio, hair-dryer, iron and ironing board, coffee and tea facilities, safe and minibar. Room service is available 24 hours a day and dry cleaning 7 days a week. The beds have a new, more luxurious look and feel with softer sheets, plusher mattresses, stylish duvets, more pillows, and a new fresh, white look. They will surely allow for a more memorable and comfortable stay.

Situated in the European Quarter across from the European Parliament and just 14 kilometers from Brussels National Airport, the Renaissance Brussels Hotel is ideally located, at 200 meters from the Luxembourg station and at a walking distance from the city center.

Blending extraordinary style with a penchant for savvy service, the stylish guest rooms surround you in comforts like the new Renaissance bed, with its custom duvets,

clouds of pillows and luxury linens.

The 262 luxuriously furnished guest rooms include 74 Club Level rooms, 12 Business rooms, 6 Junior Suites, 5 Executive Suites and a Presidential Suite. All rooms are nonsmoking, airconditioned, and feature direct-dial phone, voice mail, high speed internet, satellite

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For those seeking the ultimate retreat, there’s a Club Floor with Club Level Lounge. Treat yourself to a Club Level Room and enjoy the amenities of the Club Level Lounge, such as a healthy start breakfast, hot and cold hors d’oeuvre, soft drinks, wines and beers, free minibar and High Speed Internet access in the room. Located on the first floor, the Club Level Lounge welcomes you from Sunday evening until Friday morning.

As one of the overnight guests, you benefit from free access to the exclusive “World Class Health Academy”. The World Class Health Academy offers 2000 square meters devoted to fitness including a heated indoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi-whirlpool, sauna and steam room, solarium, gym, weights & cardio, spinning

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classes and health & beauty therapy (Institut Guinot). Its wide range of programs, services and equipment, provide a total solution for your individual health and fitness needs. Its international staff have considerable fitness expertise and will guide you through an array of aerobic and gymnasium workouts.

The brasserie “Au Bon Coin” has already earned its reputation for culinary excellence, serving a mixture of inventive French and Belgian dishes in a relaxed and authentic setting. Join us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the heart of the European Quarter! Order your favorite cocktail at the bar while recovering from a busy day.

When you’re looking for a 5-star Brussels hotel for an event or meeting, the Renaissance Brussels Hotel offers 634 square meters of flexible space, with an astute staff to handle every detail. It offers elegant, contemporary meeting and banquet facilities for up to 600 persons. Ten meeting rooms feature natural daylight, air conditioning, and provide ideal conditions for successful meetings and conferences.

High speed wired and wireless internet is available in all meeting rooms.

The Event Management Team is specialized in meetings and in exceeding all your requests. With the full support of the dedicated onproperty AV Responsible, your event is a guaranteed success.

When an extended stay is called for, the “Marriott Executive Apartments” right next door offers the luxury of a 5-star hotel with the comforts of home.

57 Fully furnished and spacious one and two-bedroom apartments are available with helpful services including 24-hour room service, housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning. As a guest of the Apartments, you can enjoy the facilities of the Renaissance Hotel right next door, including the World Class Health Academy with fitness equipment and pool.

The meeting professionals approach every event - large or small - with a dedicated focus, providing you with the comfort-level you deserve. The fully equipped Business Centre with telephone, fax machines, internet access, photocopier and laptop connection is also at your disposal.

When looking for a restaurant, why go further when the best choice is on the corner at “Au Bon Coin”?

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel, ‘Where Europe Meets!’

Renaissance Brussels Hotel Rue du Parnasse 19, B-1050 Brussels Phone +32-2 505 29 29 Fax +32-2 505 25 55 E-mail: renaissance.brussels@ renaissancehotels.com Website: www.renaissancebrussels.com

Dining & Hospitality

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel ‘Where Europe Meets!’

and cable TV, radio, hair-dryer, iron and ironing board, coffee and tea facilities, safe and minibar. Room service is available 24 hours a day and dry cleaning 7 days a week. The beds have a new, more luxurious look and feel with softer sheets, plusher mattresses, stylish duvets, more pillows, and a new fresh, white look. They will surely allow for a more memorable and comfortable stay.

Situated in the European Quarter across from the European Parliament and just 14 kilometers from Brussels National Airport, the Renaissance Brussels Hotel is ideally located, at 200 meters from the Luxembourg station and at a walking distance from the city center.

Blending extraordinary style with a penchant for savvy service, the stylish guest rooms surround you in comforts like the new Renaissance bed, with its custom duvets,

clouds of pillows and luxury linens.

The 262 luxuriously furnished guest rooms include 74 Club Level rooms, 12 Business rooms, 6 Junior Suites, 5 Executive Suites and a Presidential Suite. All rooms are nonsmoking, airconditioned, and feature direct-dial phone, voice mail, high speed internet, satellite

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For those seeking the ultimate retreat, there’s a Club Floor with Club Level Lounge. Treat yourself to a Club Level Room and enjoy the amenities of the Club Level Lounge, such as a healthy start breakfast, hot and cold hors d’oeuvre, soft drinks, wines and beers, free minibar and High Speed Internet access in the room. Located on the first floor, the Club Level Lounge welcomes you from Sunday evening until Friday morning.

As one of the overnight guests, you benefit from free access to the exclusive “World Class Health Academy”. The World Class Health Academy offers 2000 square meters devoted to fitness including a heated indoor swimming pool, a Jacuzzi-whirlpool, sauna and steam room, solarium, gym, weights & cardio, spinning

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classes and health & beauty therapy (Institut Guinot). Its wide range of programs, services and equipment, provide a total solution for your individual health and fitness needs. Its international staff have considerable fitness expertise and will guide you through an array of aerobic and gymnasium workouts.

The brasserie “Au Bon Coin” has already earned its reputation for culinary excellence, serving a mixture of inventive French and Belgian dishes in a relaxed and authentic setting. Join us for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the heart of the European Quarter! Order your favorite cocktail at the bar while recovering from a busy day.

When you’re looking for a 5-star Brussels hotel for an event or meeting, the Renaissance Brussels Hotel offers 634 square meters of flexible space, with an astute staff to handle every detail. It offers elegant, contemporary meeting and banquet facilities for up to 600 persons. Ten meeting rooms feature natural daylight, air conditioning, and provide ideal conditions for successful meetings and conferences.

High speed wired and wireless internet is available in all meeting rooms.

The Event Management Team is specialized in meetings and in exceeding all your requests. With the full support of the dedicated onproperty AV Responsible, your event is a guaranteed success.

When an extended stay is called for, the “Marriott Executive Apartments” right next door offers the luxury of a 5-star hotel with the comforts of home.

57 Fully furnished and spacious one and two-bedroom apartments are available with helpful services including 24-hour room service, housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning. As a guest of the Apartments, you can enjoy the facilities of the Renaissance Hotel right next door, including the World Class Health Academy with fitness equipment and pool.

The meeting professionals approach every event - large or small - with a dedicated focus, providing you with the comfort-level you deserve. The fully equipped Business Centre with telephone, fax machines, internet access, photocopier and laptop connection is also at your disposal.

When looking for a restaurant, why go further when the best choice is on the corner at “Au Bon Coin”?

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel, ‘Where Europe Meets!’

Renaissance Brussels Hotel Rue du Parnasse 19, B-1050 Brussels Phone +32-2 505 29 29 Fax +32-2 505 25 55 E-mail: renaissance.brussels@ renaissancehotels.com Website: www.renaissancebrussels.com

Dining & Hospitality

Courtyard

by Marriott Brussels Hotel

Brussels, the capital of Europe, is a stunning destination for business travel.

The Courtyard by Marriott Brussels Hotel, one of the finest business hotels in Brussels, is perfectly located in Upper Town near Brussels’ main business parks, minutes from the airport and downtown. NATO headquarters, Toyota Europe, 3M, ExxonMobil and several other corporations are within 1 mile of the hotel.

Connect with your Senses!

With a total of 191 spacious rooms and 13 meeting rooms, this entirely smokefree hotel has a lot to offer. As you step into the warm, sophisticated lobby, the knowledgeable personnel are at your service. The modern business center features computers and a printer to enable you to have a productive stay. Wireless highspeed Internet is available in all public areas and its 13 meeting rooms. All meeting rooms have natural light and a total flexible meeting space of 811 square meters.

The largest meeting room, Athens (A, B), has a maximum meeting space of 245 square meters and maximum seating capacity of 275 people. This large amount of flexible space makes the Courtyard by Marriott in Brussels the perfect location for private functions, celebrations, reunions, or business meetings.

Your guest room, stylishly furnished and bathed in natural light, offers a work desk with wired high-speed Internet, two-line phone and voice mail. The new luxury bedding with fresh colours is designed for your comfort and enhances your stay along with satellite TV, mini-fridge and laptop-sized safe.

The Courtyard by Marriott Brussels Hotel has a small shop called ‘The Market’, where you can purchase items that you can in turn store in the convenient minifridge in your room.

The Zinc Bar & Brasserie, combining both a lounge atmosphere and an exotic beach feeling, is the perfect setting for a relaxing meal or drink. Both the Brasserie and the Bar are decorated in a vibrant mix of warm colours and plants designed to put you at ease. The Zinc Brasserie serves a variety of Belgian and French dishes with a modern twist. The wine list aims to offer a broad selection of wines to accompany the diverse dishes on the menu. During the week, the Chef proposes an attractive business lunch buffet suited for the busy corporate traveller. Right next to the restaurant, a private room called the ‘Zinc Privé’ is available for groups of up to 80 people wishing to have the comforts and the privacy of home with the competent staff taking care of the details.

The Zinc Bar specialises in Martini cocktails, and offers 14 different variations, including several cocktails with chocolate themes (mint, orange, banana, and toffee). In summer the bar opens up its terrace for those looking to take advantage of the sun. There are 115 free outdoor parking spaces available just across from the bar and restaurant, and an additional 80 spaces underground.

Keep stress at bay in the 24-hour fitness center with sauna as you enjoy a productive stay in Belgium’s premier city at the 4-star Brussels hotel near NATO. Courtyard by Marriott Brussels, Connect with your Senses!

Courtyard by Marriott Brussels Hotel Avenue des Olympiades 6 - 1140 Brussels, Belgium Phone: 0032 2 337 08 08 - Fax: 0032 2 337 08 00 Email: courtyard.brussels@courtyard.com - www.courtyardbrussels.com

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Best of Belgium

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Dining & Hospitality

Courtyard

by Marriott Brussels Hotel

Brussels, the capital of Europe, is a stunning destination for business travel.

The Courtyard by Marriott Brussels Hotel, one of the finest business hotels in Brussels, is perfectly located in Upper Town near Brussels’ main business parks, minutes from the airport and downtown. NATO headquarters, Toyota Europe, 3M, ExxonMobil and several other corporations are within 1 mile of the hotel.

Connect with your Senses!

With a total of 191 spacious rooms and 13 meeting rooms, this entirely smokefree hotel has a lot to offer. As you step into the warm, sophisticated lobby, the knowledgeable personnel are at your service. The modern business center features computers and a printer to enable you to have a productive stay. Wireless highspeed Internet is available in all public areas and its 13 meeting rooms. All meeting rooms have natural light and a total flexible meeting space of 811 square meters.

The largest meeting room, Athens (A, B), has a maximum meeting space of 245 square meters and maximum seating capacity of 275 people. This large amount of flexible space makes the Courtyard by Marriott in Brussels the perfect location for private functions, celebrations, reunions, or business meetings.

Your guest room, stylishly furnished and bathed in natural light, offers a work desk with wired high-speed Internet, two-line phone and voice mail. The new luxury bedding with fresh colours is designed for your comfort and enhances your stay along with satellite TV, mini-fridge and laptop-sized safe.

The Courtyard by Marriott Brussels Hotel has a small shop called ‘The Market’, where you can purchase items that you can in turn store in the convenient minifridge in your room.

The Zinc Bar & Brasserie, combining both a lounge atmosphere and an exotic beach feeling, is the perfect setting for a relaxing meal or drink. Both the Brasserie and the Bar are decorated in a vibrant mix of warm colours and plants designed to put you at ease. The Zinc Brasserie serves a variety of Belgian and French dishes with a modern twist. The wine list aims to offer a broad selection of wines to accompany the diverse dishes on the menu. During the week, the Chef proposes an attractive business lunch buffet suited for the busy corporate traveller. Right next to the restaurant, a private room called the ‘Zinc Privé’ is available for groups of up to 80 people wishing to have the comforts and the privacy of home with the competent staff taking care of the details.

The Zinc Bar specialises in Martini cocktails, and offers 14 different variations, including several cocktails with chocolate themes (mint, orange, banana, and toffee). In summer the bar opens up its terrace for those looking to take advantage of the sun. There are 115 free outdoor parking spaces available just across from the bar and restaurant, and an additional 80 spaces underground.

Keep stress at bay in the 24-hour fitness center with sauna as you enjoy a productive stay in Belgium’s premier city at the 4-star Brussels hotel near NATO. Courtyard by Marriott Brussels, Connect with your Senses!

Courtyard by Marriott Brussels Hotel Avenue des Olympiades 6 - 1140 Brussels, Belgium Phone: 0032 2 337 08 08 - Fax: 0032 2 337 08 00 Email: courtyard.brussels@courtyard.com - www.courtyardbrussels.com

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Best of Belgium

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Dining & Hospitality

Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel: Antwerp’s shining Diamond!

Conveniently located in the city center, the 5 star Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel in Antwerp is adjacent to the beautiful city park, the old city with its restaurants and bars and the world-renowned diamond sector.

The Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel offers 174 rooms, including Deluxe rooms, Superior Rooms, Executive and Duplex Presidential Suites; all offering first-class comfort and service, for short or longer stays, focusing on business people and luxury tourists. The rooms have delightful views over City Park and the Antwerp Cathedral.

The location is ideal: just a few minutes walk from the city center and easy access to the train station, airport and main highway.

The Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel is the ideal venue for conferences and meetings. There is a choice of 11 air-conditioned meeting rooms from 10 to 600 persons, including the Villa d’Este ballroom, all offering daylight and state of the art technical facilities. For delegates attending conferences, and other guests, the hotel provides a 24-hour comprehensive Business Kiosk.

Recently the Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel introduced wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel enabling guests to access Internet from their room or from any place in the hotel. Radisson SAS is the first international chain to offer this for free throughout all their hotels!

The Health & Leisure Center incorporates a swimming pool, whirlpool, Jacuzzi, fitness equipment, sauna, solarium and Turkish bath.

For the more adventurous visitor, the Central Park opposite the hotel is a superb location for jogging.

Once again, the Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel is the perfect place to organize meetings, conferences, or just simple to enjoy a weekend break …

Van Eycklei 34 B – 2018 Antwerpen Tel. 32-3-285.85.85 - Fax 32-3-285.85.86 Internet: www.antwerp.radissonsas.com E-mail: reservations.Antwerp@radissonsas.com

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Antwerp World Diamond Centre is not just a slogan. Antwerp quality and cut are international trade terms synonymous with perfect processing and flawless beauty. Elegant show rooms offer the visitor fascinating tours and the opportunity to visit interesting exhibitions.

Antwerp is most famous for its fashion-conscious and trendy character.

Shopping in Antwerp means : stroll around the many traffic-free streets, along the most beautiful historic houses and cosy shopping-arcades. From basic to chique, from casual to trendy, from international to Belgian brands; discover it all in the 52 shopping areas of Antwerp.

The people of Antwerp have the reputation of being gourmets and enjoy the taste of excellent food, wine and beer.

The majority of Antwerp restaurants tend to go in the direction of French cuisine, with the addition of a few fine Belgian touches or the use of typical Belgian ingredients. However, in this cosmopolitan city you’ll find a whole range of European, ethnic and biological cuisine as well as restaurants experimenting with the latest food fads.

Baroque, intelligent, complex, fascinating and surprising… are just some key words to describe Rubens’ style. His works can be viewed in glorious rooms in London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, St. Petersburg, Washington, Vienna and last but not least Antwerp! The city of Antwerp is the Master’s home base where your visitors can admire his house, workshop and grave.

Some fifty of his paintings and oil sketches are permanently on show.

Most of them have never left the building they were originally made in centuries ago.

Dining & Hospitality

Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel: Antwerp’s shining Diamond!

Conveniently located in the city center, the 5 star Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel in Antwerp is adjacent to the beautiful city park, the old city with its restaurants and bars and the world-renowned diamond sector.

The Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel offers 174 rooms, including Deluxe rooms, Superior Rooms, Executive and Duplex Presidential Suites; all offering first-class comfort and service, for short or longer stays, focusing on business people and luxury tourists. The rooms have delightful views over City Park and the Antwerp Cathedral.

The location is ideal: just a few minutes walk from the city center and easy access to the train station, airport and main highway.

The Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel is the ideal venue for conferences and meetings. There is a choice of 11 air-conditioned meeting rooms from 10 to 600 persons, including the Villa d’Este ballroom, all offering daylight and state of the art technical facilities. For delegates attending conferences, and other guests, the hotel provides a 24-hour comprehensive Business Kiosk.

Recently the Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel introduced wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel enabling guests to access Internet from their room or from any place in the hotel. Radisson SAS is the first international chain to offer this for free throughout all their hotels!

The Health & Leisure Center incorporates a swimming pool, whirlpool, Jacuzzi, fitness equipment, sauna, solarium and Turkish bath.

For the more adventurous visitor, the Central Park opposite the hotel is a superb location for jogging.

Once again, the Radisson SAS Park Lane Hotel is the perfect place to organize meetings, conferences, or just simple to enjoy a weekend break …

Van Eycklei 34 B – 2018 Antwerpen Tel. 32-3-285.85.85 - Fax 32-3-285.85.86 Internet: www.antwerp.radissonsas.com E-mail: reservations.Antwerp@radissonsas.com

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Best of Belgium

127

Antwerp World Diamond Centre is not just a slogan. Antwerp quality and cut are international trade terms synonymous with perfect processing and flawless beauty. Elegant show rooms offer the visitor fascinating tours and the opportunity to visit interesting exhibitions.

Antwerp is most famous for its fashion-conscious and trendy character.

Shopping in Antwerp means : stroll around the many traffic-free streets, along the most beautiful historic houses and cosy shopping-arcades. From basic to chique, from casual to trendy, from international to Belgian brands; discover it all in the 52 shopping areas of Antwerp.

The people of Antwerp have the reputation of being gourmets and enjoy the taste of excellent food, wine and beer.

The majority of Antwerp restaurants tend to go in the direction of French cuisine, with the addition of a few fine Belgian touches or the use of typical Belgian ingredients. However, in this cosmopolitan city you’ll find a whole range of European, ethnic and biological cuisine as well as restaurants experimenting with the latest food fads.

Baroque, intelligent, complex, fascinating and surprising… are just some key words to describe Rubens’ style. His works can be viewed in glorious rooms in London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, St. Petersburg, Washington, Vienna and last but not least Antwerp! The city of Antwerp is the Master’s home base where your visitors can admire his house, workshop and grave.

Some fifty of his paintings and oil sketches are permanently on show.

Most of them have never left the building they were originally made in centuries ago.

Dining & Hospitality

Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp Hotel

work out in the fully equipped fitness area offering the latest trends, such as a vacushaper. The indoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, the sauna, steam room and solarium invite guests to relax thoroughly.

Facilities also include several types of massages, including hot stone massages.

Trendy menu: light dishes, both classical as international In The Square, the hotel restaurant/bar, a refreshing wind has passed as well. The chef and his team offer a trendy menu, meaning light dishes, delicately presented, with an excellent taste and not flooded with heavy sauces. The menu suggests excellent dishes from the typical Belgian kitchen, next to tasty international woks, pastas, etc. All of this can be enjoyed in the contemporary and comfortable interior of The Square, inviting for a nice cocktail, a timed business lunch or a romantic diner.

The 4-star Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp hotel is a shining star at the Antwerp hotel sky.

The remarkable building, completely designed and decorated by the renowned US born architect Michael Graves, has a trendy interior that provides a unique atmosphere. Since its refreshment project at the beginning of 2007, the hotel is even more a “deluxe” hotel out of the ordinary!

With its refurbishment project, Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp renovated all of its 228 guest rooms at once from top to toe, including new furniture, lighting, carpet, and new paintwork throughout. The bedrooms have been tastefully decorated by the international designer Buki Zuker. He proposed a contemporary color scheme of dark browns, creamy shades and rich burgundy reds; a palette that is being appreciated by both leisure and business guests, by young and old. In addition new artwork embellishes the hallways. The general look and feel embraces guests with a warm and luxurious welcome.

Following, the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp updated its services and facilities to the same trendy level of its new look.

Rooms have standard quality Nespresso machines and flat screens on which the latest and currently most sophisticated technology in Pay TV and wireless internet can be consulted. Guests are able to choose freely from a movie library at any time of the day or night. Also the wireless internet offers a comfortable freedom throughout the hotel.

Conference & Banqueting The Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp is known in Antwerp as THE meeting & conference hotel. With 18 flexible and multi-functional conference rooms, the hotel is the largest conference hotel of the city. All conference rooms feature air-conditioning, wireless LAN and modern audio-visual equipment, e.g. videoconferencing.

At all times during conferences, people can turn to the modern Business Centre, located on the conference & banqueting floor, for office services and back-up. The conference floors also feature comfortable seating areas for informal contacts during events. In total all meeting rooms can welcome events up to 1000 delegates.

Additionally, the hotel offers Aquatopia, a unique wo/underwaterworld, showcasing more than 10.000 exotic fish and reptiles in their natural environment. Here you can organize an exceptional

Full comfort zone Speaking of comfort, the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp offers extensive relaxation facilities. The 5-star Health & Leisure Centre corresponds with a genuine fitness center. Here guests can enjoy an intensive

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training break, an exotic start of a conference or an exclusive reception within 2 meters distance of the exotic fish and sharks!

With its ideal location, opposite the Central Station and Zoo, near the world-famous diamond area and within walking distance from the shopping promenades and the historic city center, the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp holds all cards to offer an unforgettable stay to both business and leisure guests.

The hotel is easily accessible. The high-speed train, Thalys, stops at the train station across the hotel. Travelers that prefer to come by car can use the underground hotel parking or park beneath the recently renovated Astrid Square in front of the hotel.

Park Plaza Hotels Europe is a full-service hotel company providing management, franchise, sales, marketing, reservations, training,

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procurement, technical, licensing and design services, operating from regional offices in London, Amsterdam and Berlin. At the beginning of 2007, the company had 30 hotels and nearly 6,000 guestroom open and under development in 7 countries throughout EMEA, with the vision to double its portfolio by 2009.

Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp Koningin Astridplein 7 2018 Antwerpen Phone +32 (0)3 203 12 34 Fax +32 (0)3 203 12 51 E-mail: ppaares@pphe.com www.parkplazaantwerp.com www.parkplaza.com www.pphe.com Thierry Vermeiren Director of Sales and Marketing Tel: +32 3 203 12 93 E-mail: tvermeiren@pphe.com

Dining & Hospitality

Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp Hotel

work out in the fully equipped fitness area offering the latest trends, such as a vacushaper. The indoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, the sauna, steam room and solarium invite guests to relax thoroughly.

Facilities also include several types of massages, including hot stone massages.

Trendy menu: light dishes, both classical as international In The Square, the hotel restaurant/bar, a refreshing wind has passed as well. The chef and his team offer a trendy menu, meaning light dishes, delicately presented, with an excellent taste and not flooded with heavy sauces. The menu suggests excellent dishes from the typical Belgian kitchen, next to tasty international woks, pastas, etc. All of this can be enjoyed in the contemporary and comfortable interior of The Square, inviting for a nice cocktail, a timed business lunch or a romantic diner.

The 4-star Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp hotel is a shining star at the Antwerp hotel sky.

The remarkable building, completely designed and decorated by the renowned US born architect Michael Graves, has a trendy interior that provides a unique atmosphere. Since its refreshment project at the beginning of 2007, the hotel is even more a “deluxe” hotel out of the ordinary!

With its refurbishment project, Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp renovated all of its 228 guest rooms at once from top to toe, including new furniture, lighting, carpet, and new paintwork throughout. The bedrooms have been tastefully decorated by the international designer Buki Zuker. He proposed a contemporary color scheme of dark browns, creamy shades and rich burgundy reds; a palette that is being appreciated by both leisure and business guests, by young and old. In addition new artwork embellishes the hallways. The general look and feel embraces guests with a warm and luxurious welcome.

Following, the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp updated its services and facilities to the same trendy level of its new look.

Rooms have standard quality Nespresso machines and flat screens on which the latest and currently most sophisticated technology in Pay TV and wireless internet can be consulted. Guests are able to choose freely from a movie library at any time of the day or night. Also the wireless internet offers a comfortable freedom throughout the hotel.

Conference & Banqueting The Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp is known in Antwerp as THE meeting & conference hotel. With 18 flexible and multi-functional conference rooms, the hotel is the largest conference hotel of the city. All conference rooms feature air-conditioning, wireless LAN and modern audio-visual equipment, e.g. videoconferencing.

At all times during conferences, people can turn to the modern Business Centre, located on the conference & banqueting floor, for office services and back-up. The conference floors also feature comfortable seating areas for informal contacts during events. In total all meeting rooms can welcome events up to 1000 delegates.

Additionally, the hotel offers Aquatopia, a unique wo/underwaterworld, showcasing more than 10.000 exotic fish and reptiles in their natural environment. Here you can organize an exceptional

Full comfort zone Speaking of comfort, the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp offers extensive relaxation facilities. The 5-star Health & Leisure Centre corresponds with a genuine fitness center. Here guests can enjoy an intensive

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training break, an exotic start of a conference or an exclusive reception within 2 meters distance of the exotic fish and sharks!

With its ideal location, opposite the Central Station and Zoo, near the world-famous diamond area and within walking distance from the shopping promenades and the historic city center, the Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp holds all cards to offer an unforgettable stay to both business and leisure guests.

The hotel is easily accessible. The high-speed train, Thalys, stops at the train station across the hotel. Travelers that prefer to come by car can use the underground hotel parking or park beneath the recently renovated Astrid Square in front of the hotel.

Park Plaza Hotels Europe is a full-service hotel company providing management, franchise, sales, marketing, reservations, training,

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129

procurement, technical, licensing and design services, operating from regional offices in London, Amsterdam and Berlin. At the beginning of 2007, the company had 30 hotels and nearly 6,000 guestroom open and under development in 7 countries throughout EMEA, with the vision to double its portfolio by 2009.

Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp Koningin Astridplein 7 2018 Antwerpen Phone +32 (0)3 203 12 34 Fax +32 (0)3 203 12 51 E-mail: ppaares@pphe.com www.parkplazaantwerp.com www.parkplaza.com www.pphe.com Thierry Vermeiren Director of Sales and Marketing Tel: +32 3 203 12 93 E-mail: tvermeiren@pphe.com

Dining & Hospitality

Crowne Plaza Antwerp, the highest and largest hotel of Antwerp.

The Crowne Plaza is a true Antwerp landmark. With a unique view out over Flanders’ most dynamic and beautiful city, the hotel’s fantastic location makes it an invaluable place for meetings, conferences, interviews – and of course a relaxing, well-deserved break.

Recently renovated, its 264 elegant rooms and 14 conference spaces deliver all the practical comforts you could need, without ever losing that personal feel. Bright open spaces create a truly special atmosphere throughout – from the luxurious indoor pool and wellness area overlooking Antwerp’s performing arts centre, to the eight spectacular boardrooms on the sixteenth floor, to the intimate buzz of the downstairs bars and restaurant.

Key to it all is the Crowne Plaza’s ability to treat every guest as an individual.

For an ever-growing number of regular guests, business just wouldn’t be the same without having a dedicated team at hand to cater for their every need.

Located on the edge of one of Antwerp’s most beautiful parks, yet just a few minutes off the main ring road and with convenient parking for nearly 200 cars, the Crowne Plaza is the place to stay - not only for business but for the pleasure of discovering a whole new side of Antwerp.

Crowne Plaza Antwerp Gerard le Grellelaan 10- 2020 Antwerpen tel +32 3 259 75 00 website: www.crowneplaza.com/cpantwerp

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Dining & Hospitality

Crowne Plaza Antwerp, the highest and largest hotel of Antwerp.

The Crowne Plaza is a true Antwerp landmark. With a unique view out over Flanders’ most dynamic and beautiful city, the hotel’s fantastic location makes it an invaluable place for meetings, conferences, interviews – and of course a relaxing, well-deserved break.

Recently renovated, its 264 elegant rooms and 14 conference spaces deliver all the practical comforts you could need, without ever losing that personal feel. Bright open spaces create a truly special atmosphere throughout – from the luxurious indoor pool and wellness area overlooking Antwerp’s performing arts centre, to the eight spectacular boardrooms on the sixteenth floor, to the intimate buzz of the downstairs bars and restaurant.

Key to it all is the Crowne Plaza’s ability to treat every guest as an individual.

For an ever-growing number of regular guests, business just wouldn’t be the same without having a dedicated team at hand to cater for their every need.

Located on the edge of one of Antwerp’s most beautiful parks, yet just a few minutes off the main ring road and with convenient parking for nearly 200 cars, the Crowne Plaza is the place to stay - not only for business but for the pleasure of discovering a whole new side of Antwerp.

Crowne Plaza Antwerp Gerard le Grellelaan 10- 2020 Antwerpen tel +32 3 259 75 00 website: www.crowneplaza.com/cpantwerp

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ORIENTAL SHOW CUISINE * ALL YOU C AN EAT

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CHESS C AFE combines a st ylish interior with a trendy cool formula. Together with friends, family an d colleagues you c an enjoy rich and healthy O riental food by compiling your own stir-fr y dish from a wide range of ingredients, sauces and spices. The experienced â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;stir fr y chefsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prepare your combination in a spec tac ular way before your ver y eyes. The formula is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;à volontéâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, so al l you c an eat for only â&#x201A;¬ 18!

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Health food makes me sick.

Calvin Trillin (1935 - )

Chapter 7 Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Photography: talons.be

Health food makes me sick.

Calvin Trillin (1935 - )

Chapter 7 Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Photography: talons.be

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Belgium’s love affair with chocolate …

•

Belgium’s love affair with chocolate is nothing new as our country was among the first to succumb to this gentle, pick-me-up brought back by the Spanish conquerors. It was very quickly appreciated and offered as a precious gift...

aking chocolate is an extremely elaborate m process, especially the vital operations such as roasting and grinding, the latter being exceptionally fine (to obtain particles measuring 12 microns, as opposed to, say, 24 microns in the UK);

•

i ngredients other than cocoa, such as butter, almonds, hazelnuts, sugar, etc. are also all of top quality;

•

t he cocoa content is always more than the minimum legal requirement.

and its know-how and creativity …

Belgium is especially famous for its chocolates with smooth fillings and creams inside, the so called “Belgian pralines”. The fillings can be of nearly any consistency, ranging from fluid-like cream, soft caramel, light ganache or creamy whipped praline. Each of these various bases are then further developed with flavourings such as liqueur, coffee, vanilla, herbs, spices … to create unique taste sensations.

It is the combination of the high quality chocolate and the creativity and know-how of the craftmen that make Belgian chocolate products famous,

Since the 19th century, numerous Belgian chocolate manufacturers have developed products and brands which have made Belgian chocolate the best-known in the world. This delight which originated from the other side of the world has truly become one of the best ambassadors of our country and its gastronomy. Not only Europe but also Australia, Canada, the US and Japan - to mention but a few countries - love Belgian chocolate.

tablets and bars or used as an ingredient in other food products like biscuits, pastry and ice cream.

The 300 chocolate producing companies realize a turnover of nearly 3 billion € of which 75% is exported.

Belgian chocolate owes its reputation to the quality of its ingredients …

•

Belgium produces each year 500.000 tons of chocolate, of which 60% is bulk chocolate used to make finished chocolate products like pralines,

ith regard to the choice of key ingredients: beans w selected with the greatest care are of outstanding quality and the blends of particularly subtle varieties;

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not to mention that they are also marketed at an excellent quality/price ratio ! … that needs to be protected !

The interests of the Belgian chocolate industry are represented by Choprabisco, the Royal Belgian Association of the Chocolate, Praline, Biscuits and Sugar Confectionery manufacturers. Choprabisco serves its member companies and is committed to maintaining a successful Belgian chocolate industry.

Choprabisco protects the good reputation Belgian chocolate enjoys throughout the world, and defends the industry in Belgium and abroad against the misuse of the “Belgian chocolate” label. The term “Belgian chocolate(s)” can only be used to refer to chocolate products which are manufactured with Belgian chocolate at production sites in Belgium.

We wish you a very pleasant stay in Belgium and don’t forget to pass by one of our chocolate shops and visit the chocolate museum in Bruges or Brussels !

Guy Gallet Secretary General Choprabisco

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Belgium’s love affair with chocolate …

•

Belgium’s love affair with chocolate is nothing new as our country was among the first to succumb to this gentle, pick-me-up brought back by the Spanish conquerors. It was very quickly appreciated and offered as a precious gift...

aking chocolate is an extremely elaborate m process, especially the vital operations such as roasting and grinding, the latter being exceptionally fine (to obtain particles measuring 12 microns, as opposed to, say, 24 microns in the UK);

•

i ngredients other than cocoa, such as butter, almonds, hazelnuts, sugar, etc. are also all of top quality;

•

t he cocoa content is always more than the minimum legal requirement.

and its know-how and creativity …

Belgium is especially famous for its chocolates with smooth fillings and creams inside, the so called “Belgian pralines”. The fillings can be of nearly any consistency, ranging from fluid-like cream, soft caramel, light ganache or creamy whipped praline. Each of these various bases are then further developed with flavourings such as liqueur, coffee, vanilla, herbs, spices … to create unique taste sensations.

It is the combination of the high quality chocolate and the creativity and know-how of the craftmen that make Belgian chocolate products famous,

Since the 19th century, numerous Belgian chocolate manufacturers have developed products and brands which have made Belgian chocolate the best-known in the world. This delight which originated from the other side of the world has truly become one of the best ambassadors of our country and its gastronomy. Not only Europe but also Australia, Canada, the US and Japan - to mention but a few countries - love Belgian chocolate.

tablets and bars or used as an ingredient in other food products like biscuits, pastry and ice cream.

The 300 chocolate producing companies realize a turnover of nearly 3 billion € of which 75% is exported.

Belgian chocolate owes its reputation to the quality of its ingredients …

•

Belgium produces each year 500.000 tons of chocolate, of which 60% is bulk chocolate used to make finished chocolate products like pralines,

ith regard to the choice of key ingredients: beans w selected with the greatest care are of outstanding quality and the blends of particularly subtle varieties;

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Best of Belgium

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not to mention that they are also marketed at an excellent quality/price ratio ! … that needs to be protected !

The interests of the Belgian chocolate industry are represented by Choprabisco, the Royal Belgian Association of the Chocolate, Praline, Biscuits and Sugar Confectionery manufacturers. Choprabisco serves its member companies and is committed to maintaining a successful Belgian chocolate industry.

Choprabisco protects the good reputation Belgian chocolate enjoys throughout the world, and defends the industry in Belgium and abroad against the misuse of the “Belgian chocolate” label. The term “Belgian chocolate(s)” can only be used to refer to chocolate products which are manufactured with Belgian chocolate at production sites in Belgium.

We wish you a very pleasant stay in Belgium and don’t forget to pass by one of our chocolate shops and visit the chocolate museum in Bruges or Brussels !

Guy Gallet Secretary General Choprabisco

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Marcolini Aficionados already know his name. Belgian by nationality, Italian by origin with an international reputation, Pierre Marcolini is one of the audacious generation who dares to push back the frontiers of the Art de Vivre.

With quick action and omnipresent passion, he orchestrates his recipes using the aromas that he gathers from the four corners of the earth.

are the translation of his talents as a chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini still knows how to transform the most wonderful ingredients to recreate the links with the great confectionery classics.

Pure Origin Products Pierre Marcolini is uncompromising when it comes to choosing the raw materials for his products.

Pierre Marcolini, haute couture of chocolate We thought we knew everything about chocolate…

That was until we discovered Pierre Marcolini.

This creator of happiness has allowed us to discover flavours we would never have dreamed of! Today, people the world over can enjoy his delicious and surprising creations.

A meteoric success that is the result of this passionate chocolate enthusiast’s total faith. A faith that comes with a touch of folly – for chocolate naturally –, a quest for perfection, absolute meticulousness in his preparations and a faith that has been rewarded several times by prestigious awards (Premier Belgian Ice Cream Confectioner in 1991, World Champion Pastry in 1995, European Champion Pastry in 2000).

His approach is based on a never-ending quest for new flavours.

A true wizard of the senses, he knows that when it comes to satisfying the palate two aspects are crucial: absolute respect for the products and a liberated approach in the way of using them.

Every year, this indefatigable chocolate “gringo” travels the world (Latin America, Mexico, Madagascar, Trinity Island, etc.) in search of cocoa beans, the fruit that he uses as his logo.

Two principles that constitute the leitmotiv of this great creator who, without ever surrendering to extravagance, is able to surprise and reassure at the same time.

Everyone knows that few pleasures are as sensual as the experience of eating superior quality chocolate. Whether it is sweet or sour, acid or smooth, the unique character of good origin chocolate resounds on our taste buds like a clear and joyous note. But if we go one step further and create harmonious chords using exceptional products, then the term symphony is the most appropriate description.

In this spirit, placing a Pierre Marcolini creation into your mouth is an experience

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that often borders on the Absolute. The sometimes-audacious balance of flavours may astonish at first, but then it gradually comes to the fore so that we are surprised that we did not think of it sooner.

Pierre Marcolini has not limited himself solely to chocolate of course. As World Champion Pastry in 1995, he creates desserts, biscuits, ice creams and sorbets to the rhythm of the seasons as well that of his wishes.

Inspired by gastronomic trends that he discovers during his visits around the world, he invents, designs and develops superb creations, which have already earned him an outstanding reputation (Envol, Aurore, Arriba, etc.). And while these classics

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139

Not satisfied with bringing back the best beans in the world to his ateliers in Brussels, this alchemist then subtly blends the beans from the different regions and works with original aromas to create unequalled flavours: ganaches made with teas from around the world, “Crus d’origine” chocolate bars, etc.

The advantage of creating your own coating is undeniable: real products, rigorously selected ingredients that enhance each of the specialities with their specific flavours to create chocolates that are always different,

always original, sometimes audacious, and that put us in mind of the best “Grand Cru” wines.

He is a wise manager and indefatigable inventor who has been quick to acknowledge the need for the image of his creations to shine its light beyond our borders. Several European capitals compete enthusiastically for the privilege of opening a shop with the cocoa nut logo, now inextricably associated with the “Marcolini Experience”.

Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier Rue du Bassin Collecteur 9 1130 Bruxelles 02 242 14 40

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Marcolini Aficionados already know his name. Belgian by nationality, Italian by origin with an international reputation, Pierre Marcolini is one of the audacious generation who dares to push back the frontiers of the Art de Vivre.

With quick action and omnipresent passion, he orchestrates his recipes using the aromas that he gathers from the four corners of the earth.

are the translation of his talents as a chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini still knows how to transform the most wonderful ingredients to recreate the links with the great confectionery classics.

Pure Origin Products Pierre Marcolini is uncompromising when it comes to choosing the raw materials for his products.

Pierre Marcolini, haute couture of chocolate We thought we knew everything about chocolate…

That was until we discovered Pierre Marcolini.

This creator of happiness has allowed us to discover flavours we would never have dreamed of! Today, people the world over can enjoy his delicious and surprising creations.

A meteoric success that is the result of this passionate chocolate enthusiast’s total faith. A faith that comes with a touch of folly – for chocolate naturally –, a quest for perfection, absolute meticulousness in his preparations and a faith that has been rewarded several times by prestigious awards (Premier Belgian Ice Cream Confectioner in 1991, World Champion Pastry in 1995, European Champion Pastry in 2000).

His approach is based on a never-ending quest for new flavours.

A true wizard of the senses, he knows that when it comes to satisfying the palate two aspects are crucial: absolute respect for the products and a liberated approach in the way of using them.

Every year, this indefatigable chocolate “gringo” travels the world (Latin America, Mexico, Madagascar, Trinity Island, etc.) in search of cocoa beans, the fruit that he uses as his logo.

Two principles that constitute the leitmotiv of this great creator who, without ever surrendering to extravagance, is able to surprise and reassure at the same time.

Everyone knows that few pleasures are as sensual as the experience of eating superior quality chocolate. Whether it is sweet or sour, acid or smooth, the unique character of good origin chocolate resounds on our taste buds like a clear and joyous note. But if we go one step further and create harmonious chords using exceptional products, then the term symphony is the most appropriate description.

In this spirit, placing a Pierre Marcolini creation into your mouth is an experience

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that often borders on the Absolute. The sometimes-audacious balance of flavours may astonish at first, but then it gradually comes to the fore so that we are surprised that we did not think of it sooner.

Pierre Marcolini has not limited himself solely to chocolate of course. As World Champion Pastry in 1995, he creates desserts, biscuits, ice creams and sorbets to the rhythm of the seasons as well that of his wishes.

Inspired by gastronomic trends that he discovers during his visits around the world, he invents, designs and develops superb creations, which have already earned him an outstanding reputation (Envol, Aurore, Arriba, etc.). And while these classics

Best of Belgium

139

Not satisfied with bringing back the best beans in the world to his ateliers in Brussels, this alchemist then subtly blends the beans from the different regions and works with original aromas to create unequalled flavours: ganaches made with teas from around the world, “Crus d’origine” chocolate bars, etc.

The advantage of creating your own coating is undeniable: real products, rigorously selected ingredients that enhance each of the specialities with their specific flavours to create chocolates that are always different,

always original, sometimes audacious, and that put us in mind of the best “Grand Cru” wines.

He is a wise manager and indefatigable inventor who has been quick to acknowledge the need for the image of his creations to shine its light beyond our borders. Several European capitals compete enthusiastically for the privilege of opening a shop with the cocoa nut logo, now inextricably associated with the “Marcolini Experience”.

Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier Rue du Bassin Collecteur 9 1130 Bruxelles 02 242 14 40

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Guylian. The World’s Favourite Belgian Chocolates With a true passion for chocolate, Guylian is well known for its exquisite Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells, made with only the highest quality ingredients. We offer a wide range of luxurious gift boxes, Belgian chocolate truffles, pralines and premium bars. Discover, taste and enjoy !

of the finest Belgian milk, dark and white chocolate gives Guylian Sea Shells their characteristic marbled look.

Guylian was founded as a family business in 1960 by the couple Guy and Liliane Foubert. The combination of their first names gaves us our company name. Guylian remains until today a private Belgian company. We are the market leader in boxed chocolates in Belgium. With a team of 250 employees, Guylian produces a wide range of Belgian chocolates in a state-of-the-art factory, whilst still respecting our traditional chocolatemaking heritage.

Exported to over 100 countries around the world, Guylian is synonymous with quality Belgian chocolate. Our products are widely available in all major supermarkets, department stores, chocolate specialty stores, travel retail and duty free shops.

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells are the number one Belgian boxed chocolate brand distributed in travel retail and duty free shops, which makes them well loved worldwide.

Quality is our first priority. A unique blend of West-African cocoa beans forms the basis of our premium Belgian chocolate, made with 100% cocoa butter. Only the best hand selected hazelnuts from the Mediterranean are used for the roasted hazelnut praliné filling of our world famous Chocolate Sea Shells.

Guylian Twists, great tasting Belgian chocolate seahorses Guylian Twists, an assortment of individually wrapped bite size Belgian chocolates, are the ideal indulgent treat to share at a party. The secret of Guylian Twists – like all Guylian products – is the great taste.

Made with premium Belgian chocolate and manufactured in Belgium, Guylian Twists come in six delicious flavours, moulded in the well known seahorse shape. They carry the Guylian “G” signature as a guarantee of premium quality.

Guylian Chocolate Sea Shells with praliné filling The Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells are Guylian’s star product. The hazelnut praliné filling is still produced according our unique recipe in the ageold traditional manner, a heritage of the company’s founding father. Our well-kept secret method of roasting and caramelizing hazelnuts gives Guylian chocolates their signature taste. A distinctive blend

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Wide range With a wide range of luxurious assortment boxes, Guylian is the perfect gift for Christmas, birthdays or any other celebration.

The assortment boxes are a collection of Guylian’s most well-loved chocolates: Guylian Sea Shells, Opus Belgian pralines and La Trufflina, smooth Belgian truffles in milk, white and dark Belgian chocolate.

Guylian’s commitment to marine conservation As a way of giving something back to our consumers and the environment, Guylian provides vital long term support to “Project Seahorse”, an international team of experts conserving the world’s marine animals and their ocean habitats. Every time you buy a box of Guylian’s finest Belgian chocolates, you are supporting Project Seahorse. Saving seahorses means saving the seas. www.guylian.be

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Guylian. The World’s Favourite Belgian Chocolates With a true passion for chocolate, Guylian is well known for its exquisite Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells, made with only the highest quality ingredients. We offer a wide range of luxurious gift boxes, Belgian chocolate truffles, pralines and premium bars. Discover, taste and enjoy !

of the finest Belgian milk, dark and white chocolate gives Guylian Sea Shells their characteristic marbled look.

Guylian was founded as a family business in 1960 by the couple Guy and Liliane Foubert. The combination of their first names gaves us our company name. Guylian remains until today a private Belgian company. We are the market leader in boxed chocolates in Belgium. With a team of 250 employees, Guylian produces a wide range of Belgian chocolates in a state-of-the-art factory, whilst still respecting our traditional chocolatemaking heritage.

Exported to over 100 countries around the world, Guylian is synonymous with quality Belgian chocolate. Our products are widely available in all major supermarkets, department stores, chocolate specialty stores, travel retail and duty free shops.

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells are the number one Belgian boxed chocolate brand distributed in travel retail and duty free shops, which makes them well loved worldwide.

Quality is our first priority. A unique blend of West-African cocoa beans forms the basis of our premium Belgian chocolate, made with 100% cocoa butter. Only the best hand selected hazelnuts from the Mediterranean are used for the roasted hazelnut praliné filling of our world famous Chocolate Sea Shells.

Guylian Twists, great tasting Belgian chocolate seahorses Guylian Twists, an assortment of individually wrapped bite size Belgian chocolates, are the ideal indulgent treat to share at a party. The secret of Guylian Twists – like all Guylian products – is the great taste.

Made with premium Belgian chocolate and manufactured in Belgium, Guylian Twists come in six delicious flavours, moulded in the well known seahorse shape. They carry the Guylian “G” signature as a guarantee of premium quality.

Guylian Chocolate Sea Shells with praliné filling The Belgian Chocolate Sea Shells are Guylian’s star product. The hazelnut praliné filling is still produced according our unique recipe in the ageold traditional manner, a heritage of the company’s founding father. Our well-kept secret method of roasting and caramelizing hazelnuts gives Guylian chocolates their signature taste. A distinctive blend

140

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Wide range With a wide range of luxurious assortment boxes, Guylian is the perfect gift for Christmas, birthdays or any other celebration.

The assortment boxes are a collection of Guylian’s most well-loved chocolates: Guylian Sea Shells, Opus Belgian pralines and La Trufflina, smooth Belgian truffles in milk, white and dark Belgian chocolate.

Guylian’s commitment to marine conservation As a way of giving something back to our consumers and the environment, Guylian provides vital long term support to “Project Seahorse”, an international team of experts conserving the world’s marine animals and their ocean habitats. Every time you buy a box of Guylian’s finest Belgian chocolates, you are supporting Project Seahorse. Saving seahorses means saving the seas. www.guylian.be

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Quality, authenticity, pure natural ingredients and a never ending passion for biscuits.

After being founded more than 120 years ago, NV Biscuiterie Jules Destrooper still is growing fast. What once was started as a local business driven by one man, now is a world-wide company with highly appreciated standards. The professional approach may have changed, the original recipes remained untouched from day one.

This of course meant the first step to a world-wide exportation. From now on, gastronomes from the four corners of the world could enjoy the unique freshness, the delicate flavour and the crispiness of the original Destrooper biscuits. Moreover, in this period, a third delicious biscuit was baked: a sister for the butter wafer, the Paris wafer or butter crumble.

Belgium, second half of the nineteenth century...

Driven by passion, Jules Destrooper, a colonial trader, combined the best of the spices he imported from Africa and the East with the best of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ingredients. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how he obtained a very unique flavour for the almond thin, a delicate biscuit that was to please generations of people all over the world. In that way, in 1886, the biscuiterie Jules Destrooper was founded.

Driven by the success of his product and by his natural talent, Jules Destrooper worked out his own recipe of a traditional Belgian butter wafer, which he successfully launched on the Belgian market in 1890. In 1911 the almond thin was rewarded with the prestigious golden award on the famous food show in Paris. Jules Destrooper, motivated by this international recognition, continued his efforts

Generations of experience Today, the Jules Destrooper biscuits are the pride of the 4th generation. The biscuits are still based on the secret family recipe, as Jules Destrooper developed it. 121 years of experience naturally involve a lot of changes, the modern computer-aided production methods guarantee optimal quality and hygiene, but the founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original recipes will never be changed. Just as they were in 1886, Jules Destrooper biscuits are completely free of any kind of artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives. Each biscuit is the honest product of our sustained desire to offer

to improve the quality of his products.

Several other national and international awards stimulated a first selective export.

Premium quality The art of preserving the quality and the freshness of their products was one of the major concerns of the second and third generation of the Destrooper family.

By means of an airtight aluminium packing method, the family succeeded to increase the shelf life of their natural and therefore delicate products up to nine months.

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the best biscuits from creamery butter, fresh eggs, flour and selected sugars.

New biscuits This youngest generation can also be very proud of a brand new line of chocolate covered biscuits. Several new biscuits have come to please all gastronomes: the Florentines with Almonds and Nuts, the Hazelnut Florentines With Crispy Rice (since 1991), and the Cinnamon Biscuits enrobed with chocolate (since 1993). Each of these fine biscuits contain nothing but original natural ingredients of highest quality such as almonds from Valencia, cinnamon from Indonesia (class 1) and the purest Belgian chocolate.

Jules Destrooper N.V. Gravestraat 5 - 8647 LO BELGIUM Tel: +32.58.28.80.41 www.destrooper.com

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Quality, authenticity, pure natural ingredients and a never ending passion for biscuits.

After being founded more than 120 years ago, NV Biscuiterie Jules Destrooper still is growing fast. What once was started as a local business driven by one man, now is a world-wide company with highly appreciated standards. The professional approach may have changed, the original recipes remained untouched from day one.

This of course meant the first step to a world-wide exportation. From now on, gastronomes from the four corners of the world could enjoy the unique freshness, the delicate flavour and the crispiness of the original Destrooper biscuits. Moreover, in this period, a third delicious biscuit was baked: a sister for the butter wafer, the Paris wafer or butter crumble.

Belgium, second half of the nineteenth century...

Driven by passion, Jules Destrooper, a colonial trader, combined the best of the spices he imported from Africa and the East with the best of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ingredients. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how he obtained a very unique flavour for the almond thin, a delicate biscuit that was to please generations of people all over the world. In that way, in 1886, the biscuiterie Jules Destrooper was founded.

Driven by the success of his product and by his natural talent, Jules Destrooper worked out his own recipe of a traditional Belgian butter wafer, which he successfully launched on the Belgian market in 1890. In 1911 the almond thin was rewarded with the prestigious golden award on the famous food show in Paris. Jules Destrooper, motivated by this international recognition, continued his efforts

Generations of experience Today, the Jules Destrooper biscuits are the pride of the 4th generation. The biscuits are still based on the secret family recipe, as Jules Destrooper developed it. 121 years of experience naturally involve a lot of changes, the modern computer-aided production methods guarantee optimal quality and hygiene, but the founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original recipes will never be changed. Just as they were in 1886, Jules Destrooper biscuits are completely free of any kind of artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives. Each biscuit is the honest product of our sustained desire to offer

to improve the quality of his products.

Several other national and international awards stimulated a first selective export.

Premium quality The art of preserving the quality and the freshness of their products was one of the major concerns of the second and third generation of the Destrooper family.

By means of an airtight aluminium packing method, the family succeeded to increase the shelf life of their natural and therefore delicate products up to nine months.

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the best biscuits from creamery butter, fresh eggs, flour and selected sugars.

New biscuits This youngest generation can also be very proud of a brand new line of chocolate covered biscuits. Several new biscuits have come to please all gastronomes: the Florentines with Almonds and Nuts, the Hazelnut Florentines With Crispy Rice (since 1991), and the Cinnamon Biscuits enrobed with chocolate (since 1993). Each of these fine biscuits contain nothing but original natural ingredients of highest quality such as almonds from Valencia, cinnamon from Indonesia (class 1) and the purest Belgian chocolate.

Jules Destrooper N.V. Gravestraat 5 - 8647 LO BELGIUM Tel: +32.58.28.80.41 www.destrooper.com

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Vrai Sirop de Liège Turns Sixty 1947-2007: Vrai Sirop de Liège® turns sixty this year. In 1947, Du Vrai Sirop de Liège® became a trade name, henceforth associated with its immortal blue pot decorated with flowering orchards and with a recipe pleasing to young and old alike.

European buyers, the image and the name have endured unchanged, true beacons of quality on both grocery and supermarket shelves.

Vrai Sirop de Liège® remains faithful to this day to its original image and to a particular conception of quality and of local produce, in spite of changing fashions and constant innovation.

During its 60 years of existence, from 1947 to 2007, Vrai Sirop de Liège® has remained a firm fixture on our tables and in our kitchens. It occupies a central place on the family breakfasttable, provides and excellent accompaniment for strong cheeses and features as an ingredient in the best simmered dishes, whether from the simplest household kitchen or off the stoves of the greatest chefs of the land.

The syrup spread in its blue pot with the flowering orchards is still made in the Pays d’Aubel, faithful to its roots.

The Brand Image Ever since 1947, the Du Vrai Sirop de Liège® brand has remained faithful to its original image,

History The Meurens syrup factory dates back to 1902, when Clément Meurens I began producing syrup industrially. An ambitious man desirous of selling his syrup on a large scale, he installed his factory alongside the railway lines in the little village of Aubel, in order to facilitate the transport of supplies to his production unit and the sale of his produce. Soon the Meurens syrup factory launched its first products on the Belgian market: Pomona®, an apple and beetroot syrup, and Poiret®, an apple and pear syrup with no added sugar.

which was created by the Brussels artist Jean-Léon Huens. The anecdote recounting its birth is worthy of being told: in 1947, under the charm of the spring landscape of the Pays d’Aubel, Jean-Léon Huens withdrew to the attic of the Meurens family home to sketch the flowering fruit-trees surrounding the syrup factory.

The fruit-trees provided him with inspiration and came to be placed on the sky-blue pots with their banderoles displaying the name of Du Vrai Sirop de Liège®.

The picture has stayed with us.

Although the recipe of 1937 has evolved since then and become available in various flavours in order better to answer to the tastes of Belgian and

144

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Vrai Sirop de Liège® efficiently throughout Belgium, in small groceries as well as in supermarkets. He explored new export markets such as Germany, the Netherlands and, later, also Italy, the UK, France, Israel and Canada.

His daughter, Martine Meurens (the fourth generation), joined the company in 1993 and expanded its range of products with concentrated fruit juices and extracts for the industry (prune, date, fig, raisins, apricot, liquorice and chicory extracts), which together make up about 50% of the company’s total output.

Today, the Meurens syrup factory is the market leader in Belgium, notably thanks to its continual efforts in improving technology and automation. All the stages of the manufacturing process are now run by computer in order to guarantee consistent product quality. On average, the Meurens syrup factory produces 50,000 pots of syrup from 8,000 tons of fruit every day.

The company employs 30 people for a 2006 turnover of €7.3 million.

In the 1920s, the younger generation took over the reins of the company under the leadership of Clément Meurens II. It was he who developed the Du Vrai Sirop de Liège® recipe, which was registered as a trademark in 1947.

Siroperie MEURENS s.a.

Rue Kan, 2 B-4880 AUBEL (BELGIUM) Tel: +32 (0)87 32 27 20 Fax: +32 (0)87 68 62 17

Towards the end of the 1960s, Clément Meurens III set up a network to market Du

info@sirop-de-liege.com www.sirop-de-liege.com

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Vrai Sirop de Liège Turns Sixty 1947-2007: Vrai Sirop de Liège® turns sixty this year. In 1947, Du Vrai Sirop de Liège® became a trade name, henceforth associated with its immortal blue pot decorated with flowering orchards and with a recipe pleasing to young and old alike.

European buyers, the image and the name have endured unchanged, true beacons of quality on both grocery and supermarket shelves.

Vrai Sirop de Liège® remains faithful to this day to its original image and to a particular conception of quality and of local produce, in spite of changing fashions and constant innovation.

During its 60 years of existence, from 1947 to 2007, Vrai Sirop de Liège® has remained a firm fixture on our tables and in our kitchens. It occupies a central place on the family breakfasttable, provides and excellent accompaniment for strong cheeses and features as an ingredient in the best simmered dishes, whether from the simplest household kitchen or off the stoves of the greatest chefs of the land.

The syrup spread in its blue pot with the flowering orchards is still made in the Pays d’Aubel, faithful to its roots.

The Brand Image Ever since 1947, the Du Vrai Sirop de Liège® brand has remained faithful to its original image,

History The Meurens syrup factory dates back to 1902, when Clément Meurens I began producing syrup industrially. An ambitious man desirous of selling his syrup on a large scale, he installed his factory alongside the railway lines in the little village of Aubel, in order to facilitate the transport of supplies to his production unit and the sale of his produce. Soon the Meurens syrup factory launched its first products on the Belgian market: Pomona®, an apple and beetroot syrup, and Poiret®, an apple and pear syrup with no added sugar.

which was created by the Brussels artist Jean-Léon Huens. The anecdote recounting its birth is worthy of being told: in 1947, under the charm of the spring landscape of the Pays d’Aubel, Jean-Léon Huens withdrew to the attic of the Meurens family home to sketch the flowering fruit-trees surrounding the syrup factory.

The fruit-trees provided him with inspiration and came to be placed on the sky-blue pots with their banderoles displaying the name of Du Vrai Sirop de Liège®.

The picture has stayed with us.

Although the recipe of 1937 has evolved since then and become available in various flavours in order better to answer to the tastes of Belgian and

144

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

145

Vrai Sirop de Liège® efficiently throughout Belgium, in small groceries as well as in supermarkets. He explored new export markets such as Germany, the Netherlands and, later, also Italy, the UK, France, Israel and Canada.

His daughter, Martine Meurens (the fourth generation), joined the company in 1993 and expanded its range of products with concentrated fruit juices and extracts for the industry (prune, date, fig, raisins, apricot, liquorice and chicory extracts), which together make up about 50% of the company’s total output.

Today, the Meurens syrup factory is the market leader in Belgium, notably thanks to its continual efforts in improving technology and automation. All the stages of the manufacturing process are now run by computer in order to guarantee consistent product quality. On average, the Meurens syrup factory produces 50,000 pots of syrup from 8,000 tons of fruit every day.

The company employs 30 people for a 2006 turnover of €7.3 million.

In the 1920s, the younger generation took over the reins of the company under the leadership of Clément Meurens II. It was he who developed the Du Vrai Sirop de Liège® recipe, which was registered as a trademark in 1947.

Siroperie MEURENS s.a.

Rue Kan, 2 B-4880 AUBEL (BELGIUM) Tel: +32 (0)87 32 27 20 Fax: +32 (0)87 68 62 17

Towards the end of the 1960s, Clément Meurens III set up a network to market Du

info@sirop-de-liege.com www.sirop-de-liege.com

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Wortegemsen, the one and only Wortegemsen: the taste of true satisfaction!

Jenever is not just a collective name for a clear, young gin or a stiff drink that has been allowed to mature in a cask. It can also mean a fruity spirit with a lower alcohol content, popular with women and young people as well.

It is no coincidence that the company NV Albert Kint is located in Waregem, because this region on the border of East and West Flanders is well known as the birthplace of Wortegemsen, the spirit made with sugar and lemons. According to legend, this is the place where Wortegemsen was tasted and enjoyed for the very first time, long before it became world famous, known internationally as a lemon-based jenever with a natural sediment.

People have been distilling alcohol in Flanders since the beginning of history. Time and progress played their part, and gradually better, more refined spirits were created.

In the Middle Ages, this led to a unique drinking custom developing in Flanders. In many families at that time, the lady of the house would create her own sweet and sour drink by mixing jenever (sometimes from the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own stills) with sugar and lemon to suit her taste. The name refers to the village of Wortegem, where a distillery was established in 1752.

Unlike many other lemon jenevers, Wortegemsen is not made by soaking lemon peel in jenever. Just like in the old days, sugar and lemon are used as the basic ingredients.

Taste our know-how wisely

146

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Best of Belgium

147

Its original, authentic taste comes from a unique recipe handed down through the centuries, with no artificial colourings, sweeteners or flavours.

This age-old recipe is what gives Wortegemsen its particular character, refreshing in summer and heart-warming in winter.

Wortegemsen is perfect served cold in a refreshing cocktail straight from the icebox. It is delicious served hot as well.

Wortegemsen has an alcohol volume of 24.2 percent, somewhat higher than usual for a lemon jenever. This gives it an extra bite. To distribute the natural sediment of fruit pulp evenly throughout your drink, it is important to shake the bottle before serving.

Wortegemsen also comes in an attractive assortment of gift boxes. They make the perfect gift for family, friends, acquaintances or business partners. There is a range of gift boxes to choose from.

Wortegemsen is a classic, whose natural simplicity sets it apart from its peers.

For more information: www.wortegemsen.be

Ltd. Albert Kint Steenovenstraat 8 8790 Waregem  Tel +32 (0)56 60 11 78 Fax +32 (0)56 60 24 36

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Wortegemsen, the one and only Wortegemsen: the taste of true satisfaction!

Jenever is not just a collective name for a clear, young gin or a stiff drink that has been allowed to mature in a cask. It can also mean a fruity spirit with a lower alcohol content, popular with women and young people as well.

It is no coincidence that the company NV Albert Kint is located in Waregem, because this region on the border of East and West Flanders is well known as the birthplace of Wortegemsen, the spirit made with sugar and lemons. According to legend, this is the place where Wortegemsen was tasted and enjoyed for the very first time, long before it became world famous, known internationally as a lemon-based jenever with a natural sediment.

People have been distilling alcohol in Flanders since the beginning of history. Time and progress played their part, and gradually better, more refined spirits were created.

In the Middle Ages, this led to a unique drinking custom developing in Flanders. In many families at that time, the lady of the house would create her own sweet and sour drink by mixing jenever (sometimes from the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own stills) with sugar and lemon to suit her taste. The name refers to the village of Wortegem, where a distillery was established in 1752.

Unlike many other lemon jenevers, Wortegemsen is not made by soaking lemon peel in jenever. Just like in the old days, sugar and lemon are used as the basic ingredients.

Taste our know-how wisely

146

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

147

Its original, authentic taste comes from a unique recipe handed down through the centuries, with no artificial colourings, sweeteners or flavours.

This age-old recipe is what gives Wortegemsen its particular character, refreshing in summer and heart-warming in winter.

Wortegemsen is perfect served cold in a refreshing cocktail straight from the icebox. It is delicious served hot as well.

Wortegemsen has an alcohol volume of 24.2 percent, somewhat higher than usual for a lemon jenever. This gives it an extra bite. To distribute the natural sediment of fruit pulp evenly throughout your drink, it is important to shake the bottle before serving.

Wortegemsen also comes in an attractive assortment of gift boxes. They make the perfect gift for family, friends, acquaintances or business partners. There is a range of gift boxes to choose from.

Wortegemsen is a classic, whose natural simplicity sets it apart from its peers.

For more information: www.wortegemsen.be

Ltd. Albert Kint Steenovenstraat 8 8790 Waregem  Tel +32 (0)56 60 11 78 Fax +32 (0)56 60 24 36

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Indulge yourself and your loved ones With a gift from The Belgian chocolates range Founded in 1956, The Belgian Chocolate Group is a well-established supplier and exporter of premium chocolate offering high quality at attractive prices.

“thank you” for those you love.

In addition to Chocolate Seashells, The Belgian also features Chocolate Hearts, Pralines, Caffe Latte, Caramel Truffines, Flake Truffles, Mendiants, and more.

These chocolates can be found in either 65 g boxes or in a range of larger boxes that are perfect for gift-giving or just enjoying at home.

Chocolate is our passion. A range of classic, authentic chocolates is the solid base of our brand The Belgian. The unique combination of the finest ingredients, exclusive production methods and stringent quality controls, ensure the consistent excellence of our product.

The Belgian brand name is one that is associated with fine quality and delicious tasting products from Belgium. We have the widest range of fine Belgian chocolates, which we present in a variety of shapes and package sizes.

Quality Our unfailing focus on quality is building an enviable reputation among discerning chocolate lovers throughout the world. “The Highest Quality” is a must, if you want to play a role in the world of chocolate. The most delicious chocolate is of course made in Belgium, but in order to achieve these high quality demands we have a team of Masterchocolatiers who are creative, innovative,

We also offer a line of chocolate bars: besides our delicious regular chocolate bars, we also have three single-origin chocolate bars available. These delicious 100g bars each contain chocolate that is exclusively sourced from cocoa beans from three separate regions: Ecuador, São Thomé, and Papua New Guinea. All three offer distinct tastes that will thrill even the most discerning chocolatier. For those who wish to enjoy our delicious chocolate, but without the “sin”, we also offer a range of No Sugar Added chocolates in three varieties: milk, dark and extra bitter.

possess a high degree of know-how, competence and have a penchant for quality. Furthermore our company follows the international standards and guidelines. (BRC) In our constant search for excellent ingredients, quality is the first requirement. Together with our tailor-made production process, this gives us the ability to offer the highest quality at a fair price.

The trust of the existing customers confirms that The Belgian Chocolate Group is up to this difficult task and as we are specialised in the production of authentic Belgian Chocolate products we are able to push out frontiers.

Our latest addition is a selection of Cocoa Dusted Truffles with all kinds of flavours and ingredients (Natural, with orange pieces or cocoa pieces, Champagne, ...)

Assortment Our assortment of unique fine chocolates will provide our customers with items both for everyday consumption as well as items suitable for gift-giving for any occasion: Christmas, Valentine, Mother’s Day, Easter, Birthdays or just as a

148

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Our market We work together with exclusive distributors in 60 countries with a view to creating a clear, unified brand presence.

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149

Our aim is to consistently build up the brand in our existing and new markets in order to reach out to all chocolate lovers all over the world.

Corporate strategy The Belgian Chocolate Group wants to base its durable growth and profitability on: · A brand policy with the brand The Belgian as the BRAND that embraces all association of the Belgian heritage and quality. · Focus on a wide and high quality assortment of authentic specialities from the Belgian chocolate world, which are distinguishing as regards to quality and customer satisfaction. · A wide network of exclusive distributors: their customers mostly are retailers, but also the Duty Free, Out of Home and Gift Trade are gaining importance. · Flexibility and efficiency in our production.

The best from Belgium ….

“The belgian” famous chocolates

For more information, please contact us: The Belgian Chocolate Group NV Geelseweg 72 2250 OLEN Belgium Tel: +32 (0) 14 25 85 25 Fax: +32 (0) 14 25 85 24 E-mail: info@bcge.be Website: www.thebelgianchocolates.be

Chocolate & Speciality Foods

Indulge yourself and your loved ones With a gift from The Belgian chocolates range Founded in 1956, The Belgian Chocolate Group is a well-established supplier and exporter of premium chocolate offering high quality at attractive prices.

“thank you” for those you love.

In addition to Chocolate Seashells, The Belgian also features Chocolate Hearts, Pralines, Caffe Latte, Caramel Truffines, Flake Truffles, Mendiants, and more.

These chocolates can be found in either 65 g boxes or in a range of larger boxes that are perfect for gift-giving or just enjoying at home.

Chocolate is our passion. A range of classic, authentic chocolates is the solid base of our brand The Belgian. The unique combination of the finest ingredients, exclusive production methods and stringent quality controls, ensure the consistent excellence of our product.

The Belgian brand name is one that is associated with fine quality and delicious tasting products from Belgium. We have the widest range of fine Belgian chocolates, which we present in a variety of shapes and package sizes.

Quality Our unfailing focus on quality is building an enviable reputation among discerning chocolate lovers throughout the world. “The Highest Quality” is a must, if you want to play a role in the world of chocolate. The most delicious chocolate is of course made in Belgium, but in order to achieve these high quality demands we have a team of Masterchocolatiers who are creative, innovative,

We also offer a line of chocolate bars: besides our delicious regular chocolate bars, we also have three single-origin chocolate bars available. These delicious 100g bars each contain chocolate that is exclusively sourced from cocoa beans from three separate regions: Ecuador, São Thomé, and Papua New Guinea. All three offer distinct tastes that will thrill even the most discerning chocolatier. For those who wish to enjoy our delicious chocolate, but without the “sin”, we also offer a range of No Sugar Added chocolates in three varieties: milk, dark and extra bitter.

possess a high degree of know-how, competence and have a penchant for quality. Furthermore our company follows the international standards and guidelines. (BRC) In our constant search for excellent ingredients, quality is the first requirement. Together with our tailor-made production process, this gives us the ability to offer the highest quality at a fair price.

The trust of the existing customers confirms that The Belgian Chocolate Group is up to this difficult task and as we are specialised in the production of authentic Belgian Chocolate products we are able to push out frontiers.

Our latest addition is a selection of Cocoa Dusted Truffles with all kinds of flavours and ingredients (Natural, with orange pieces or cocoa pieces, Champagne, ...)

Assortment Our assortment of unique fine chocolates will provide our customers with items both for everyday consumption as well as items suitable for gift-giving for any occasion: Christmas, Valentine, Mother’s Day, Easter, Birthdays or just as a

148

Best of Belgium

Our market We work together with exclusive distributors in 60 countries with a view to creating a clear, unified brand presence.

Best of Belgium

149

Our aim is to consistently build up the brand in our existing and new markets in order to reach out to all chocolate lovers all over the world.

Corporate strategy The Belgian Chocolate Group wants to base its durable growth and profitability on: · A brand policy with the brand The Belgian as the BRAND that embraces all association of the Belgian heritage and quality. · Focus on a wide and high quality assortment of authentic specialities from the Belgian chocolate world, which are distinguishing as regards to quality and customer satisfaction. · A wide network of exclusive distributors: their customers mostly are retailers, but also the Duty Free, Out of Home and Gift Trade are gaining importance. · Flexibility and efficiency in our production.

The best from Belgium ….

“The belgian” famous chocolates

For more information, please contact us: The Belgian Chocolate Group NV Geelseweg 72 2250 OLEN Belgium Tel: +32 (0) 14 25 85 25 Fax: +32 (0) 14 25 85 24 E-mail: info@bcge.be Website: www.thebelgianchocolates.be

If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.

Herodotus (484 BC - 430 BC), The Histories of Herodotus

Chapter 8 Beers & Brewing

If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.

Herodotus (484 BC - 430 BC), The Histories of Herodotus

Chapter 8 Beers & Brewing

Beers & Brewing

What makes Belgian beer so special?

that tops the production and export list. Light in colour with a smooth taste, the main Belgian brands are Stella Artois, Jupiler, Primus and Maes Pils.

Cristal Alken and Bavik Pils are less well known but also held in high esteem. Vedett (from the makers of Duvel) is an up and coming brand.

White White, or witbier in Dutch, is a pale golden wheat beer, containing coriander and orange peel. Light and refreshing, these beers are brewed using the top fermentation method (higher temperature fermentation creating more fruity, aromatic characteristics). Hoegaarden and Brugs are the most well known brands.

Amber The amber beers are top-fermented beers that have a much clearer and lighter colour compared to the traditional brown and abbey beers. They resemble in some ways the English ales and their success is due in part to the presence of British troops in Belgium during the world wars. These beers usually have a red-amber colour, have a soft, slightly aromatic taste and have an alcohol volume of approximately 5%. Top brands in this category include Palm and De Koninck (strongly associated with Antwerp).

That Belgium is famed around the world for its beer is indisputable. One can argue, however, that this claim is at risk of becoming a cliché, an overused but increasingly meaningless statement to market every conceivable product and feature of this small land. So let us ask, is Belgian beer really that special and if so, what makes Belgian beer so special? Fortunately, the response to this question remains a strong story.

city of Mechelen.

Respected by experts and connoisseurs Belgian beers have earned the respect of the most respected beer connoisseurs. Take Michael Jackson (“The Beer Hunter”), for example, who writes about Belgian beer; “No other country (even those with far more breweries) has among its native styles of beer such diversity, individuality, idiosyncrasy and colour. Nor does any other country present beers so beautifully.” Mr. Jackson dedicated an entire book to Belgian brew.

For all types of occasions there are different types of beers. Assess the occasion, the weather, the mood, the company and one is sure to identify an ideal beer for the moment. Take your pick from light or strong, blond, amber of brown, fruity or bitter, draught or in bottle, second fermentation in the bottle or not, etc, etc.

In international competitions, Belgian beer consistently takes home awards. Perhaps the most notable recent award went to the Trappist West Vleteren—in 2005 it came out tops in the world on ratebeer.com (it currently holds second place).

Deeply rooted in local culture Beer has a tremendous tradition and cultural meaning in Belgium. Most of the beer brands have a long tradition going back centuries and often are strongly associated with a particular region or town. This sense of tradition is well illustrated by the stories included in this chapter. Take the Gouden Carolus, for example, with its long tradition going back Emperor Charles V and its links with the

Brown Another uniquely special Belgian beer, the brown ales resemble some of the abbey beers but are stronger and more intense in flavour. Also, they can improve with age. Good examples are the Gouden Carolus and the Kasteel beer (both covered in this chapter).

Flemish Red / Old Brown Best known via the Rodenbach brand, this beer has a reddish-brown colour and a fruity somewhat acidic taste.

A unique range of beers based on different fermentation methods According to the Belgian breweries association, there are approximately 115 Belgian breweries producing 17 million hectoliters per year, of which about half is exported. While this is a sizable number of breweries, the really unique story here is the incomparable range of beers they produce.

While the range of actual products is estimated to exceed 1000, there are in essence about 10 different styles or types of Belgian beer. Within each style there is a range of different beers, each with its own distinctive flavour and tradition. Below follows a primer on some of the main beer styles:

Trappist The Trappist is a top-fermented beer that is brewed by, or supervised by, Trappist monks on the site of the monastery. Only six monasteries in Belgium meet this qualification, i.e., Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren.

The latter beer, only available at the monastery and selected pubs, was recently judged the best beer in the world (by ratebeer.com). Since then the availability of this beer has become severely limited (since production is purposely kept small scale by the monks). Each of the monasteries typically brews a range of beers of varying strength and flavour.

Pils Belgium is famous for its special ales but it is the bottom-fermented (or cold-fermented) Pils or Lager

Best of Belgium

Lambic One of the oldest and most uniquely Belgian beer styles, the Lambic beer is neither top- nor bottom-fermented but spontaneously fermented via a relatively long aging period. Lambic’s best known subclasses are the Gueuze and Fruit beers.

The Gueuze is somewhat sour in flavor, golden to light amber in color, and its carbonation can be champagne-like. The Fruit beers are made by adding fruit or fruit concentrate (typically cherries or raspberry) to Lambic beer. Major brands include Mort Subite (see the article in this chapter), Belle Vue, Saint-Louis and Lindemans.

Strong Blond The blond or golden ale is strong in alcohol content, usually about 9%, and resembles the abbey or Trappist tripel, although is paler in colour and has a cleaner, less fruity taste. The benchmark in this style is the famed Duvel. Other well known brands are Brigand, Hapkin and Delerium Trements.

Also the art of serving beer in a glass is part of Belgian beer culture. Each beer has its own ‘proper’ glass with own style of serving. In the numerous pubs (café’s) scattered across the country, this art of serving beer is respected meticulously. Woe the bartender or waiter who shows him/herself incompetent.

152

Abbey Abbey beers cover a large range of topfermented beers and styles that comply with the Union of Belgian Breweries’s criteria for registration as an Abbey beer. In essence this requires an historical link and current licensing arrangement with an abbey. Under each brand there are typically a range of beer styles offered, from a draught to the stronger dubbel and tripel. Usually reasonably strong and aromatic, the most well known brands are Leffe and Grimbergen (see the article in this chapter). Other major brands include Tongerlo, Corsendonk, Ciney, Maredsous and Affligem.

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Finally there are a large range of beers that do not fit neatly in any of the above categories.

Commonly referred to as the ‘special’ beers, these brews often are connected to a particular region or town. Hence, the Gouden Carolus also falls in this category being associated with Mechelen. Other interesting beers include Hommelbier, Kwak, Straffe Hendrik—the list is huge.

To conclude, Belgian beer is undoubtedly special. The range of beers, in style, flavour and drinking experience is simply unrivaled. Also, while connoisseurs around the world hold Belgian brew in high regard, Belgians themselves are entirely committed to the quality of their brews. Customer expectations are tremendously high and competition is extreme. For Belgian brewers there is no option but to create a truly special product.

Beers & Brewing

What makes Belgian beer so special?

that tops the production and export list. Light in colour with a smooth taste, the main Belgian brands are Stella Artois, Jupiler, Primus and Maes Pils.

Cristal Alken and Bavik Pils are less well known but also held in high esteem. Vedett (from the makers of Duvel) is an up and coming brand.

White White, or witbier in Dutch, is a pale golden wheat beer, containing coriander and orange peel. Light and refreshing, these beers are brewed using the top fermentation method (higher temperature fermentation creating more fruity, aromatic characteristics). Hoegaarden and Brugs are the most well known brands.

Amber The amber beers are top-fermented beers that have a much clearer and lighter colour compared to the traditional brown and abbey beers. They resemble in some ways the English ales and their success is due in part to the presence of British troops in Belgium during the world wars. These beers usually have a red-amber colour, have a soft, slightly aromatic taste and have an alcohol volume of approximately 5%. Top brands in this category include Palm and De Koninck (strongly associated with Antwerp).

That Belgium is famed around the world for its beer is indisputable. One can argue, however, that this claim is at risk of becoming a cliché, an overused but increasingly meaningless statement to market every conceivable product and feature of this small land. So let us ask, is Belgian beer really that special and if so, what makes Belgian beer so special? Fortunately, the response to this question remains a strong story.

city of Mechelen.

Respected by experts and connoisseurs Belgian beers have earned the respect of the most respected beer connoisseurs. Take Michael Jackson (“The Beer Hunter”), for example, who writes about Belgian beer; “No other country (even those with far more breweries) has among its native styles of beer such diversity, individuality, idiosyncrasy and colour. Nor does any other country present beers so beautifully.” Mr. Jackson dedicated an entire book to Belgian brew.

For all types of occasions there are different types of beers. Assess the occasion, the weather, the mood, the company and one is sure to identify an ideal beer for the moment. Take your pick from light or strong, blond, amber of brown, fruity or bitter, draught or in bottle, second fermentation in the bottle or not, etc, etc.

In international competitions, Belgian beer consistently takes home awards. Perhaps the most notable recent award went to the Trappist West Vleteren—in 2005 it came out tops in the world on ratebeer.com (it currently holds second place).

Deeply rooted in local culture Beer has a tremendous tradition and cultural meaning in Belgium. Most of the beer brands have a long tradition going back centuries and often are strongly associated with a particular region or town. This sense of tradition is well illustrated by the stories included in this chapter. Take the Gouden Carolus, for example, with its long tradition going back Emperor Charles V and its links with the

Brown Another uniquely special Belgian beer, the brown ales resemble some of the abbey beers but are stronger and more intense in flavour. Also, they can improve with age. Good examples are the Gouden Carolus and the Kasteel beer (both covered in this chapter).

Flemish Red / Old Brown Best known via the Rodenbach brand, this beer has a reddish-brown colour and a fruity somewhat acidic taste.

A unique range of beers based on different fermentation methods According to the Belgian breweries association, there are approximately 115 Belgian breweries producing 17 million hectoliters per year, of which about half is exported. While this is a sizable number of breweries, the really unique story here is the incomparable range of beers they produce.

While the range of actual products is estimated to exceed 1000, there are in essence about 10 different styles or types of Belgian beer. Within each style there is a range of different beers, each with its own distinctive flavour and tradition. Below follows a primer on some of the main beer styles:

Trappist The Trappist is a top-fermented beer that is brewed by, or supervised by, Trappist monks on the site of the monastery. Only six monasteries in Belgium meet this qualification, i.e., Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren.

The latter beer, only available at the monastery and selected pubs, was recently judged the best beer in the world (by ratebeer.com). Since then the availability of this beer has become severely limited (since production is purposely kept small scale by the monks). Each of the monasteries typically brews a range of beers of varying strength and flavour.

Pils Belgium is famous for its special ales but it is the bottom-fermented (or cold-fermented) Pils or Lager

Best of Belgium

Lambic One of the oldest and most uniquely Belgian beer styles, the Lambic beer is neither top- nor bottom-fermented but spontaneously fermented via a relatively long aging period. Lambic’s best known subclasses are the Gueuze and Fruit beers.

The Gueuze is somewhat sour in flavor, golden to light amber in color, and its carbonation can be champagne-like. The Fruit beers are made by adding fruit or fruit concentrate (typically cherries or raspberry) to Lambic beer. Major brands include Mort Subite (see the article in this chapter), Belle Vue, Saint-Louis and Lindemans.

Strong Blond The blond or golden ale is strong in alcohol content, usually about 9%, and resembles the abbey or Trappist tripel, although is paler in colour and has a cleaner, less fruity taste. The benchmark in this style is the famed Duvel. Other well known brands are Brigand, Hapkin and Delerium Trements.

Also the art of serving beer in a glass is part of Belgian beer culture. Each beer has its own ‘proper’ glass with own style of serving. In the numerous pubs (café’s) scattered across the country, this art of serving beer is respected meticulously. Woe the bartender or waiter who shows him/herself incompetent.

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Abbey Abbey beers cover a large range of topfermented beers and styles that comply with the Union of Belgian Breweries’s criteria for registration as an Abbey beer. In essence this requires an historical link and current licensing arrangement with an abbey. Under each brand there are typically a range of beer styles offered, from a draught to the stronger dubbel and tripel. Usually reasonably strong and aromatic, the most well known brands are Leffe and Grimbergen (see the article in this chapter). Other major brands include Tongerlo, Corsendonk, Ciney, Maredsous and Affligem.

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Finally there are a large range of beers that do not fit neatly in any of the above categories.

Commonly referred to as the ‘special’ beers, these brews often are connected to a particular region or town. Hence, the Gouden Carolus also falls in this category being associated with Mechelen. Other interesting beers include Hommelbier, Kwak, Straffe Hendrik—the list is huge.

To conclude, Belgian beer is undoubtedly special. The range of beers, in style, flavour and drinking experience is simply unrivaled. Also, while connoisseurs around the world hold Belgian brew in high regard, Belgians themselves are entirely committed to the quality of their brews. Customer expectations are tremendously high and competition is extreme. For Belgian brewers there is no option but to create a truly special product.

Beers & Brewing

Mort Subite. Naturally good.

Mort Subite is a family of authentic fruit beers. Their natural composition from the use of original wholesome ingredients and their fruity flavour make Mort Subite a high quality product that is naturally good.

Nature unfolds its secrets.

Mort Subite provides a full range of unique beers that are all distinguished by their fruity and genuine character.

Mort Subite Original, a selection for the more mature consumer who knows how to appreciate a more complex taste.

Mort Subite Kriek (Cherry), traditionally produced lambic beer, slowly matured in oak casks, to which delicious fresh Belgian cherries are added.

Mort Subite Gueuze, spontaneously fermented lambic beer, traditionally brewed with malt, wheat and hops, slowly matured in oak casks.

L AMBIC

A long history...

There was already mention of a farm brewery in the picturesque Belgian Pajottenland in 1604. This was expanded in the 17th century by Joris Van der Hasselt in Kobbegem and subsequently by his related De Keersmaeker family. The brewery evolved and in the course of time started specialising in the production of a lambic beer, Gueuze, which it supplied to various hostelries in the Brussels area.

After all this time, the Mort Subite brewery still sits amidst the slightly sloping landscape, the ploughed fields and the lush meadows. The gentle character of the region and the village’s individuality have remained intact down all the centuries. But neither has the beer lost anything of its original character.

One of these was “La Cour Royal”, a café-restaurant in Brussels that was run at the beginning of the 20th century by one Theophile Vossen. The game of dice called the ‘pitjesbak’ was very popular then. Losing this game was known at the time as ‘de mort’ (death).

If the game had to be put aside to get on with work, the game was finished with the last roll of the dice: de Mort Subite (sudden death).

Because of the game’s popularity, Theophile changed the name of his establishment to “A la Mort Subite” and the gueuze served there, which originated from Kobbegem, was subsequently given that name too.

The brewery belongs to the distinguished selection of breweries that produce gueuze using the traditional skills.

The process of spontaneous fermentation is unique because the air composition and the climatic conditions in the Zenne valley and the Pajottenland cannot be equalled anywhere else. Mort Subite is a product that belongs among the joys of life. Its name reflects this.

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Mort Subite Xtreme Kriek, traditionally brewed lambic beer, slowly matured in oak casks to which the juiciest and ripest cherries have been added, resulting in a fruity cherry flavour.

Authenticity topper Mort Subite ‘Oude Gueuze’ is brewed according to the centuriesold traditional art of lambic beers. This gueuze is a combination of old and young lambics, with the youngest at least 1 year old. Mort Subite Oude Gueuze then enjoys an exclusive maturing process in oak casks for at least one year and a 100% refermentation in the bottle. This translates into a typically fresh and robust character in which there is no sweetness.

Mort Subite Xtreme Framboise (Raspberry), traditionally brewed lambic beer, slowly matured in oak casks, to which the juice of the ripest raspberries has been added.

An exceedingly fruity raspberry flavour is the result.

The Mort Subite ‘Oude Kriek’ is produced using the same traditional brewing process. To obtain the typical cherry flavour, fresh Belgian cherries (krieken) are added to the lambic beer.

After a spontaneous fermentation process of 6 months, the cherries are removed and the maturing process is continued for some 5 months. Finally,

Mort Subite Xtreme, a selection for the younger consumer seeking a more fruity flavour.

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the ‘Oude Kriek’ is bottled and a further refermentation of at least 2 months follows in the bottle. Only the finest ingredients and fresh cherries from the Belgian Hageland are used to prepare Mort Subite ‘Oude Kriek’. The result is a fresh sourish thirst-quenching ‘Oude Kriek’, characterised by a full flavour of pure cherries.

Beer brewed carefully, to be consumed with care.

Alken-Maes Breweries: +32 (0)15 30 90 11 www.mort-subite.be

Beers & Brewing

Mort Subite. Naturally good.

Mort Subite is a family of authentic fruit beers. Their natural composition from the use of original wholesome ingredients and their fruity flavour make Mort Subite a high quality product that is naturally good.

Nature unfolds its secrets.

Mort Subite provides a full range of unique beers that are all distinguished by their fruity and genuine character.

Mort Subite Original, a selection for the more mature consumer who knows how to appreciate a more complex taste.

Mort Subite Kriek (Cherry), traditionally produced lambic beer, slowly matured in oak casks, to which delicious fresh Belgian cherries are added.

Mort Subite Gueuze, spontaneously fermented lambic beer, traditionally brewed with malt, wheat and hops, slowly matured in oak casks.

L AMBIC

A long history...

There was already mention of a farm brewery in the picturesque Belgian Pajottenland in 1604. This was expanded in the 17th century by Joris Van der Hasselt in Kobbegem and subsequently by his related De Keersmaeker family. The brewery evolved and in the course of time started specialising in the production of a lambic beer, Gueuze, which it supplied to various hostelries in the Brussels area.

After all this time, the Mort Subite brewery still sits amidst the slightly sloping landscape, the ploughed fields and the lush meadows. The gentle character of the region and the village’s individuality have remained intact down all the centuries. But neither has the beer lost anything of its original character.

One of these was “La Cour Royal”, a café-restaurant in Brussels that was run at the beginning of the 20th century by one Theophile Vossen. The game of dice called the ‘pitjesbak’ was very popular then. Losing this game was known at the time as ‘de mort’ (death).

If the game had to be put aside to get on with work, the game was finished with the last roll of the dice: de Mort Subite (sudden death).

Because of the game’s popularity, Theophile changed the name of his establishment to “A la Mort Subite” and the gueuze served there, which originated from Kobbegem, was subsequently given that name too.

The brewery belongs to the distinguished selection of breweries that produce gueuze using the traditional skills.

The process of spontaneous fermentation is unique because the air composition and the climatic conditions in the Zenne valley and the Pajottenland cannot be equalled anywhere else. Mort Subite is a product that belongs among the joys of life. Its name reflects this.

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Best of Belgium

Mort Subite Xtreme Kriek, traditionally brewed lambic beer, slowly matured in oak casks to which the juiciest and ripest cherries have been added, resulting in a fruity cherry flavour.

Authenticity topper Mort Subite ‘Oude Gueuze’ is brewed according to the centuriesold traditional art of lambic beers. This gueuze is a combination of old and young lambics, with the youngest at least 1 year old. Mort Subite Oude Gueuze then enjoys an exclusive maturing process in oak casks for at least one year and a 100% refermentation in the bottle. This translates into a typically fresh and robust character in which there is no sweetness.

Mort Subite Xtreme Framboise (Raspberry), traditionally brewed lambic beer, slowly matured in oak casks, to which the juice of the ripest raspberries has been added.

An exceedingly fruity raspberry flavour is the result.

The Mort Subite ‘Oude Kriek’ is produced using the same traditional brewing process. To obtain the typical cherry flavour, fresh Belgian cherries (krieken) are added to the lambic beer.

After a spontaneous fermentation process of 6 months, the cherries are removed and the maturing process is continued for some 5 months. Finally,

Mort Subite Xtreme, a selection for the younger consumer seeking a more fruity flavour.

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the ‘Oude Kriek’ is bottled and a further refermentation of at least 2 months follows in the bottle. Only the finest ingredients and fresh cherries from the Belgian Hageland are used to prepare Mort Subite ‘Oude Kriek’. The result is a fresh sourish thirst-quenching ‘Oude Kriek’, characterised by a full flavour of pure cherries.

Beer brewed carefully, to be consumed with care.

Alken-Maes Breweries: +32 (0)15 30 90 11 www.mort-subite.be

Beers & Brewing

Grimbergen, a beer for real beer lovers.

Grimbergen is a contemporary abbey beer with its own superb character: the product of passion and authenticity, the roots of which reach back to abbey life in the Middle Ages. These traditional values are translated into a timeless context: absolute passion, striving for healthy pleasure and a lively personality.

The beer of hospitality.

In 1128, St. Norbert founded his abbey for the Norbertine order of monks in the Belgian village of Grimbergen in Brabant, near Brussels. The abbey was famous for its hospitality, providing a safe shelter for pilgrims and travellers in frequently turbulent times. The Norbertines of Grimbergen made their hospitality complete with their homebrewed beer. The monks of the abbey carefully handed down their perfected brewing recipes throughout the centuries, and the Grimbergen beers are brewed today by Alken-Maes with same attention to tradition and quality.

Arouse the gourmet within you!

Grimbergen abbey beer is the perfect partner for a delicious dinner. It arouses the ‘bon vivant’ in every one of us. A Grimbergen beer is the ideal accompaniment for numerous typical Belgian dishes, including chicken casserole, mussels and French fries, or the renowned tomato stuffed with shrimps. Thanks to the broad range, however, the taste of a Grimbergen beer can also make it a perfect companion for regional specialities.

Every dish has its Grimbergen.

Whatever dish and whichever kitchen you choose, you will always find a Grimbergen beer that harmonises perfectly with the palette of tastes on your plate.

• Grimbergen Blonde: a light fruity-flavoured abbey beer that is perfect with barbecues and white meats such as chicken or turkey.

Une bière brassée avec savoir se déguste avec sagesse.

• Grimbergen Double: a bittersweet flavour with hints of caramel, ideal with beef.

• Grimbergen Triple: a strong and mature flavour with a warm aftertaste, best served with fish.

• Grimbergen Optimo Bruno: a bittersweet flavour with a robust aftertaste that is a perfect companion for rich meats or desserts.

• Grimbergen Cuvée de l’Ermitage: a full flavour accentuated by a strong yet pleasant bitterness.

Best enjoyed after the meal.

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Ardet Nec Consumitur “Burned down but not destroyed”, or the many lives of an abbey. The first time in its history that the abbey became a victim of the destruction of war was in 1142, when it was completely devastated by a fire.

Rebuilding could not start until 1159, and it enjoyed major expansion in the centuries that followed. The religious wars of the 16th century, however, brought an end to this period of prosperity. The abbey was completely destroyed for the second time in 1566. However, in 1629 the major part of the restoration work had already commenced and the abbey rose again from its ashes.

This led to the phoenix being adopted as the symbol of the abbey’s vitality after this difficult period in its history. Under French rule, all church properties became state owned and the monks were forced to leave their abbey in 1796. It was put up for sale in 1798 and

almost immediately afterwards razed to the ground. It was not until 1845 that the construction commenced for a new abbey, and the phoenix rose from its ashes once more.

Alken-Maes Breweries: +32 (0)15 30 90 11 www.grimbergenbier.be

Beer brewed carefully, to be consumed with care.

Beers & Brewing

Grimbergen, a beer for real beer lovers.

Grimbergen is a contemporary abbey beer with its own superb character: the product of passion and authenticity, the roots of which reach back to abbey life in the Middle Ages. These traditional values are translated into a timeless context: absolute passion, striving for healthy pleasure and a lively personality.

The beer of hospitality.

In 1128, St. Norbert founded his abbey for the Norbertine order of monks in the Belgian village of Grimbergen in Brabant, near Brussels. The abbey was famous for its hospitality, providing a safe shelter for pilgrims and travellers in frequently turbulent times. The Norbertines of Grimbergen made their hospitality complete with their homebrewed beer. The monks of the abbey carefully handed down their perfected brewing recipes throughout the centuries, and the Grimbergen beers are brewed today by Alken-Maes with same attention to tradition and quality.

Arouse the gourmet within you!

Grimbergen abbey beer is the perfect partner for a delicious dinner. It arouses the ‘bon vivant’ in every one of us. A Grimbergen beer is the ideal accompaniment for numerous typical Belgian dishes, including chicken casserole, mussels and French fries, or the renowned tomato stuffed with shrimps. Thanks to the broad range, however, the taste of a Grimbergen beer can also make it a perfect companion for regional specialities.

Every dish has its Grimbergen.

Whatever dish and whichever kitchen you choose, you will always find a Grimbergen beer that harmonises perfectly with the palette of tastes on your plate.

• Grimbergen Blonde: a light fruity-flavoured abbey beer that is perfect with barbecues and white meats such as chicken or turkey.

Une bière brassée avec savoir se déguste avec sagesse.

• Grimbergen Double: a bittersweet flavour with hints of caramel, ideal with beef.

• Grimbergen Triple: a strong and mature flavour with a warm aftertaste, best served with fish.

• Grimbergen Optimo Bruno: a bittersweet flavour with a robust aftertaste that is a perfect companion for rich meats or desserts.

• Grimbergen Cuvée de l’Ermitage: a full flavour accentuated by a strong yet pleasant bitterness.

Best enjoyed after the meal.

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Best of Belgium

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Ardet Nec Consumitur “Burned down but not destroyed”, or the many lives of an abbey. The first time in its history that the abbey became a victim of the destruction of war was in 1142, when it was completely devastated by a fire.

Rebuilding could not start until 1159, and it enjoyed major expansion in the centuries that followed. The religious wars of the 16th century, however, brought an end to this period of prosperity. The abbey was completely destroyed for the second time in 1566. However, in 1629 the major part of the restoration work had already commenced and the abbey rose again from its ashes.

This led to the phoenix being adopted as the symbol of the abbey’s vitality after this difficult period in its history. Under French rule, all church properties became state owned and the monks were forced to leave their abbey in 1796. It was put up for sale in 1798 and

almost immediately afterwards razed to the ground. It was not until 1845 that the construction commenced for a new abbey, and the phoenix rose from its ashes once more.

Alken-Maes Breweries: +32 (0)15 30 90 11 www.grimbergenbier.be

Beer brewed carefully, to be consumed with care.

Beers & Brewing

Het Anker Brewery

the Gouden Carolus series, is a strong gold-blond beer of high fermentation. Matured in cellars and in the bottle, this Triple is brewed from pale malts 100% naturally, according to traditional methods.

Among Triples, this beer is a world leader – in 2002 it won the Gold Award at the World Beer Cup in the category Triple. Ideally enjoyed at 10°C, the Gouden Carolus Triple is a refreshing beer with full and strong flavor.

Gouden Carolus: Made in Belgium ... tasted throughout the world.

Gouden Carolus Ambrio, the third colour in the tri-colour, completes the series. This ambercoloured beer is brewed according to the centuries old recipe of the Mechelschen Bruynen. The recipe dates from 1421 and Het Anker is the only brewer today that brews this type of beer. The present version is slightly stronger than the original and has a finer balance of hop. It combines the full flavour of the brown beers with the freshness of the blond beers and can be drunk reasonably chilled.

Each year on the 24th of February, also the birthdate of Emperor Charles, Het Anker brews a limited quantity of the Gouden Carolus Cuvee of the Emperor. Each year this is a unique beer with its own special character. Based on the Gouden Carolus Classic, it tends to be a slightly stronger and more aromatic beer that can keep for years.

Bottled in 75 cl bottles and sealed with natural cork, this is a beer for special occasions and is ideal as a gift for friends and family.

It may have become a cliché - Belgian beer is famed across the world as the best there is.

But there are good reasons for this reputation, reasons that are delightfully illustrated by this story of brewery Het Anker in Mechelen. Quite simply, this is a brewer that typifies the tradition and commitment to the “special beer,” the Belgian beer, with its rich, distinctive flavours. A beer that is rooted in centuries of brewing tradition, and a beer that today is enjoyed by connoisseurs across the world.

Brewery Het Anker is one of the oldest breweries in Belgium, with historical references dating from 1369. Not only is it old but the brewery is also firmly rooted in the tradition of its home town Mechelen.

In the past, every Belgian town had its own brewers and own typical beers. The people of Mechelen drank the Mechelschen Bruynen, an ambercoloured beer that was so good that Emperor Charles V, ruler of the Burgundian Territories and King of Spain, had it shipped to Spain for him,

While steeped in tradition and committed to its local market in Mechelen and Belgium, brewery Het Anker is also internationally focused. Increasing demand for its beer across the world means that 65% of current production is exported. Beer lovers will find the Gouden Carolus in all corners of the world, from the whole of Europe, to the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil) and Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Australia). Wherever you may be, brewery Het Anker invites you to experience the Emperor’s beer from Mechelen. And when in Belgium, come visit the original brewery in its 15th century buildings or even stay at the brewer’s hotel, housed in the early brewing storage halls.

even after his abdication. An old chronicle from Mechelen mentions that this beer, also named Gouden Carolus after the golden coins of Emperor Charles, was typically drunk at the fox hunt, since “it fired both rider and steed with such enthusiasm for galloping that the hunt always took place in the best possible atmosphere.”

Contact: Brewery Het Anker Guido Gezellelaan 49 B-2800 Mechelen - Belgium +32 15 287 147 het.anker@telenet.be www.hetanker.be

Brewery Het Anker continues in this tradition.

The brewer’s base product, Gouden Carolus Classic, a warm coppery-coloured beer with rich bouquet, is known throughout Belgium as the “Emperor’s beer” from Mechelen. Beer lovers appreciate the beer for the way it combines the warmth of wine and the refreshing character of beer.

Its deep flavours make it an ideal combination with culinary specialties such as stews, sabayon and venison. Brewed with dark and aromatic malts using the classic infusion method, the beer can be stored almost indefinitely and improves with age.

The Gouden Carolus Triple, the second beer in

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Beers & Brewing

Het Anker Brewery

the Gouden Carolus series, is a strong gold-blond beer of high fermentation. Matured in cellars and in the bottle, this Triple is brewed from pale malts 100% naturally, according to traditional methods.

Among Triples, this beer is a world leader – in 2002 it won the Gold Award at the World Beer Cup in the category Triple. Ideally enjoyed at 10°C, the Gouden Carolus Triple is a refreshing beer with full and strong flavor.

Gouden Carolus: Made in Belgium ... tasted throughout the world.

Gouden Carolus Ambrio, the third colour in the tri-colour, completes the series. This ambercoloured beer is brewed according to the centuries old recipe of the Mechelschen Bruynen. The recipe dates from 1421 and Het Anker is the only brewer today that brews this type of beer. The present version is slightly stronger than the original and has a finer balance of hop. It combines the full flavour of the brown beers with the freshness of the blond beers and can be drunk reasonably chilled.

Each year on the 24th of February, also the birthdate of Emperor Charles, Het Anker brews a limited quantity of the Gouden Carolus Cuvee of the Emperor. Each year this is a unique beer with its own special character. Based on the Gouden Carolus Classic, it tends to be a slightly stronger and more aromatic beer that can keep for years.

Bottled in 75 cl bottles and sealed with natural cork, this is a beer for special occasions and is ideal as a gift for friends and family.

It may have become a cliché - Belgian beer is famed across the world as the best there is.

But there are good reasons for this reputation, reasons that are delightfully illustrated by this story of brewery Het Anker in Mechelen. Quite simply, this is a brewer that typifies the tradition and commitment to the “special beer,” the Belgian beer, with its rich, distinctive flavours. A beer that is rooted in centuries of brewing tradition, and a beer that today is enjoyed by connoisseurs across the world.

Brewery Het Anker is one of the oldest breweries in Belgium, with historical references dating from 1369. Not only is it old but the brewery is also firmly rooted in the tradition of its home town Mechelen.

In the past, every Belgian town had its own brewers and own typical beers. The people of Mechelen drank the Mechelschen Bruynen, an ambercoloured beer that was so good that Emperor Charles V, ruler of the Burgundian Territories and King of Spain, had it shipped to Spain for him,

While steeped in tradition and committed to its local market in Mechelen and Belgium, brewery Het Anker is also internationally focused. Increasing demand for its beer across the world means that 65% of current production is exported. Beer lovers will find the Gouden Carolus in all corners of the world, from the whole of Europe, to the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil) and Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Australia). Wherever you may be, brewery Het Anker invites you to experience the Emperor’s beer from Mechelen. And when in Belgium, come visit the original brewery in its 15th century buildings or even stay at the brewer’s hotel, housed in the early brewing storage halls.

even after his abdication. An old chronicle from Mechelen mentions that this beer, also named Gouden Carolus after the golden coins of Emperor Charles, was typically drunk at the fox hunt, since “it fired both rider and steed with such enthusiasm for galloping that the hunt always took place in the best possible atmosphere.”

Contact: Brewery Het Anker Guido Gezellelaan 49 B-2800 Mechelen - Belgium +32 15 287 147 het.anker@telenet.be www.hetanker.be

Brewery Het Anker continues in this tradition.

The brewer’s base product, Gouden Carolus Classic, a warm coppery-coloured beer with rich bouquet, is known throughout Belgium as the “Emperor’s beer” from Mechelen. Beer lovers appreciate the beer for the way it combines the warmth of wine and the refreshing character of beer.

Its deep flavours make it an ideal combination with culinary specialties such as stews, sabayon and venison. Brewed with dark and aromatic malts using the classic infusion method, the beer can be stored almost indefinitely and improves with age.

The Gouden Carolus Triple, the second beer in

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Beers & Brewing

Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck Located in Ingelmunster (West-Flanders, Belgium), this brewery celebrated in 2000 its 100th birthday and is well known for its special beers.

the bottle, has a brilliant golden-yellow colour, a refined aroma and a soft taste.

The history started in 1900. Emiel and Louisa Van Honsebrouck bought a small farm where they founded the brewery. Paul and Ernest Van Honsebrouck succeeded the founders in 1922.

The brewery had its big breakthrough in 1953 with Luc Van Honsebrouck. Thanks to his ideas the brewery became famous. Today, the next generation is ready to take over.

An imposing castle in a fairy-tale setting. The castle of Ingelmunster has belonged to the Van Honsebrouck family since 1986, which is why this unique monument has been chosen as the brewery’s logo for the future. From now on the company will be called ‘Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck’ - a flag which covers all the brewery’s activities.

Bacchus: the nectar of the gods With Bacchus, the brewery’s oldest beer, Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck goes back to basics. The retro look of this traditional Flemish beer exudes authenticity and craftsmanship. The style of the new neck and belly label is also used in the POS material.

When tasted from the appropriate, traditional glass drinking Bacchus is an exquisite sensation.

A broad palette of flavours Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck brews 3 different ranges of beer and Bacchus, each of which has its own, pronounced character.

Kasteelbier, Kasteel for short The flagship of the brewery, Kasteelbier, will in future be known, for short, as Kasteel. The Castle range, which any beer-lover should have in his or her cellar, is soon to be expanded and currently consists of Brown and Triple.

The revamped Brigand: from amber to blond In order to make it stand out even more from other beers in the same family, the Brigand has acquired a new, higher positioning. It shows a blonder tint and will now be presented in a tall, elegant glass. The new label projects strength and dynamism.

The Brigand symbolizes the Flemish resistance fighters of Ingelmunster, who, in

Kasteel Brune (11°) is brewed in the traditional manner and re-fermented in the bottle. A dark, soft beer with a mild,creamy taste. Kasteel Triple, also with an alcohol content of 11° and re-fermented in

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1798, fought tooth and nail to free the town from the French occupation forces. Brigand: a beer for people of character.

St. Louis Gueuze and fruit beers: true to age-old tradition Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck makes beers which honour the craftsmanship of the Fond Tradition, the traditional Gueuze Lambic. The Fond Tradition is the basis of all Gueuze and fruit beers. The St. Louis range guarantees taste and tradition.The light, fruity Premium range is particularly popular with women and young people.

Van Honsebrouck nv Oostrozebekestraat 43 8770 Ingelmunster Tel. 051 33 51 60 Fax 051 31 38 39 E-mail: info@vanhonsebrouck.be www.vanhonsebrouck.be

Beers & Brewing

Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck Located in Ingelmunster (West-Flanders, Belgium), this brewery celebrated in 2000 its 100th birthday and is well known for its special beers.

the bottle, has a brilliant golden-yellow colour, a refined aroma and a soft taste.

The history started in 1900. Emiel and Louisa Van Honsebrouck bought a small farm where they founded the brewery. Paul and Ernest Van Honsebrouck succeeded the founders in 1922.

The brewery had its big breakthrough in 1953 with Luc Van Honsebrouck. Thanks to his ideas the brewery became famous. Today, the next generation is ready to take over.

An imposing castle in a fairy-tale setting. The castle of Ingelmunster has belonged to the Van Honsebrouck family since 1986, which is why this unique monument has been chosen as the brewery’s logo for the future. From now on the company will be called ‘Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck’ - a flag which covers all the brewery’s activities.

Bacchus: the nectar of the gods With Bacchus, the brewery’s oldest beer, Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck goes back to basics. The retro look of this traditional Flemish beer exudes authenticity and craftsmanship. The style of the new neck and belly label is also used in the POS material.

When tasted from the appropriate, traditional glass drinking Bacchus is an exquisite sensation.

A broad palette of flavours Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck brews 3 different ranges of beer and Bacchus, each of which has its own, pronounced character.

Kasteelbier, Kasteel for short The flagship of the brewery, Kasteelbier, will in future be known, for short, as Kasteel. The Castle range, which any beer-lover should have in his or her cellar, is soon to be expanded and currently consists of Brown and Triple.

The revamped Brigand: from amber to blond In order to make it stand out even more from other beers in the same family, the Brigand has acquired a new, higher positioning. It shows a blonder tint and will now be presented in a tall, elegant glass. The new label projects strength and dynamism.

The Brigand symbolizes the Flemish resistance fighters of Ingelmunster, who, in

Kasteel Brune (11°) is brewed in the traditional manner and re-fermented in the bottle. A dark, soft beer with a mild,creamy taste. Kasteel Triple, also with an alcohol content of 11° and re-fermented in

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1798, fought tooth and nail to free the town from the French occupation forces. Brigand: a beer for people of character.

St. Louis Gueuze and fruit beers: true to age-old tradition Castle Brewery Van Honsebrouck makes beers which honour the craftsmanship of the Fond Tradition, the traditional Gueuze Lambic. The Fond Tradition is the basis of all Gueuze and fruit beers. The St. Louis range guarantees taste and tradition.The light, fruity Premium range is particularly popular with women and young people.

Van Honsebrouck nv Oostrozebekestraat 43 8770 Ingelmunster Tel. 051 33 51 60 Fax 051 31 38 39 E-mail: info@vanhonsebrouck.be www.vanhonsebrouck.be

It is amazing how much crisper the general experience of life becomes when your body is given a chance to develop a little strength.

Frank Duff, A Coder in Courierland, 03-20-05

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 9 Sports, Health & Beauty

It is amazing how much crisper the general experience of life becomes when your body is given a chance to develop a little strength.

Frank Duff, A Coder in Courierland, 03-20-05

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 9 Sports, Health & Beauty

Sports, Health & Beauty

Top Sports in Belgium

Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp

Take a look at three top events in cycling, tennis and athletics.

The Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp is one of the most important tournaments of the WTA Tour and is the biggest women indoor tennis tournament.

Reporters

The public interest is very intense: overall, 108,500 tickets were sold for the sixth edition of the Proximus Diamond Games in 2007. All important matches were live on national TV and were also broadcasted worldwide.

Tour of Belgium The Tour of Belgium is a professional five-day bicycle race which was held for the first time in 1908 and then annually – apart from a number of interruptions, notably for the two world wars - until 1990. After an absence of 12 years, in 2002 octagon cis decided to revive the Tour of Belgium. With the formation of the UCI ProTour in 2005, the organisation briefly came under pressure, but in the meantime the Tour of Belgium has again become an annual fixture on the calendar of the UCI Europe Tour. Each year during the last week of May, Belgium is enthralled by its own tour, which generates massive public interest along the Belgian roads. With both flat and hilly stretches and a time trial, the Tour of Belgium offers excellent opportunities for every type of rider.

The Antwerp Sportpaleis, the venue were the tournament takes place, has a history of success as a tennis location. It’s an excellent infrastructure with 15 000 seats and a total capacity of 200.000 visitors.

The Tour of Belgium boasts a dazzling winners list, featuring such major names as Rik Van Looy, Freddy Maertens and Eddy Merckx, and Tom Boonen’s victory in 2005 is one that will not be soon forgotten. Each year the organisation can rely on a strong field of participants, with ProTour teams from Belgium and abroad. In addition, the Tour of Belgium also offers young Belgian talents a chance to measure themselves against top names from the cycling world.

In 2007 Amélie Mauresmo won the tournament for the third time in five years and became the first player to win the event’s diamond racket estimated to be worth one million euros ($1.31 million).

The tour of Belgium is organised yearly end of May – beginning of June, check www.rondevanbelgie.be for more details.

Reporters

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Most of the top players played the Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp at least once over the past six editions. Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Patty Schnyder, Nadia Petrova, Elena Dementieva, Anastasia Myskina, …. are only a few of the players that particularly enjoy the atmosphere in Antwerp.

The Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp are held mid February.

More information: www.proximusdiamondgames.com

Sports, Health & Beauty

Top Sports in Belgium

Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp

Take a look at three top events in cycling, tennis and athletics.

The Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp is one of the most important tournaments of the WTA Tour and is the biggest women indoor tennis tournament.

Reporters

The public interest is very intense: overall, 108,500 tickets were sold for the sixth edition of the Proximus Diamond Games in 2007. All important matches were live on national TV and were also broadcasted worldwide.

Tour of Belgium The Tour of Belgium is a professional five-day bicycle race which was held for the first time in 1908 and then annually – apart from a number of interruptions, notably for the two world wars - until 1990. After an absence of 12 years, in 2002 octagon cis decided to revive the Tour of Belgium. With the formation of the UCI ProTour in 2005, the organisation briefly came under pressure, but in the meantime the Tour of Belgium has again become an annual fixture on the calendar of the UCI Europe Tour. Each year during the last week of May, Belgium is enthralled by its own tour, which generates massive public interest along the Belgian roads. With both flat and hilly stretches and a time trial, the Tour of Belgium offers excellent opportunities for every type of rider.

The Antwerp Sportpaleis, the venue were the tournament takes place, has a history of success as a tennis location. It’s an excellent infrastructure with 15 000 seats and a total capacity of 200.000 visitors.

The Tour of Belgium boasts a dazzling winners list, featuring such major names as Rik Van Looy, Freddy Maertens and Eddy Merckx, and Tom Boonen’s victory in 2005 is one that will not be soon forgotten. Each year the organisation can rely on a strong field of participants, with ProTour teams from Belgium and abroad. In addition, the Tour of Belgium also offers young Belgian talents a chance to measure themselves against top names from the cycling world.

In 2007 Amélie Mauresmo won the tournament for the third time in five years and became the first player to win the event’s diamond racket estimated to be worth one million euros ($1.31 million).

The tour of Belgium is organised yearly end of May – beginning of June, check www.rondevanbelgie.be for more details.

Reporters

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Most of the top players played the Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp at least once over the past six editions. Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin, Patty Schnyder, Nadia Petrova, Elena Dementieva, Anastasia Myskina, …. are only a few of the players that particularly enjoy the atmosphere in Antwerp.

The Proximus Diamond Games Antwerp are held mid February.

More information: www.proximusdiamondgames.com

Sports, Health & Beauty

Memorial Van Damme What initially was meant as a one time tribute to one of Belgian’s most popular and gifted sportsmen, has become a real “classic” in this country.

Indeed, the “Memorial Van Damme”, that will celebrate this year its 31st edition, has become one of the biggest sports events in Belgium and at the same time one of the greatest athletics competitions in the world.

Year after year, some 50.000 spectators fill the Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium for what is so much more than a traditional athletics meeting. The “Memorial”, as it is called in Belgium, is a thrilling cocktail of great sports, music, fireworks and entertainment of all sorts.

The world’s best athletes serve the crowd some 18 competitions, each worth an Olympic final; African drums accompany the long distance runners and when the atmosphere in the stadium has reached a peak, a mini-concert ends the party.

Nobody would have ever expected that, when seven sports writers decided, back in 1977, to organize this Memorial to commemorate Ivo Van Damme, the James Dean of Belgian athletics, who got tragically killed in a car accident, only five months after winning 2 silver medals (800m and 1500m) at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

But after the first edition, on 16 August 1977, the crowd asked for more and through the years, the Memorial has developed into a real “society event”, visited by the king, or the crown prince, half of the Belgian government and by thousands of loyal fans.

The 31st Memorial Van Damme will take place on Friday 14 september 2007.

More information: www.memorialvandamme.be

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Sports, Health & Beauty

Memorial Van Damme What initially was meant as a one time tribute to one of Belgian’s most popular and gifted sportsmen, has become a real “classic” in this country.

Indeed, the “Memorial Van Damme”, that will celebrate this year its 31st edition, has become one of the biggest sports events in Belgium and at the same time one of the greatest athletics competitions in the world.

Year after year, some 50.000 spectators fill the Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium for what is so much more than a traditional athletics meeting. The “Memorial”, as it is called in Belgium, is a thrilling cocktail of great sports, music, fireworks and entertainment of all sorts.

The world’s best athletes serve the crowd some 18 competitions, each worth an Olympic final; African drums accompany the long distance runners and when the atmosphere in the stadium has reached a peak, a mini-concert ends the party.

Nobody would have ever expected that, when seven sports writers decided, back in 1977, to organize this Memorial to commemorate Ivo Van Damme, the James Dean of Belgian athletics, who got tragically killed in a car accident, only five months after winning 2 silver medals (800m and 1500m) at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.

But after the first edition, on 16 August 1977, the crowd asked for more and through the years, the Memorial has developed into a real “society event”, visited by the king, or the crown prince, half of the Belgian government and by thousands of loyal fans.

The 31st Memorial Van Damme will take place on Friday 14 september 2007.

More information: www.memorialvandamme.be

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Sports, Health & Beauty

HealthCity HealthCity is an international fitness, sports and relaxation company.

At this moment the organisation counts more than 90 locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and it keeps on growing!

3. Basic: What?

Basic fitness for a basic price.

Improve your condition and strength for only 5,95 EUR a week in a pleasant and professional environment!

Facilities: - Cardio & power training - Group courses (Les Mills) 4. Corporate What?

Business fitness for companies at special conditions. The HealthCity team helps to improve the health of the employees of your company in a professional way. For more information, check www.healthcity.be.

Mission HealthCity is a full-service company with the mission to guide the members in a pleasant way with the improvement of their personal health. All this in the most complete leisure-membership of Europe.

Our mission is at the basis of very wide club facilities.

Besides classical fitness and group courses, we also offer the opportunity to practice a whole lot of other activities.

Do you like to play tennis, squash or badminton, do you love to hit a “hole in one” on a golf court, to climb the stars from heaven or the refreshment of diving into the swimming pool? At HealthCity it’s all possible.

After your workout it’s important to cool down and relax. This is also a possibility as a member of HealthCity.

Dream of an exotic destination in the sauna or steaming bath, get suntanned in the solarium or enjoy a drink in one of our lounge-bars.

To be able to answer everyone’s needs HealthCity developed 4 different concepts:

1. All-inclusive: What?

Very easy: all the facilities in the club are included in your membership. Fitness, group courses, drinks, sauna, steaming bath, solarium, DVD, … name it, we have it. And all this with the professional assistance of the HealthCity team!

With a GOLD-membership you can enter every HealthCity-club: around the corner, in the neighborhood of your company, at the seacoast, … wherever you are!

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Facilities: - cardio & power training - group courses (Les Mils) - tennis, squash, badminton, bowling, golf - sauna, steaming bath, solarium, swimming pool - lounge - childcare - free drinks and DVD’s 2. Ladies: What?

As the word says itself: a club only for ladies. In these exclusive and welcoming clubs you can enjoy all kind of facilities in a very personal setting.

Facilities: - Cardio & power training - Group courses (Les Mills) - Kinesis - Sauna, steaming bath, solarium - Lounge - Childcare - Free drinks and DVD’s

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History It all started 20 years ago in the Netherlands, thanks to the luminous ideas of René Moos, Eric Wilborts and Dennis Aarts. René and Eric have both been Dutch champion of tennis and played for several years on an international level. Dennis also comes from a sportive family, with an accent on fitness and judo.

Starting from their sportive background René and Eric began to manage tennis courts. The first “tennis park” became the “Arnolduspark”, in Hoofddorp, and quickly other parks followed. Thanks to the participation of Dennis fitness facilities were added. This leaded to diverse multifunctional clubs from which Eric Wilborts managed three in the South of the Netherlands and Dennis Aarts and René Moos eight in the East.

In 2004 the two regional organizations were brought together and baptized to HealthCity, a national organization. From then on everything went very quick. In 2005 Waterland bought half of the shares of HealthCity and became co- proprietor.

Thanks to Waterland the planned growing possibilities could be realized.

New clubs were constructed and various existing sport and fitness clubs were taken over.

In 2006 HealthCity crossed the border and expanded to Belgium and Germany. Now, the organization counts more than 25 clubs in Belgium, over 45 in the Netherlands, more than 20 in Germany and there is a lot more to come!

Visit our website www.healthcity.be and get started!

for our different locations: 070 222 009 headquarter: HealthCity Belgium n.v.

Slachthuislaan 74 2060 Antwerp

Sports, Health & Beauty

HealthCity HealthCity is an international fitness, sports and relaxation company.

At this moment the organisation counts more than 90 locations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and it keeps on growing!

3. Basic: What?

Basic fitness for a basic price.

Improve your condition and strength for only 5,95 EUR a week in a pleasant and professional environment!

Facilities: - Cardio & power training - Group courses (Les Mills) 4. Corporate What?

Business fitness for companies at special conditions. The HealthCity team helps to improve the health of the employees of your company in a professional way. For more information, check www.healthcity.be.

Mission HealthCity is a full-service company with the mission to guide the members in a pleasant way with the improvement of their personal health. All this in the most complete leisure-membership of Europe.

Our mission is at the basis of very wide club facilities.

Besides classical fitness and group courses, we also offer the opportunity to practice a whole lot of other activities.

Do you like to play tennis, squash or badminton, do you love to hit a “hole in one” on a golf court, to climb the stars from heaven or the refreshment of diving into the swimming pool? At HealthCity it’s all possible.

After your workout it’s important to cool down and relax. This is also a possibility as a member of HealthCity.

Dream of an exotic destination in the sauna or steaming bath, get suntanned in the solarium or enjoy a drink in one of our lounge-bars.

To be able to answer everyone’s needs HealthCity developed 4 different concepts:

1. All-inclusive: What?

Very easy: all the facilities in the club are included in your membership. Fitness, group courses, drinks, sauna, steaming bath, solarium, DVD, … name it, we have it. And all this with the professional assistance of the HealthCity team!

With a GOLD-membership you can enter every HealthCity-club: around the corner, in the neighborhood of your company, at the seacoast, … wherever you are!

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Facilities: - cardio & power training - group courses (Les Mils) - tennis, squash, badminton, bowling, golf - sauna, steaming bath, solarium, swimming pool - lounge - childcare - free drinks and DVD’s 2. Ladies: What?

As the word says itself: a club only for ladies. In these exclusive and welcoming clubs you can enjoy all kind of facilities in a very personal setting.

Facilities: - Cardio & power training - Group courses (Les Mills) - Kinesis - Sauna, steaming bath, solarium - Lounge - Childcare - Free drinks and DVD’s

Best of Belgium

169

History It all started 20 years ago in the Netherlands, thanks to the luminous ideas of René Moos, Eric Wilborts and Dennis Aarts. René and Eric have both been Dutch champion of tennis and played for several years on an international level. Dennis also comes from a sportive family, with an accent on fitness and judo.

Starting from their sportive background René and Eric began to manage tennis courts. The first “tennis park” became the “Arnolduspark”, in Hoofddorp, and quickly other parks followed. Thanks to the participation of Dennis fitness facilities were added. This leaded to diverse multifunctional clubs from which Eric Wilborts managed three in the South of the Netherlands and Dennis Aarts and René Moos eight in the East.

In 2004 the two regional organizations were brought together and baptized to HealthCity, a national organization. From then on everything went very quick. In 2005 Waterland bought half of the shares of HealthCity and became co- proprietor.

Thanks to Waterland the planned growing possibilities could be realized.

New clubs were constructed and various existing sport and fitness clubs were taken over.

In 2006 HealthCity crossed the border and expanded to Belgium and Germany. Now, the organization counts more than 25 clubs in Belgium, over 45 in the Netherlands, more than 20 in Germany and there is a lot more to come!

Visit our website www.healthcity.be and get started!

for our different locations: 070 222 009 headquarter: HealthCity Belgium n.v.

Slachthuislaan 74 2060 Antwerp

Sports, Health & Beauty

ｶ ﾊｱ ﾗ

Yoaké: Futuristic Cosmetic Concept Powered

by Modern Biotech Science.

love to live

Yoaké is Japanese for ‘daybreak’. Figuratively it means regaining your energy, feeling reborn.

enjoy life

stop the signs of time

and discover Longevity with

w w w . y o a k e . c o m

results you want.

ingredients).

Wherever technically possible, we use ingredients of vegetable or mineral origin, not from animals or petroleum. We use multifunctional antioxidants, standardised phytonutrients and other active ingredients that have proven their bioefficiency in scientific studies – and we use them in the same concentrations as in these studies.

At Yoaké we don’t want to pull the wool over your eyes; we are a no-nonsense company, simply selecting the best ingredients according to safety and visibility of results, whether they be of vegetable or of synthetic* origin.

Because it has been scientifically proven that chronic inflammation is the primary cause of aging, we add soothing ingredients to every one of our formulas, even to those not designed specifically to treat irrations.

The only animals we test our products on are people, so we can be sure our products really work.

Our mission is to help you grow older youthfully. Yoaké is your personal skin and lifestyle expert, helping you stem the flow of time for a while.

Yoaké helps you spend time on yourself in order to rejuvenate yourself, relax and feel fit.

Eastern Relaxation, Western Rejuvenation Yoaké has made a selection for you of a variety of wonderfully relaxing Eastern methods of treatment and of techniques that are visibly rejuvenating. Your Yoaké lifestyle consultant gives you exclusively manual treatment from beginning to end.

After a single Yoaké visit you feel completely Yoaké: you feel like a new person. Yoaké advises you on how to get fit again, deal with minor skin problems and slow down the aging process. Yoaké makes you feel good so you can function better and enjoy greater success in what you do.

Each Yoaké visit is preceded by a thoroughgoing personal analysis of your skin and lifestyle.

This moment of personal attention guarantees appropriate treatment and product advice and leads to results that you can both feel and see.

Yoaké’s certified partners offer peacefull Feng Shui interiors in fashionable, spacious rooms (cocoons). They are trained in the best beauty-care methods by international cosmetologists.

Yoaké: Attractive Packaging Outside, High Performance from Within.

All of Yoaké’s skin-care products are developed according to strict guidelines that guarantee the

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All our packaging is recyclable, in order to contribute to the preservation of our environment.

Cosmetics Myths Deflated at Last Many brands claim to be ‘natural’, not ‘chemical’. In that case cosmetics brands claiming not to contain any chemical substances would be made of light or electricity!

We cannot underestimate the consumer, continuing to want to make him/her believe that their products are 100% natural, organic, etc., while this is not the case (as you quickly discover if you can understand the list of

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Getting safe and visible results with an emulsion with a pleasant smell and texture, powered by science: that is how Yoaké defines ‘natural’. Whether the ingredients are of organic or synthetic* origin is not of the essence: sometimes vegetable ingredients are a better option, sometimes synthetic ones are. *Synthetic: man-made composition not occurring naturally.

Loungevity: Enjoy life through a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern biotech science for better life quality and active aging.

We all love to live longer, Yoaké supports you on the path to happy Longevity.

People who previously have not been at all interested in cosmetics are now showing an interest in the value-innovating Loungevity concept.

Thanks to the progress made in medical science, we are living longer and longer.

The art is to grow older actively and to delay the negative effects of aging for as long as possible.

Sports, Health & Beauty

ｶ ﾊｱ ﾗ

Yoaké: Futuristic Cosmetic Concept Powered

by Modern Biotech Science.

love to live

Yoaké is Japanese for ‘daybreak’. Figuratively it means regaining your energy, feeling reborn.

enjoy life

stop the signs of time

and discover Longevity with

w w w . y o a k e . c o m

results you want.

ingredients).

Wherever technically possible, we use ingredients of vegetable or mineral origin, not from animals or petroleum. We use multifunctional antioxidants, standardised phytonutrients and other active ingredients that have proven their bioefficiency in scientific studies – and we use them in the same concentrations as in these studies.

At Yoaké we don’t want to pull the wool over your eyes; we are a no-nonsense company, simply selecting the best ingredients according to safety and visibility of results, whether they be of vegetable or of synthetic* origin.

Because it has been scientifically proven that chronic inflammation is the primary cause of aging, we add soothing ingredients to every one of our formulas, even to those not designed specifically to treat irrations.

The only animals we test our products on are people, so we can be sure our products really work.

Our mission is to help you grow older youthfully. Yoaké is your personal skin and lifestyle expert, helping you stem the flow of time for a while.

Yoaké helps you spend time on yourself in order to rejuvenate yourself, relax and feel fit.

Eastern Relaxation, Western Rejuvenation Yoaké has made a selection for you of a variety of wonderfully relaxing Eastern methods of treatment and of techniques that are visibly rejuvenating. Your Yoaké lifestyle consultant gives you exclusively manual treatment from beginning to end.

After a single Yoaké visit you feel completely Yoaké: you feel like a new person. Yoaké advises you on how to get fit again, deal with minor skin problems and slow down the aging process. Yoaké makes you feel good so you can function better and enjoy greater success in what you do.

Each Yoaké visit is preceded by a thoroughgoing personal analysis of your skin and lifestyle.

This moment of personal attention guarantees appropriate treatment and product advice and leads to results that you can both feel and see.

Yoaké’s certified partners offer peacefull Feng Shui interiors in fashionable, spacious rooms (cocoons). They are trained in the best beauty-care methods by international cosmetologists.

Yoaké: Attractive Packaging Outside, High Performance from Within.

All of Yoaké’s skin-care products are developed according to strict guidelines that guarantee the

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All our packaging is recyclable, in order to contribute to the preservation of our environment.

Cosmetics Myths Deflated at Last Many brands claim to be ‘natural’, not ‘chemical’. In that case cosmetics brands claiming not to contain any chemical substances would be made of light or electricity!

We cannot underestimate the consumer, continuing to want to make him/her believe that their products are 100% natural, organic, etc., while this is not the case (as you quickly discover if you can understand the list of

Best of Belgium

171

Getting safe and visible results with an emulsion with a pleasant smell and texture, powered by science: that is how Yoaké defines ‘natural’. Whether the ingredients are of organic or synthetic* origin is not of the essence: sometimes vegetable ingredients are a better option, sometimes synthetic ones are. *Synthetic: man-made composition not occurring naturally.

Loungevity: Enjoy life through a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern biotech science for better life quality and active aging.

We all love to live longer, Yoaké supports you on the path to happy Longevity.

People who previously have not been at all interested in cosmetics are now showing an interest in the value-innovating Loungevity concept.

Thanks to the progress made in medical science, we are living longer and longer.

The art is to grow older actively and to delay the negative effects of aging for as long as possible.

Sports, Health & Beauty

Yoaké’s scientists, attached to universities of world renown (such as the UCLA in Los Angeles), are biotechnology researchers. Biotechnology, the study of genes and proteins, is ever further deciphering the biology of life, searching for health and cosmetics ingredients (peptides, etc.) that are able to communicate with biological cells in order to enable us to live an active life for as long as possible.

The Biotechnological Era: Yoaké High Performance Products Powered by Biotech Science Lifestyle medication, stress-alleviation and rejuvenation (i.e., longevity) will be the catalytic force pushing the economy ahead during the rest of the 21st century. After the information era, the 21st century will be the biotech era. Thanks to the

unravelling of the human genome, we are more able te slow down the signs of aging through the discovery of biotechnological ingredients that challenge your body’s cells to regenerate and repair itself. Modern biotechnology is able to finetune the properties of plant ingredients and bacteria by affecting the information carrier that lies at the basis of all of an organism’s characteristics, DNA. The entire human DNA code has now been identified by the human genome project (an international organisation of scientists). Knowledge of the information stored in human DNA and the possibility, using DNA-technology, of finetuning the properties of plants so that they can communicate better with human cells is extremely useful in the treatment of the effects of aging, for example on the skin. Yoaké makes use of such ingredients and biotechnological know-how in its high-performance products.

interiors, and employ specialists in effective skin rejuvenation, fitness and wellness, under continual quality supervision by Yoaké. You are given personal attention and effective solutions for a better quality of life aimed at slowing down the aging process as much as possible.

Yoaké Markets Products Using these Biotechnological Ingredients Personal guidance from the age of 30 for staying actively young and enjoying a healthy life (with Loungevity Coaching, Loungevity Cosmetics, Loungevity Treatments and Loungevity Healthfood) ∙ Loungevity Cosmetics (high-performance cosmetics, powered by innovative biotech science) ∙ Loungevity Healthfood (high-performance nutricosmetics, powered by innovative biotech science) ∙ Loungevity Treatments (Eastern wellness methods combined with biotechnological rejuvenating techniques) ∙ Loungevity Coaching (computer-aided coaching in nutrition, exercise and mental development)

The LoungeSpa is a Yoaké concept letting you discover successively: ∙ A trendy shop with cosmetics and fitness products; ∙ A cocoon where we get to know you.

Here you are “scanned” by a recognised Yoaké Loungevity Expert using the various Yoaké methods of analysis (Yoaskin&product analysis, Oriental Yoalifestyle diagnosis, Loungevity diagnosis and FaceXplorer), and Spa and home treatments are recommended in a nononsense and absolutely scientific way with the purpose of re-energising your whole organism. ∙ Then you are taken to the wellness and cosmetics lounges. These are treatment and relaxation spaces each featuring a private resting lounge with open fireplace, colour therapy, LCD projection of scenes from nature, etc., for you alone or together with your partner. There are no traditional “cabins”. Depending on the LoungeSpa you will also discover private spaces for:

-relaxation treatment

-cosmetic treatment

-sauna

-traditional hammam

-thalasso treatment

-therapeutic shower, Jacuzzi, etc.

You’ll find yourself in a fashionable, peaceful Feng Shui environment, specially developed for Yoaké and by Yoaké. You’ll be at the centre of the world and receive advice on how to live longer and more comfortably.

2. Yoaké LoungevityZone The LoungevityZone is a new and fashionable concept store, unique in the world and adapted to the social context of medical progress and its impact on aging. ∙ A Yoaké LoungevityZone® is a shop where you are advised by LoungevityExperts, and where you can find products and short and effective treatment methods for staying young longer. ∙ We do not focus on people who are only “superficially” interested in cosmetics: LoungevityZones are aimed at everybody who is curious to know more about aging, from 30 to 90 years of age. ∙ We all know that we are going to live longer; the question is in what state.

We are all born with “resources” for youthfulness, and it is Yoaké’s mission to preserve or repair these resources in an agreeable way by working on the skin and on the internal organism. This is done according to a personal diagnosis using specially developed software.

Just like the Yoaké Loungespas, the Skinspas must meet strict requirements regarding interiors and customer satisfaction norms.

International Yoaké Masterpartners (Exclusive Distributors of the Yoaké Brand) Coming Soon: ∙ 2007: Yoaké Germany ∙ 2007: Yoaké France ∙ 2007: Yoaké USA ∙ 2008-2011: India, Brazil, China, Canada

YOAKE International 8400 Oostende +32(0)495/23 14 14 info@yoake.com www.yoake.com

Where You Can Find Yoaké: 1. Yoaké LoungeSpa The LoungeSpa is the ultimate Yoaké, located in a fashionable neighbourhood or hotel. Yoaké LoungeSpas are subject to strict norms regarding

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We attend to our guests with advice and exclusively manual treatment for their entire visit.

3. Yoaké SkinSpa The Yoaké SkinSpa is a certified Yoaké in an existing beauty parlour where an exclusive Yoaké space has been created to provide an oasis of peace, and where rejuvenation and relaxation treatments, personal skin analyses and professional skin advice are given in a mythbusting style by an evaluated Yoaké skin and wellness expert.

Outlets (in Hotels and Beauty-Parlours) Today Yoaké has: ∙ 25 Yoaké Spas in Belgium and one in Luxemburg ∙ 25 Yoaké Spas in the Netherlands ∙ 10 Yoaké Spas in Russia

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∙ After treatment you can relax in the relaxation rooms, which often have an open fireplace as well as health snacks, reading material, etc.

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Sports, Health & Beauty

Yoaké’s scientists, attached to universities of world renown (such as the UCLA in Los Angeles), are biotechnology researchers. Biotechnology, the study of genes and proteins, is ever further deciphering the biology of life, searching for health and cosmetics ingredients (peptides, etc.) that are able to communicate with biological cells in order to enable us to live an active life for as long as possible.

The Biotechnological Era: Yoaké High Performance Products Powered by Biotech Science Lifestyle medication, stress-alleviation and rejuvenation (i.e., longevity) will be the catalytic force pushing the economy ahead during the rest of the 21st century. After the information era, the 21st century will be the biotech era. Thanks to the

unravelling of the human genome, we are more able te slow down the signs of aging through the discovery of biotechnological ingredients that challenge your body’s cells to regenerate and repair itself. Modern biotechnology is able to finetune the properties of plant ingredients and bacteria by affecting the information carrier that lies at the basis of all of an organism’s characteristics, DNA. The entire human DNA code has now been identified by the human genome project (an international organisation of scientists). Knowledge of the information stored in human DNA and the possibility, using DNA-technology, of finetuning the properties of plants so that they can communicate better with human cells is extremely useful in the treatment of the effects of aging, for example on the skin. Yoaké makes use of such ingredients and biotechnological know-how in its high-performance products.

interiors, and employ specialists in effective skin rejuvenation, fitness and wellness, under continual quality supervision by Yoaké. You are given personal attention and effective solutions for a better quality of life aimed at slowing down the aging process as much as possible.

Yoaké Markets Products Using these Biotechnological Ingredients Personal guidance from the age of 30 for staying actively young and enjoying a healthy life (with Loungevity Coaching, Loungevity Cosmetics, Loungevity Treatments and Loungevity Healthfood) ∙ Loungevity Cosmetics (high-performance cosmetics, powered by innovative biotech science) ∙ Loungevity Healthfood (high-performance nutricosmetics, powered by innovative biotech science) ∙ Loungevity Treatments (Eastern wellness methods combined with biotechnological rejuvenating techniques) ∙ Loungevity Coaching (computer-aided coaching in nutrition, exercise and mental development)

The LoungeSpa is a Yoaké concept letting you discover successively: ∙ A trendy shop with cosmetics and fitness products; ∙ A cocoon where we get to know you.

Here you are “scanned” by a recognised Yoaké Loungevity Expert using the various Yoaké methods of analysis (Yoaskin&product analysis, Oriental Yoalifestyle diagnosis, Loungevity diagnosis and FaceXplorer), and Spa and home treatments are recommended in a nononsense and absolutely scientific way with the purpose of re-energising your whole organism. ∙ Then you are taken to the wellness and cosmetics lounges. These are treatment and relaxation spaces each featuring a private resting lounge with open fireplace, colour therapy, LCD projection of scenes from nature, etc., for you alone or together with your partner. There are no traditional “cabins”. Depending on the LoungeSpa you will also discover private spaces for:

-relaxation treatment

-cosmetic treatment

-sauna

-traditional hammam

-thalasso treatment

-therapeutic shower, Jacuzzi, etc.

You’ll find yourself in a fashionable, peaceful Feng Shui environment, specially developed for Yoaké and by Yoaké. You’ll be at the centre of the world and receive advice on how to live longer and more comfortably.

2. Yoaké LoungevityZone The LoungevityZone is a new and fashionable concept store, unique in the world and adapted to the social context of medical progress and its impact on aging. ∙ A Yoaké LoungevityZone® is a shop where you are advised by LoungevityExperts, and where you can find products and short and effective treatment methods for staying young longer. ∙ We do not focus on people who are only “superficially” interested in cosmetics: LoungevityZones are aimed at everybody who is curious to know more about aging, from 30 to 90 years of age. ∙ We all know that we are going to live longer; the question is in what state.

We are all born with “resources” for youthfulness, and it is Yoaké’s mission to preserve or repair these resources in an agreeable way by working on the skin and on the internal organism. This is done according to a personal diagnosis using specially developed software.

Just like the Yoaké Loungespas, the Skinspas must meet strict requirements regarding interiors and customer satisfaction norms.

International Yoaké Masterpartners (Exclusive Distributors of the Yoaké Brand) Coming Soon: ∙ 2007: Yoaké Germany ∙ 2007: Yoaké France ∙ 2007: Yoaké USA ∙ 2008-2011: India, Brazil, China, Canada

YOAKE International 8400 Oostende +32(0)495/23 14 14 info@yoake.com www.yoake.com

Where You Can Find Yoaké: 1. Yoaké LoungeSpa The LoungeSpa is the ultimate Yoaké, located in a fashionable neighbourhood or hotel. Yoaké LoungeSpas are subject to strict norms regarding

Best of Belgium

We attend to our guests with advice and exclusively manual treatment for their entire visit.

3. Yoaké SkinSpa The Yoaké SkinSpa is a certified Yoaké in an existing beauty parlour where an exclusive Yoaké space has been created to provide an oasis of peace, and where rejuvenation and relaxation treatments, personal skin analyses and professional skin advice are given in a mythbusting style by an evaluated Yoaké skin and wellness expert.

Outlets (in Hotels and Beauty-Parlours) Today Yoaké has: ∙ 25 Yoaké Spas in Belgium and one in Luxemburg ∙ 25 Yoaké Spas in the Netherlands ∙ 10 Yoaké Spas in Russia

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∙ After treatment you can relax in the relaxation rooms, which often have an open fireplace as well as health snacks, reading material, etc.

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The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.

Harold B. Lee (1899 - 1973)

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 10 Homes & Interiors

The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.

Harold B. Lee (1899 - 1973)

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Chapter 10 Homes & Interiors

Homes & Interiors

Flamant Home Interiors The Family Touch The Flamant Home Interiors style has instant appeal. Everywhere in the world, or almost, in Brussels, Paris, London, Milan and Tokyo, Flamant is today synonymous with a timeless concept, always original, an essential complement of modern decor successfully blending comfort, elegance and creativity. A style that is modern, but cosy at the same time, 100 % conceived in Belgium, yet exported to every corner of the globe.

The Flamant Home Interiors collection offers a selection of more than ten thousand different items and collections that are renewed twice a year, distributed across several lines: garden-and home furniture, accessories, lighting, tableware, fabrics, paints and wallpapers.

Moderation And Immoderation Flamant Home Interiors always has the most appropriate solution for your interior.

In step with latter-day comfort, with one foot in the past and the other in modernity, Flamant is also a team of interior architects, decorators and designers who carry out complete decorative projects for interiors of today.

Flamant Home Interiors started out as a small family business. A dynamic company that has just grown and grown and currently exports to countries as far afield as Japan and Dubai. It offers a style that creates a feeling in the home, yet is ultimately the achievement of three brothers and their team.

Together they came up with an interior design concept that has its roots in “the good life”, a juxtaposition of styles of yesterday and today, willingly traditional styles, but with reinvented traditionalism and, as a result, entirely ‘à la mode’.

Alex, Geo and Jacques Flamant have a taste for homes that are lived in. Beautiful family homes that have the charm of long-standing friends. Today the Flamant brothers and their team design their own

collections. As homage to a handicraft tradition resolutely inscribed in the family genes.

Taste And Colour In the world of interior design, people now speak of the Flamant ‘spirit’: a way of assembling interiors that give the impression of having existed forever, yet suggesting a very present humanity by their arrangement and their sheen of daily use. Clean lines, well-designed furniture, and luminous spaces where the essential is revisited, Flamant Home Interiors respond to the way one wants to live today.

Intransigent about colours, inflexible about materials and finishing, everything that is created for the house is imbued with this requirement.

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Throughout the entire world, Flamant has built a solid network of its own stores, in-store corners, multi-brand stores and affiliated concepts, which are the result of loyal partnership relations. A remarkable distribution system, which has enjoyed great success, is continuously growing and evolving, and is therefore constantly conquering new markets.

www.flamant.com

Homes & Interiors

Flamant Home Interiors The Family Touch The Flamant Home Interiors style has instant appeal. Everywhere in the world, or almost, in Brussels, Paris, London, Milan and Tokyo, Flamant is today synonymous with a timeless concept, always original, an essential complement of modern decor successfully blending comfort, elegance and creativity. A style that is modern, but cosy at the same time, 100 % conceived in Belgium, yet exported to every corner of the globe.

The Flamant Home Interiors collection offers a selection of more than ten thousand different items and collections that are renewed twice a year, distributed across several lines: garden-and home furniture, accessories, lighting, tableware, fabrics, paints and wallpapers.

Moderation And Immoderation Flamant Home Interiors always has the most appropriate solution for your interior.

In step with latter-day comfort, with one foot in the past and the other in modernity, Flamant is also a team of interior architects, decorators and designers who carry out complete decorative projects for interiors of today.

Flamant Home Interiors started out as a small family business. A dynamic company that has just grown and grown and currently exports to countries as far afield as Japan and Dubai. It offers a style that creates a feeling in the home, yet is ultimately the achievement of three brothers and their team.

Together they came up with an interior design concept that has its roots in “the good life”, a juxtaposition of styles of yesterday and today, willingly traditional styles, but with reinvented traditionalism and, as a result, entirely ‘à la mode’.

Alex, Geo and Jacques Flamant have a taste for homes that are lived in. Beautiful family homes that have the charm of long-standing friends. Today the Flamant brothers and their team design their own

collections. As homage to a handicraft tradition resolutely inscribed in the family genes.

Taste And Colour In the world of interior design, people now speak of the Flamant ‘spirit’: a way of assembling interiors that give the impression of having existed forever, yet suggesting a very present humanity by their arrangement and their sheen of daily use. Clean lines, well-designed furniture, and luminous spaces where the essential is revisited, Flamant Home Interiors respond to the way one wants to live today.

Intransigent about colours, inflexible about materials and finishing, everything that is created for the house is imbued with this requirement.

176

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177

Throughout the entire world, Flamant has built a solid network of its own stores, in-store corners, multi-brand stores and affiliated concepts, which are the result of loyal partnership relations. A remarkable distribution system, which has enjoyed great success, is continuously growing and evolving, and is therefore constantly conquering new markets.

www.flamant.com

Only the educated are free.

Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Discourses

Chapter 11 International Schooling

Photography:

Only the educated are free.

Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Discourses

Chapter 11 International Schooling

Photography:

International Schooling

International Schooling in Belgium In the world of international education, Belgium is noted for the quality of its schools. Brussels itself has three large English-language international schools - British School of Brussels, International School of Brussels and St. John’s International School, Waterloo – as well as a number of smaller schools.

Antwerp is equally well served by Antwerp International School.

Together, more than 4,000 students, drawn from 70 nationalities, are given access to a range of high quality educational programmes (International Baccalaureate Diploma, A-levels, and Advanced Placement Programme), as well as some of the best athletic and aesthetic programmes in the world. Driven by generally inclusive admissions policies, each of these schools are also adept at providing support to students for whom English is not the first language , or who have a range of learning styles or difficulties.

Student populations are drawn largely from corporations, with over 500 companies relying upon the schools. With many European diplomatic families using the European School system, the international schools also tend to serve the embassies of non-European countries, including many from developing economies (frequently supported through financial-aid programmes operated by the schools). This way, the schools are crucial in supporting both corporate and diplomatic presence in Belgium.

One key challenge faced by Belgian international schools is that they operate without any added ‘financial aid’ of their own. Unlike schools in Austria, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the international schools in Belgium receive none of the major subsidies, tax-free status or the provision and maintenance of school buildings enjoyed by their European counterparts. The international schools in Belgium, supported by corporations and business associations, are working determinedly to address this issue, so as to bring school fees in line with neighbouring countries. Notwithstanding this challenge, the Belgian international schools have earned a reputation for excellence that makes them stand out against many of their European counterparts. The Belgian international schools are truly a critical part of the infrastructure that allows Belgium to maintain its status as a European centre for business and diplomacy.

Kevin Bartlett, Director, International School of Brussels Roland Chant, Director, British School of Brussels Joe Doenges, Director, St John’s International School, Waterloo Stephen Murray, Director, Antwerp International School

Photography: Walter Boermeester

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International Schooling

International Schooling in Belgium In the world of international education, Belgium is noted for the quality of its schools. Brussels itself has three large English-language international schools - British School of Brussels, International School of Brussels and St. John’s International School, Waterloo – as well as a number of smaller schools.

Antwerp is equally well served by Antwerp International School.

Together, more than 4,000 students, drawn from 70 nationalities, are given access to a range of high quality educational programmes (International Baccalaureate Diploma, A-levels, and Advanced Placement Programme), as well as some of the best athletic and aesthetic programmes in the world. Driven by generally inclusive admissions policies, each of these schools are also adept at providing support to students for whom English is not the first language , or who have a range of learning styles or difficulties.

Student populations are drawn largely from corporations, with over 500 companies relying upon the schools. With many European diplomatic families using the European School system, the international schools also tend to serve the embassies of non-European countries, including many from developing economies (frequently supported through financial-aid programmes operated by the schools). This way, the schools are crucial in supporting both corporate and diplomatic presence in Belgium.

One key challenge faced by Belgian international schools is that they operate without any added ‘financial aid’ of their own. Unlike schools in Austria, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the international schools in Belgium receive none of the major subsidies, tax-free status or the provision and maintenance of school buildings enjoyed by their European counterparts. The international schools in Belgium, supported by corporations and business associations, are working determinedly to address this issue, so as to bring school fees in line with neighbouring countries. Notwithstanding this challenge, the Belgian international schools have earned a reputation for excellence that makes them stand out against many of their European counterparts. The Belgian international schools are truly a critical part of the infrastructure that allows Belgium to maintain its status as a European centre for business and diplomacy.

Kevin Bartlett, Director, International School of Brussels Roland Chant, Director, British School of Brussels Joe Doenges, Director, St John’s International School, Waterloo Stephen Murray, Director, Antwerp International School

Photography: Walter Boermeester

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International Schooling

The International School of Brussels (ISB) Everyone included, challenged, successful

our school vision, then professional learning is another. ISB is committed to offering a range of focused professional development experiences, provided on our own campus by course leaders of exceptional quality with whom we have an extended partnership. These courses, or Professional Learning Institutes, support the development and refinement of the knowledge and skills teachers need to serve successfully a multi-lingual, multi-cultural student body with multiple learning preferences.

This professional learning is supported by an extensive and sophisticated Information Technology network, as is all learning at ISB. We are committed to learning through technology as a critical feature of our aims for our students. ISB operates a wireless campus and all students, from elementary school upwards, are provided with a tablet pc of the highest specifications. All of this operates within an e-learning community, so that students and teachers can freely exchange data, knowledge and perceptions. Technology enables our students to access information, acquire skills and demonstrate understanding, all of which are central to our learning vision.

of ‘inclusive learning’ is a major challenge that many international schools opt to avoid. At ISB however, there is a commitment to serving each member of the globally mobile families that make up the school’s community. This means accepting students with mild to severe learning disabilities, and making sure that each and every student is successful in her or his own right. These students are supported in a number of ways, according to need, by a team of specially trained Those statistics might make some schools sit back and rest on their traditions and reputations. Not so with ISB, where the ‘tradition’ learning support teachers. is to keep pushing forward. This commitment to continuous However, the critical understanding improvement is driven by a succinct, powerful purpose, captured in is that success in an inclusive school the school mission statement: requires the commitment of everyone.

This, in turn, means that all teachers need “Everyone included, challenged, successful” to be skilled in differentiating instruction.

So, if inclusive learning is one pillar of This statement is, in fact, deceptively simple. In fact, the provision Established in 1951, the International School of Brussels (ISB) is the oldest English-medium school in Belgium. With around 1450 students, it is today also the largest. However, there are a number of other reasons why this school has such an outstanding reputation in the world of international education: the most extensive sports programme in Europe, a major commitment to the arts, and a record of academic success that regularly sees the school outperforming the global mean in external examinations such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma, Advanced Placement and the International Schools Assessment.

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Obviously ISB, while operating a tech-rich virtual environment, also operates a real, physical environment, in the form of a beautiful, forested, 40 acre campus. This environment is

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183

very important to us, and is used as a context for the final pillar in our vision for ISB: environmental learning. Through a range of activities, captured under the umbrella of ‘ISB Earth’, students and adults in our community are engaged in everything from designing environmental curriculum to conducting energy audits, from developing a ‘green’ bus service to mapping nature trails in the forest, from recycling all products to reducing paper use through technology. We do so in partnership with major influencers of environmental policy, including Brussels Environment Agency, local and regional experts, as well as the European Commission. ISB is therefore the only school to be awarded an Eco-Star for environmental action and was recently invited by the European Commission to act as a ‘Campaign Associate’ in the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign.

So, just as we continue to work on the ‘three A’s’ of academics, arts, athletics that make up our core programme, we continue to push forward on the four pillars of our distinctive learning vision: inclusive learning, professional learning, environmental learning and learning through technology. And of course, as this vision becomes increasingly real, ISB becomes an increasingly exciting school in which to work and learn.

For more information about ISB, please consult our website: www.isb.be

International Schooling

The International School of Brussels (ISB) Everyone included, challenged, successful

our school vision, then professional learning is another. ISB is committed to offering a range of focused professional development experiences, provided on our own campus by course leaders of exceptional quality with whom we have an extended partnership. These courses, or Professional Learning Institutes, support the development and refinement of the knowledge and skills teachers need to serve successfully a multi-lingual, multi-cultural student body with multiple learning preferences.

This professional learning is supported by an extensive and sophisticated Information Technology network, as is all learning at ISB. We are committed to learning through technology as a critical feature of our aims for our students. ISB operates a wireless campus and all students, from elementary school upwards, are provided with a tablet pc of the highest specifications. All of this operates within an e-learning community, so that students and teachers can freely exchange data, knowledge and perceptions. Technology enables our students to access information, acquire skills and demonstrate understanding, all of which are central to our learning vision.

of ‘inclusive learning’ is a major challenge that many international schools opt to avoid. At ISB however, there is a commitment to serving each member of the globally mobile families that make up the school’s community. This means accepting students with mild to severe learning disabilities, and making sure that each and every student is successful in her or his own right. These students are supported in a number of ways, according to need, by a team of specially trained Those statistics might make some schools sit back and rest on their traditions and reputations. Not so with ISB, where the ‘tradition’ learning support teachers. is to keep pushing forward. This commitment to continuous However, the critical understanding improvement is driven by a succinct, powerful purpose, captured in is that success in an inclusive school the school mission statement: requires the commitment of everyone.

This, in turn, means that all teachers need “Everyone included, challenged, successful” to be skilled in differentiating instruction.

So, if inclusive learning is one pillar of This statement is, in fact, deceptively simple. In fact, the provision Established in 1951, the International School of Brussels (ISB) is the oldest English-medium school in Belgium. With around 1450 students, it is today also the largest. However, there are a number of other reasons why this school has such an outstanding reputation in the world of international education: the most extensive sports programme in Europe, a major commitment to the arts, and a record of academic success that regularly sees the school outperforming the global mean in external examinations such as the International Baccalaureate Diploma, Advanced Placement and the International Schools Assessment.

182

Best of Belgium

Obviously ISB, while operating a tech-rich virtual environment, also operates a real, physical environment, in the form of a beautiful, forested, 40 acre campus. This environment is

Best of Belgium

183

very important to us, and is used as a context for the final pillar in our vision for ISB: environmental learning. Through a range of activities, captured under the umbrella of ‘ISB Earth’, students and adults in our community are engaged in everything from designing environmental curriculum to conducting energy audits, from developing a ‘green’ bus service to mapping nature trails in the forest, from recycling all products to reducing paper use through technology. We do so in partnership with major influencers of environmental policy, including Brussels Environment Agency, local and regional experts, as well as the European Commission. ISB is therefore the only school to be awarded an Eco-Star for environmental action and was recently invited by the European Commission to act as a ‘Campaign Associate’ in the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign.

So, just as we continue to work on the ‘three A’s’ of academics, arts, athletics that make up our core programme, we continue to push forward on the four pillars of our distinctive learning vision: inclusive learning, professional learning, environmental learning and learning through technology. And of course, as this vision becomes increasingly real, ISB becomes an increasingly exciting school in which to work and learn.

For more information about ISB, please consult our website: www.isb.be

International Schooling

What is an international school?

Learning for Understanding

Discover the world of International education

Open Minds to the World of Learning Parenting provides one challenge after another, from naming your baby to deciding what to wear to graduation. And if their babyhood didn’t wear you out, the challenges of shepherding your teenage son or daughter through secondary school will really put you to the test.

You will instantly feel welcome when you set foot on the campus of the Antwerp International School – located in the leafy outskirts of the city – where children are at the centre of everything.

When a child joins our school so does their family. The school serves local students and the international community in the greater Antwerp area. Our mission is to educate young people between the ages of three and 18 to be responsible, caring, productive members of a democratic society in a global community, and to prepare them for lifetime education.

One of the primary purposes of our school is to provide an excellent international education for expatriate and local children. Our student population represents around 35 nationalities as well as local children. Year after year we continue to coach students who consistently attain high scores on their IB (International Baccalaureate) exams, and are accepted by some of the world’s best universities, including Wharton, Cornell and Stanford (US) and Oxford and Durham (UK), Antwerp and Leuven (BE), Utrecht and Rotterdam (NL) and Alberta (CA). As children embark on the learning journey we focus on their learning for understanding.

Leading the way We take great care and pride in the opportunity we have to educate the world’s future leaders. At AIS, we believe in educating the ‘whole’ child, a feature which is evident in the numerous extracurricular activities we provide.

Whether your child is an athlete, a performer, an artist or a budding politician, they will quickly feel included and a part of something worthwhile and satisfying.

Along with offering the children a top-notch education, we also help settle in our nonworking parents, through the support of a very caring and

active PTO (Parent Teacher Organisation). We provide English conversation groups, Mandarin language classes, sport classes as yoga and Pilatus and introduce the newcomers to other expatriate and local families from your home country, and invite you to participate in various school-sponsored activities. The welcome committee is always ready and willing to offer support.

Our dedicated staff members ensure that each child receives the personal attention they need to succeed. Children are valued as individuals, and taught to work together in a multicultural atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance. The approach to learning is studentcentred. The curriculum is inspired by educational principles that give value to the importance of understanding, academic discipline, service, the arts and good health.

The programs provide opportunities for students to work both independently and collaboratively with the goal of helping them to learn to solve problems, meet challenges and develop a respect for others’ perspectives.

The school is concerned with students’ social, physical, emotional and intellectual development.

Celebrating diversity At AIS, we do not hide our differences – we celebrate them. Our community spirit is one of our most treasured assets, and we commemorate it biannually at our International Day celebrations. On this special day, each nationality shares it culture, food, costumes and customs with one another. It really is one of our landmark events.

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As part of a strategy to provide the best for their children, many parents around the world are turning, with growing confidence, to the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) Diploma Programme.

Small beginnings Founded in Switzerland in 1968, this nonprofit organisation has grown from a mere idea to offering a comprehensive educational programme for expatriate schoolchildren and a first-choice programme for students in countries around the world.

Because of its association with families working overseas, the Diploma Programme (IB) is still seen as serving an important function in providing access to an internationally recognised curriculum in the farthest corners of the world.

There are IB schools in 122 different countries.

By far the greatest number are found in the USA – they head the list with 624 – while Canada is second with 217, followed by Australia and the UK with 85 schools each. The annual growth rate for the IB Diploma is a steady 10%, while

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for the IB primary years, the growth rate is a staggering 25%.

Growing success So what is it that leads parents and school governing boards in these Western countries to abandon their local matriculation system in favour of an IB Diploma?

There is a combination of factors. The reality of a global world has meant that a truly international education system has obvious attractions in focusing curriculum content and educational philosophy beyond national borders.

In addition, national systems are struggling with the politicization of education and stiff competition for budget to resource schools for the 21st century.

But nothing attracts attention more than success. Universities worldwide are impressed by the breadth and depth of the Diploma. They recognise the importance of a skills-based curriculum, compared to a content-driven one, and understand that fostering a broad outlook of respect and tolerance is at the very foundation of learning. Their own statistics show that IB students complete degrees in the minimum time with a negligible attrition rate. So, what’s your choice?

Examining the finer points Diploma students take six core subjects over two years. They choose three ‘higher level’ subjects comprising 240 hours of teaching, and three ‘standard level’ subjects with 150 hours of teaching. Theory of Knowledge is a seventh compulsory subject. In addition, IB students

must complete a 4,000-word research essay plus 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) over the two years.

Theory of Knowledge Students study philosophy and look at the principles underlying our knowledge and beliefs.

They discuss, amongst other things, emotional intelligence and the connections between belief and knowledge and the cultural and historical foundations that shape them as individuals in the broader society.

Creativity, Action, Service Students get credit for continuing the sports or hobbies they are already interested in. They are also encouraged to develop new interests.

For most, the ‘service’ part of the programme is an enriching experience that develops compassion and personal growth.

The extended essay Students choose a topic in a subject they are interested in and, with the support of a supervisor, create a hypothesis and follow through with a research process. Diploma students find this one of the most valuable parts of their preparation for college and university.

For further information contact: The Antwerp International School, Veltwijcklaan 180 2180 Ekeren-Antwerpen, Belgium tel: +32 (0)3 543 93 00 fax: +32 (0)3 541 82 01 e-mail: moveforward@ais-antwerp.be www.ais-antwerp.be

International Schooling

What is an international school?

Learning for Understanding

Discover the world of International education

Open Minds to the World of Learning Parenting provides one challenge after another, from naming your baby to deciding what to wear to graduation. And if their babyhood didn’t wear you out, the challenges of shepherding your teenage son or daughter through secondary school will really put you to the test.

You will instantly feel welcome when you set foot on the campus of the Antwerp International School – located in the leafy outskirts of the city – where children are at the centre of everything.

When a child joins our school so does their family. The school serves local students and the international community in the greater Antwerp area. Our mission is to educate young people between the ages of three and 18 to be responsible, caring, productive members of a democratic society in a global community, and to prepare them for lifetime education.

One of the primary purposes of our school is to provide an excellent international education for expatriate and local children. Our student population represents around 35 nationalities as well as local children. Year after year we continue to coach students who consistently attain high scores on their IB (International Baccalaureate) exams, and are accepted by some of the world’s best universities, including Wharton, Cornell and Stanford (US) and Oxford and Durham (UK), Antwerp and Leuven (BE), Utrecht and Rotterdam (NL) and Alberta (CA). As children embark on the learning journey we focus on their learning for understanding.

Leading the way We take great care and pride in the opportunity we have to educate the world’s future leaders. At AIS, we believe in educating the ‘whole’ child, a feature which is evident in the numerous extracurricular activities we provide.

Whether your child is an athlete, a performer, an artist or a budding politician, they will quickly feel included and a part of something worthwhile and satisfying.

Along with offering the children a top-notch education, we also help settle in our nonworking parents, through the support of a very caring and

active PTO (Parent Teacher Organisation). We provide English conversation groups, Mandarin language classes, sport classes as yoga and Pilatus and introduce the newcomers to other expatriate and local families from your home country, and invite you to participate in various school-sponsored activities. The welcome committee is always ready and willing to offer support.

Our dedicated staff members ensure that each child receives the personal attention they need to succeed. Children are valued as individuals, and taught to work together in a multicultural atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance. The approach to learning is studentcentred. The curriculum is inspired by educational principles that give value to the importance of understanding, academic discipline, service, the arts and good health.

The programs provide opportunities for students to work both independently and collaboratively with the goal of helping them to learn to solve problems, meet challenges and develop a respect for others’ perspectives.

The school is concerned with students’ social, physical, emotional and intellectual development.

Celebrating diversity At AIS, we do not hide our differences – we celebrate them. Our community spirit is one of our most treasured assets, and we commemorate it biannually at our International Day celebrations. On this special day, each nationality shares it culture, food, costumes and customs with one another. It really is one of our landmark events.

184

Best of Belgium

As part of a strategy to provide the best for their children, many parents around the world are turning, with growing confidence, to the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) Diploma Programme.

Small beginnings Founded in Switzerland in 1968, this nonprofit organisation has grown from a mere idea to offering a comprehensive educational programme for expatriate schoolchildren and a first-choice programme for students in countries around the world.

Because of its association with families working overseas, the Diploma Programme (IB) is still seen as serving an important function in providing access to an internationally recognised curriculum in the farthest corners of the world.

There are IB schools in 122 different countries.

By far the greatest number are found in the USA – they head the list with 624 – while Canada is second with 217, followed by Australia and the UK with 85 schools each. The annual growth rate for the IB Diploma is a steady 10%, while

Best of Belgium

185

for the IB primary years, the growth rate is a staggering 25%.

Growing success So what is it that leads parents and school governing boards in these Western countries to abandon their local matriculation system in favour of an IB Diploma?

There is a combination of factors. The reality of a global world has meant that a truly international education system has obvious attractions in focusing curriculum content and educational philosophy beyond national borders.

In addition, national systems are struggling with the politicization of education and stiff competition for budget to resource schools for the 21st century.

But nothing attracts attention more than success. Universities worldwide are impressed by the breadth and depth of the Diploma. They recognise the importance of a skills-based curriculum, compared to a content-driven one, and understand that fostering a broad outlook of respect and tolerance is at the very foundation of learning. Their own statistics show that IB students complete degrees in the minimum time with a negligible attrition rate. So, what’s your choice?

Examining the finer points Diploma students take six core subjects over two years. They choose three ‘higher level’ subjects comprising 240 hours of teaching, and three ‘standard level’ subjects with 150 hours of teaching. Theory of Knowledge is a seventh compulsory subject. In addition, IB students

must complete a 4,000-word research essay plus 150 hours of Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) over the two years.

Theory of Knowledge Students study philosophy and look at the principles underlying our knowledge and beliefs.

They discuss, amongst other things, emotional intelligence and the connections between belief and knowledge and the cultural and historical foundations that shape them as individuals in the broader society.

Creativity, Action, Service Students get credit for continuing the sports or hobbies they are already interested in. They are also encouraged to develop new interests.

For most, the ‘service’ part of the programme is an enriching experience that develops compassion and personal growth.

The extended essay Students choose a topic in a subject they are interested in and, with the support of a supervisor, create a hypothesis and follow through with a research process. Diploma students find this one of the most valuable parts of their preparation for college and university.

For further information contact: The Antwerp International School, Veltwijcklaan 180 2180 Ekeren-Antwerpen, Belgium tel: +32 (0)3 543 93 00 fax: +32 (0)3 541 82 01 e-mail: moveforward@ais-antwerp.be www.ais-antwerp.be

I know of only one bird - the parrot that talks; and it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fly very high.

Wilbur Wright (1867 - 1912), declining to make a speech in 1908

Chapter 12 Open for Business

I know of only one bird - the parrot that talks; and it canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fly very high.

Wilbur Wright (1867 - 1912), declining to make a speech in 1908

Chapter 12 Open for Business

Open for Business

The Technology Industry in Belgium

Facts & figures • Employs 300,000 people • Accounts for output worth € 69,2 billion.

• Export rate : 72 % • Share in total Belgian exports : 33 % • Number of foreign subsidiaries of Agoria members : 900

Export = growth market Companies in the technology industry sectors realise the lion’s share of their turnover from exports.

The most important markets are in Western Europe, followed by North America and Asia.

AGORIA, YOUR GATEWAY TO THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IN BELGIUM

Investing abroad Companies in the technology industry not only sell their products and services abroad, but they also develop local activities abroad. The number of foreign subsidiaries of Agoria members has doubled over the last 10 years. Today there are around 900 such subsidiaries, employing some 60,000 people.

Financed by members’ contributions, the association represents 1500 companies in the technology industry.

International projects Agoria member companies supply goods and services for many international projects abroad: equipment for airports, oil, gas and petrochemical plants, international sports events, environmental infrastructure, construction, etc.

Agoria is Belgium’s largest employers’ organisation and trade association.

Agoria promotes its members’ interests in Belgium and abroad and puts them in touch with potential partners across sectoral boundaries and national borders.

AGORIA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Reaching new markets • Do you want to expand your international network ?

• Are you looking for an industrial partner in Belgium ?

• Do you want to be informed on the technology industry ?

Peter Demuynck, Director International Business Development

Specialised Clubs grouping companies with a unique know-how, experience & focus on the following markets:

Contact us Tel. + 32 2 706 79 38 Fax + 32 2 706 79 43 peter.demuynck@agoria.be

Financial market (ICT solutions) www.agoria.be/abc

Renewable energy market www.agoria.be/renewableenergyclub

Oil, gas and petrochemical market www.agoria.be/bog

Medical market (equipment & services) www.agoria.be/hospibel

International sports events market www.agoria.be/obc

Textile machinery market www.agoria.be/symatex

188

Best of Belgium

years BELGIAN OIL & GAS GROUP

Best of Belgium

189

Open for Business

The Technology Industry in Belgium

Facts & figures • Employs 300,000 people • Accounts for output worth € 69,2 billion.

• Export rate : 72 % • Share in total Belgian exports : 33 % • Number of foreign subsidiaries of Agoria members : 900

Export = growth market Companies in the technology industry sectors realise the lion’s share of their turnover from exports.

The most important markets are in Western Europe, followed by North America and Asia.

AGORIA, YOUR GATEWAY TO THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY IN BELGIUM

Investing abroad Companies in the technology industry not only sell their products and services abroad, but they also develop local activities abroad. The number of foreign subsidiaries of Agoria members has doubled over the last 10 years. Today there are around 900 such subsidiaries, employing some 60,000 people.

Financed by members’ contributions, the association represents 1500 companies in the technology industry.

International projects Agoria member companies supply goods and services for many international projects abroad: equipment for airports, oil, gas and petrochemical plants, international sports events, environmental infrastructure, construction, etc.

Agoria is Belgium’s largest employers’ organisation and trade association.

Agoria promotes its members’ interests in Belgium and abroad and puts them in touch with potential partners across sectoral boundaries and national borders.

AGORIA INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Reaching new markets • Do you want to expand your international network ?

• Are you looking for an industrial partner in Belgium ?

• Do you want to be informed on the technology industry ?

Peter Demuynck, Director International Business Development

Specialised Clubs grouping companies with a unique know-how, experience & focus on the following markets:

Contact us Tel. + 32 2 706 79 38 Fax + 32 2 706 79 43 peter.demuynck@agoria.be

Financial market (ICT solutions) www.agoria.be/abc

Renewable energy market www.agoria.be/renewableenergyclub

Oil, gas and petrochemical market www.agoria.be/bog

Medical market (equipment & services) www.agoria.be/hospibel

International sports events market www.agoria.be/obc

Textile machinery market www.agoria.be/symatex

188

Best of Belgium

years BELGIAN OIL & GAS GROUP

Best of Belgium

189

Open for Business

Flandersâ&#x20AC;Ś globally connected Flanders is the northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. A small region maybe, but it is really big in doing business with the rest of the world. To support its fast-growing economy, both local and foreign companies can count on the support of Flanders Investment & Trade.

Get in touch with the best of Flanders Flanders Investment & Trade leads the wayâ&#x20AC;Ś We provide expert advice free of charge on: Innovative suppliers: We put you in touch with high-quality suppliers and help you source the right products from the right companies.

Setting up an operating base at the heart of Europe: We assist you with: site selection - legal aspects - benefits & financial incentives - business & government contacts.

Flanders Investment & Trade has an extensive network of investment and trade commissioners in over 90 cities around the globe.

Flanders Investment & Trade is a government agency that provides free-of-charge assistance for Flemish companies looking to do business outside Belgium, and for foreign companies looking to invest in Flanders or interested in importing our high-quality products.

Planning to invest in a thriving region?

Flanders Investment & Trade can assist with your plans to relocate your operational base to Flanders, at the heart of Europe. We are here to advise and assist on all aspects of business relocation. We can provide you with useful insights and up-to-date data on site availability, local labor supply, recruitment, training, suppliers and technical support. And we can also put you in touch with the competent local and national authorities and utility providers. Once established in Flanders, we assist you with your expansion plans and help you identify new export markets. We provide clarity on the numerous benefits Flanders has to offer foreign companies, such as tax relief measures, R&D and training incentives, and much more besides.

Are you looking for high-quality suppliers?

If you are a company selling foreign products Flanders is, without a doubt, the place to turn your attention to. This region is known around the world for its fashion designers and diamonds, a multitude

of beers and delicious chocolates. But there is more to Flanders than that. Our industries offer many high-quality innovative products and semimanufactured products that will astound you. These are made, for example, by our renowned chemical, automotive and pharmaceutical industries, and by our cutting-edge building materials, interior design and environmental technology industries. Flanders Investment & Trade can help you get in touch with the many suppliers of profitable products developed and produced in Flanders.

We are here to help you Flanders Investment & Trade has an extensive network of investment and trade commissioners in over 90 cities around the globe. To find out more on what Flanders has to offer foreign companies looking to do business in and with the European region of the future, visit: www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com

Flanders Investment & Trade Gaucheretstraat 90 BE-1030 Brussels-Belgium T +32 2 504 87 11 F +32 2 504 88 99 info@fitagency.com www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com

www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com

Or contact us via: Flanders Investment & Trade Gaucheretstraat 90 | BE-1030 Brussels - Belgium T +32 2 504 87 11 | F +32 2 504 88 99 info@fitagency.com

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Best of Belgium

Open for Business

Flandersâ&#x20AC;Ś globally connected Flanders is the northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. A small region maybe, but it is really big in doing business with the rest of the world. To support its fast-growing economy, both local and foreign companies can count on the support of Flanders Investment & Trade.

Get in touch with the best of Flanders Flanders Investment & Trade leads the wayâ&#x20AC;Ś We provide expert advice free of charge on: Innovative suppliers: We put you in touch with high-quality suppliers and help you source the right products from the right companies.

Setting up an operating base at the heart of Europe: We assist you with: site selection - legal aspects - benefits & financial incentives - business & government contacts.

Flanders Investment & Trade has an extensive network of investment and trade commissioners in over 90 cities around the globe.

Flanders Investment & Trade is a government agency that provides free-of-charge assistance for Flemish companies looking to do business outside Belgium, and for foreign companies looking to invest in Flanders or interested in importing our high-quality products.

Planning to invest in a thriving region?

Flanders Investment & Trade can assist with your plans to relocate your operational base to Flanders, at the heart of Europe. We are here to advise and assist on all aspects of business relocation. We can provide you with useful insights and up-to-date data on site availability, local labor supply, recruitment, training, suppliers and technical support. And we can also put you in touch with the competent local and national authorities and utility providers. Once established in Flanders, we assist you with your expansion plans and help you identify new export markets. We provide clarity on the numerous benefits Flanders has to offer foreign companies, such as tax relief measures, R&D and training incentives, and much more besides.

Are you looking for high-quality suppliers?

If you are a company selling foreign products Flanders is, without a doubt, the place to turn your attention to. This region is known around the world for its fashion designers and diamonds, a multitude

of beers and delicious chocolates. But there is more to Flanders than that. Our industries offer many high-quality innovative products and semimanufactured products that will astound you. These are made, for example, by our renowned chemical, automotive and pharmaceutical industries, and by our cutting-edge building materials, interior design and environmental technology industries. Flanders Investment & Trade can help you get in touch with the many suppliers of profitable products developed and produced in Flanders.

We are here to help you Flanders Investment & Trade has an extensive network of investment and trade commissioners in over 90 cities around the globe. To find out more on what Flanders has to offer foreign companies looking to do business in and with the European region of the future, visit: www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com

Flanders Investment & Trade Gaucheretstraat 90 BE-1030 Brussels-Belgium T +32 2 504 87 11 F +32 2 504 88 99 info@fitagency.com www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com

www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com

Or contact us via: Flanders Investment & Trade Gaucheretstraat 90 | BE-1030 Brussels - Belgium T +32 2 504 87 11 | F +32 2 504 88 99 info@fitagency.com

<dkZgcbZci d[ ;aVcYZgh " 7Za\^jb 190

Best of Belgium

Open for Business

Wallonia-International

In One City… All of Europe BRUSSELS: the decision-making heart of Europe

Headquarters of the majority of the European institutions and of many international organizations, the Brussels-Capital Region is not only the political decision-making center of the EU, it is also a major financial centre. Furthermore, thanks to its position in the economic heart of Europe and its excellent accessibility, the Region is an ideal gateway to the wider European market.

The economic activity is very important and our region accounts for 20% of Belgium’s GDP and 17% of the nation’s jobs. Brussels is home to some 54.000 companies and exports more than half of its production.

Although Wallonia generates only 0.65% of European Union GDP, its share of exports is twice as high. Walloon sales as part of total European Union external trade have grown by 30% over the past 10 years. This means that the trend amongst Walloon enterprises has been to increase their market share against their European counterparts throughout the world for the past decade. Exports are on an identical trend, rising by an annual average of 10%. This result places Wallonia’s performance at a higher level than that of its immediate neighbours and of the EU15 as a whole.

Foreign investment is also a driving force of regional development as foreign companies setting up in Wallonia represent 75% of turnover, more than 70% of employees and 65% of its exports. During the past 7 years (2000-2006), foreign companies have invested more than 4.6 billion euros in Wallonia, leading to the creation of more than 11,370 jobs.

This trend indicates real business dynamism. It is the fruit of the changing economic and industrial environment in Wallonia which started to develop ten years ago. This success results largely from the ability of its enterprises to innovate. The high percentage of SMEs (95%), offering flexibility and a multilingual and highly qualified labour force, has enabled Wallonia to position itself in a number of niche sectors.

Although the spirit of enterprise appears to be vital to any economic redeployment, the mobilisation of all its energies – academic, scientific and political – is also a key factor of its success. These are the principles that

underpin the Walloon government’s Marshall Plan for Wallonia, designed to stimulate the creation of businesses and jobs. With a major transversal international dimension, the Plan aims to focus on a few major economic fields in which Wallonia is highly competitive (aeronautics-space, food processing, life sciences, mechanical engineering and logistics-transport).

In this framework the actors involved have pooled their strengths to accomplish shared objectives. The Plan also provides tax breaks to boost the competitiveness of enterprises with the creation of free zones and a strong focus on training, job support and the social sector.

Brussels’ economic fabric is mainly made up of SMEs. They are export-oriented, diverse and successful, often building their business around “quality” and “know-how”. Indeed, the Region has acquired a reputation for the diversity and creativity of many of its companies.

These Brussels companies need to be helped to be active on foreign markets. Therefore, Brussels Export was created. Brussels Export is a partnership between the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Brussels Business Federation.

These are just some of the measures that will increase the attractiveness of Wallonia, which naturally already benefits from many international assets, for both buyers and investors: its central geographical position just a short distance from the EU Capital, its multimodal communication infrastructure fully interconnected with the European networks, the availability of space in industrial and science parks, its level of education and training, its culture of partnership with scientific and technological centres of excellence (300 research centres; 60% of Belgian spin-offs), the networking of its high added value industrial fabric, the availability of its managers… and so on.

- Information about Brussels products and services for foreign companies.

- Customized assistance for exporters both from Brussels and abroad, thanks to a network of over 80 economic and commercial attachés located all over the world.

Website: www.wallonia-international.be

Best of Belgium

As far as investments in Brussels are concerned, the welcome desk for investors is the Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA).

Ministry of Brussels-Capital Region www.brussels.irisnet.be

infos@brussels-export.irisnet.be www.brusselstrade.be www.brussels-exporters.be

Their aim : to promote foreign trade and assist Brussels and foreign companies by offering a comprehensive range of performing services :

Not forgetting its human qualities! Wallonia is a welcoming and friendly region, rich in tradition and proud of its multicultural components, which have forged a spirit of tolerance. It is quite simply a beautiful place to live and to discover!

192

- Organization of economic missions, contact days, stands on international trade fairs, meetings with foreign buyers.

- Management of the brussels’exporters database available on www.brussels-exporters.be - Euro info Centre.

Best of Belgium

193

The Brussels Enterprise Agency International Relations Department www.investinbrussels.com

Open for Business

Wallonia-International

In One City… All of Europe BRUSSELS: the decision-making heart of Europe

Headquarters of the majority of the European institutions and of many international organizations, the Brussels-Capital Region is not only the political decision-making center of the EU, it is also a major financial centre. Furthermore, thanks to its position in the economic heart of Europe and its excellent accessibility, the Region is an ideal gateway to the wider European market.

The economic activity is very important and our region accounts for 20% of Belgium’s GDP and 17% of the nation’s jobs. Brussels is home to some 54.000 companies and exports more than half of its production.

Although Wallonia generates only 0.65% of European Union GDP, its share of exports is twice as high. Walloon sales as part of total European Union external trade have grown by 30% over the past 10 years. This means that the trend amongst Walloon enterprises has been to increase their market share against their European counterparts throughout the world for the past decade. Exports are on an identical trend, rising by an annual average of 10%. This result places Wallonia’s performance at a higher level than that of its immediate neighbours and of the EU15 as a whole.

Foreign investment is also a driving force of regional development as foreign companies setting up in Wallonia represent 75% of turnover, more than 70% of employees and 65% of its exports. During the past 7 years (2000-2006), foreign companies have invested more than 4.6 billion euros in Wallonia, leading to the creation of more than 11,370 jobs.

This trend indicates real business dynamism. It is the fruit of the changing economic and industrial environment in Wallonia which started to develop ten years ago. This success results largely from the ability of its enterprises to innovate. The high percentage of SMEs (95%), offering flexibility and a multilingual and highly qualified labour force, has enabled Wallonia to position itself in a number of niche sectors.

Although the spirit of enterprise appears to be vital to any economic redeployment, the mobilisation of all its energies – academic, scientific and political – is also a key factor of its success. These are the principles that

underpin the Walloon government’s Marshall Plan for Wallonia, designed to stimulate the creation of businesses and jobs. With a major transversal international dimension, the Plan aims to focus on a few major economic fields in which Wallonia is highly competitive (aeronautics-space, food processing, life sciences, mechanical engineering and logistics-transport).

In this framework the actors involved have pooled their strengths to accomplish shared objectives. The Plan also provides tax breaks to boost the competitiveness of enterprises with the creation of free zones and a strong focus on training, job support and the social sector.

Brussels’ economic fabric is mainly made up of SMEs. They are export-oriented, diverse and successful, often building their business around “quality” and “know-how”. Indeed, the Region has acquired a reputation for the diversity and creativity of many of its companies.

These Brussels companies need to be helped to be active on foreign markets. Therefore, Brussels Export was created. Brussels Export is a partnership between the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of the Brussels-Capital Region, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Brussels Business Federation.

These are just some of the measures that will increase the attractiveness of Wallonia, which naturally already benefits from many international assets, for both buyers and investors: its central geographical position just a short distance from the EU Capital, its multimodal communication infrastructure fully interconnected with the European networks, the availability of space in industrial and science parks, its level of education and training, its culture of partnership with scientific and technological centres of excellence (300 research centres; 60% of Belgian spin-offs), the networking of its high added value industrial fabric, the availability of its managers… and so on.

- Information about Brussels products and services for foreign companies.

- Customized assistance for exporters both from Brussels and abroad, thanks to a network of over 80 economic and commercial attachés located all over the world.

Website: www.wallonia-international.be

Best of Belgium

As far as investments in Brussels are concerned, the welcome desk for investors is the Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA).

Ministry of Brussels-Capital Region www.brussels.irisnet.be

infos@brussels-export.irisnet.be www.brusselstrade.be www.brussels-exporters.be

Their aim : to promote foreign trade and assist Brussels and foreign companies by offering a comprehensive range of performing services :

Not forgetting its human qualities! Wallonia is a welcoming and friendly region, rich in tradition and proud of its multicultural components, which have forged a spirit of tolerance. It is quite simply a beautiful place to live and to discover!

192

- Organization of economic missions, contact days, stands on international trade fairs, meetings with foreign buyers.

- Management of the brussels’exporters database available on www.brussels-exporters.be - Euro info Centre.

Best of Belgium

193

The Brussels Enterprise Agency International Relations Department www.investinbrussels.com

Open for Business

Hansen Transmissions “We support our customers to move the world forward with innovative gear technology”

Wind Energy With total commitment towards the wind energy sector, Hansen built a state of the art plant for multi-megawatt wind turbine drives. This plant was a necessity to answer to the increasing demand from the wind energy sector and was possible thanks to the increasing share that Hansen gained in this niche market. Hansen has in turn achieved this increase based upon the worldwide success of its products for wind turbines.

Since it was founded in 1923, the Belgian company HANSEN TRANSMISSIONS has been developing and manufacturing power transmission products. The company has grown to become a world leading supplier of innovative and durable standardised gearboxes, tailored to customer needs.

The company consists of two business units. The business unit “Wind Energy” focuses on the development and manufacturing of gearboxes for wind turbines. The “Industry” business unit covers a wide range of industries and their applications. Almost 99% of Hansen’s production is exported worldwide. The company has a continuous investment policy that caters for the latest in both technologies and machinery. Today, Hansen is part of Suzlon Energy Ltd., the largest manufacturer of wind turbines in Asia. Worldwide Hansen employs 1400 people.

In 2006, Hansen received the Export Lion Trophy as ‘Best Performer’ for its achievements in export as well as for its efforts in ethical entrepreneurship.

The factory was made operational in May 2004 and represents an initial investment of 101 million euros. The plant is located on an 183,000 m² site in Lommel (Limburg) and caters for employment for over 500 people.

Recently, a 140 million euro investment was signed to more than double the existing production capacity and expand the R&D facilities. Thanks to this new investment, jobs will be created for a further 200 people. To cater for wind turbine drives on the Indian and Asian Pacific market, Hansen has announced the building of similar plant in India. This plant involves another investment of 170 million Euro and employment for 600 people. The Indian plant will be made operational by the end of 2008.

Serving the world market Hansen manufactures the most powerful gearboxes available today, matched to market applications, and supplies complete drive packages in both horizontal and vertical configurations. The business unit “Industry” serves customers with Hansen gearboxes in a broad variety of applications such as cooling tower drives, aerators, screw pumps, conveyors, bucket elevators, mixers, agitators, pulp & paper manufacturing etc.

Technology-driven The Hansen R & D departments work in synergy with both Belgian and foreign universities, as well as official research institutes. Hansen aims for each generation of gearboxes to be more compact, more powerful and more flexible.

The business unit “Industry” therefore includes Hansen assembly & service centres in the US, UK, South Africa, China and Australia; sales offices in Brazil, Japan and most countries in Europe as well as a worldwide distributor network.

194

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Best of Belgium

195

Hansen gearboxes are preferred products, especially in areas where low noise, minimum weight and high reliability are required (e.g. wind turbines, water treatment, material handling, cooling towers etc.).

Quality Every aspect of Hansen activities is impregnated by a total commitment to quality and advanced production technology. Hansen has a constant investment policy for new technologies and machinery. Attention to production standards begins with ensuring the quality of raw materials such as cast iron and steel, followed by stringent in-house quality procedures for the manufacturing of components, going all the way to final testing and acceptance of assembled gearboxes.

Fully committed to total quality assurance, Hansen Transmissions was in 1991 the first in its industry to receive the ISO 9001 certificate for its quality management system.

Hansen Transmissions International NV Leonardo da Vincilaan 1 B-2650 Edegem (Antwerp) Belgium Phone : +32 (0) 3 450 12 11 Fax : +32 (0) 3 450 12 20 E-mail : sales@hansentransmissions.com Website : www.hansentransmissions.com

Open for Business

Hansen Transmissions “We support our customers to move the world forward with innovative gear technology”

Wind Energy With total commitment towards the wind energy sector, Hansen built a state of the art plant for multi-megawatt wind turbine drives. This plant was a necessity to answer to the increasing demand from the wind energy sector and was possible thanks to the increasing share that Hansen gained in this niche market. Hansen has in turn achieved this increase based upon the worldwide success of its products for wind turbines.

Since it was founded in 1923, the Belgian company HANSEN TRANSMISSIONS has been developing and manufacturing power transmission products. The company has grown to become a world leading supplier of innovative and durable standardised gearboxes, tailored to customer needs.

The company consists of two business units. The business unit “Wind Energy” focuses on the development and manufacturing of gearboxes for wind turbines. The “Industry” business unit covers a wide range of industries and their applications. Almost 99% of Hansen’s production is exported worldwide. The company has a continuous investment policy that caters for the latest in both technologies and machinery. Today, Hansen is part of Suzlon Energy Ltd., the largest manufacturer of wind turbines in Asia. Worldwide Hansen employs 1400 people.

In 2006, Hansen received the Export Lion Trophy as ‘Best Performer’ for its achievements in export as well as for its efforts in ethical entrepreneurship.

The factory was made operational in May 2004 and represents an initial investment of 101 million euros. The plant is located on an 183,000 m² site in Lommel (Limburg) and caters for employment for over 500 people.

Recently, a 140 million euro investment was signed to more than double the existing production capacity and expand the R&D facilities. Thanks to this new investment, jobs will be created for a further 200 people. To cater for wind turbine drives on the Indian and Asian Pacific market, Hansen has announced the building of similar plant in India. This plant involves another investment of 170 million Euro and employment for 600 people. The Indian plant will be made operational by the end of 2008.

Serving the world market Hansen manufactures the most powerful gearboxes available today, matched to market applications, and supplies complete drive packages in both horizontal and vertical configurations. The business unit “Industry” serves customers with Hansen gearboxes in a broad variety of applications such as cooling tower drives, aerators, screw pumps, conveyors, bucket elevators, mixers, agitators, pulp & paper manufacturing etc.

Technology-driven The Hansen R & D departments work in synergy with both Belgian and foreign universities, as well as official research institutes. Hansen aims for each generation of gearboxes to be more compact, more powerful and more flexible.

The business unit “Industry” therefore includes Hansen assembly & service centres in the US, UK, South Africa, China and Australia; sales offices in Brazil, Japan and most countries in Europe as well as a worldwide distributor network.

194

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

195

Hansen gearboxes are preferred products, especially in areas where low noise, minimum weight and high reliability are required (e.g. wind turbines, water treatment, material handling, cooling towers etc.).

Quality Every aspect of Hansen activities is impregnated by a total commitment to quality and advanced production technology. Hansen has a constant investment policy for new technologies and machinery. Attention to production standards begins with ensuring the quality of raw materials such as cast iron and steel, followed by stringent in-house quality procedures for the manufacturing of components, going all the way to final testing and acceptance of assembled gearboxes.

Fully committed to total quality assurance, Hansen Transmissions was in 1991 the first in its industry to receive the ISO 9001 certificate for its quality management system.

Hansen Transmissions International NV Leonardo da Vincilaan 1 B-2650 Edegem (Antwerp) Belgium Phone : +32 (0) 3 450 12 11 Fax : +32 (0) 3 450 12 20 E-mail : sales@hansentransmissions.com Website : www.hansentransmissions.com

Open for Business

Perfect Chocolate Solutions Prefamac will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2008. Myriam Schepers was one of the founders of the company. Today she is the captain of the ship, as Managing Director. Mrs. Schepers talks openly about what Prefamac stands for, about the vision of the company and its future challenges.

Myriam Schepers, Managing Director

up with customers needs, providing them with customised solutions and new and better machinery equipped with the latest technologies.

Backed by 20 years of experience, Prefamac has built up a solid reputation that stands for a good price/quality product, optimal service and continuity.

We will continu operating from our headquarters in Belgium.’

Can you introduce your company in a nutshell?

‘Prefamac provides flexible, custom made solutions for both the chocolate and the biscuit industry.

It produces industrial and smaller scale machines, but industry takes 90 % of the sales number.

A Prefamac machine can best be compared with a top quality Belgian Praline: it consists of an interior of well researched components supported by a solid base of well trained and capable staff, enrobed in a pearled stainless steel design and topped off with a personal, flexible service like only medium sized companies can offer.‘

Could you specify what you mean with ‘solutions for both the chocolate and the biscuit industry’?

‘We are not involved in fase 1 of the chocolate production – from the cocoa bean to chocolate.

We focus on fase 2. More specifically it means we provide machinery that melt the chocolate

and pump and transport it to a machine that will, for instance, enrobe waffles or pralines with that chocolate.

Why is that?

‘You should keep in mind that all our machines are fully developed, manufactured and distributed by Prefamac in nearly 100 countries. That is why there are three good reasons to see our location as an advantage.

First, Belgium is renowned for its Belgian Pralines and other chocolate products.

So it should not surprise you that Prefamac operates from this country where people eat, sleep and breathe chocolate. Second, Prefamac is located at the beating hart of Europe. This top location ensures that Prefamac can reach all the corners of the earth, easily and economically. Thanks to a dense road system, the proximity of several international airports and the largest seaport of Europe guarantee a swift delivery of your goods in the best conditions. Third, Belgians are polyglots and that always opens doors that otherwise remain shut.‘

We also deliver cooling tunnels, that make sure that the product is ready to get packed under the best conditions: a nice, shiny chocolate coat and a longer shelf life. So basically we do melting, pumping, tempering, enrobing and cooling.’

Where do you see the company in, say, 20 years time?

‘We live in an ever changing world. It is no different in our industry. Our company evolves with the latest technologies. Also our customers evolve because of changing demands of the consumer.

Through the years their requirements and needs have changed and will keep on changing. It is really important to be able to know what people in our business require and to anticipate this. In 20 years from now our company policy will still be: keeping

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R&D ‘We always try to incorporate the latest components – even from other industries – into our machines but only if they add to the ease of use and not just for appearance only. Of course we are not only looking for new components but also for the latest technologies in order to simplify the production process. Simplifying chocolate processing to us is the automation of the process as well as making sure that operating stays easy. In that way you can implement unskilled workers and still ensure top quality (taste, right shine, colour, perfume and ‘break’).’

Design ‘We feel that the machine needs to be easy for chocolate production but also needs to be easy on the eye. I think everyone prefers a good looking machine.’

Flexible solutions and service ‘This definitely is one of the strong points of Prefamac. Because of the diversity of the products in the chocolate and the biscuit industry, it is really important to be able to fit specific needs as well as standard solutions.’

PREFAMAC NV Dellestraat 11 - 11 A Industrial Zone Zolder - Lummen 1058 3560 Lummen - Belgium T +32/13 52 18 84 - F +32/13 52 18 48 info@prefamac.com www.prefamac.com

Open for Business

Perfect Chocolate Solutions Prefamac will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2008. Myriam Schepers was one of the founders of the company. Today she is the captain of the ship, as Managing Director. Mrs. Schepers talks openly about what Prefamac stands for, about the vision of the company and its future challenges.

Myriam Schepers, Managing Director

up with customers needs, providing them with customised solutions and new and better machinery equipped with the latest technologies.

Backed by 20 years of experience, Prefamac has built up a solid reputation that stands for a good price/quality product, optimal service and continuity.

We will continu operating from our headquarters in Belgium.’

Can you introduce your company in a nutshell?

‘Prefamac provides flexible, custom made solutions for both the chocolate and the biscuit industry.

It produces industrial and smaller scale machines, but industry takes 90 % of the sales number.

A Prefamac machine can best be compared with a top quality Belgian Praline: it consists of an interior of well researched components supported by a solid base of well trained and capable staff, enrobed in a pearled stainless steel design and topped off with a personal, flexible service like only medium sized companies can offer.‘

Could you specify what you mean with ‘solutions for both the chocolate and the biscuit industry’?

‘We are not involved in fase 1 of the chocolate production – from the cocoa bean to chocolate.

We focus on fase 2. More specifically it means we provide machinery that melt the chocolate

and pump and transport it to a machine that will, for instance, enrobe waffles or pralines with that chocolate.

Why is that?

‘You should keep in mind that all our machines are fully developed, manufactured and distributed by Prefamac in nearly 100 countries. That is why there are three good reasons to see our location as an advantage.

First, Belgium is renowned for its Belgian Pralines and other chocolate products.

So it should not surprise you that Prefamac operates from this country where people eat, sleep and breathe chocolate. Second, Prefamac is located at the beating hart of Europe. This top location ensures that Prefamac can reach all the corners of the earth, easily and economically. Thanks to a dense road system, the proximity of several international airports and the largest seaport of Europe guarantee a swift delivery of your goods in the best conditions. Third, Belgians are polyglots and that always opens doors that otherwise remain shut.‘

We also deliver cooling tunnels, that make sure that the product is ready to get packed under the best conditions: a nice, shiny chocolate coat and a longer shelf life. So basically we do melting, pumping, tempering, enrobing and cooling.’

Where do you see the company in, say, 20 years time?

‘We live in an ever changing world. It is no different in our industry. Our company evolves with the latest technologies. Also our customers evolve because of changing demands of the consumer.

Through the years their requirements and needs have changed and will keep on changing. It is really important to be able to know what people in our business require and to anticipate this. In 20 years from now our company policy will still be: keeping

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R&D ‘We always try to incorporate the latest components – even from other industries – into our machines but only if they add to the ease of use and not just for appearance only. Of course we are not only looking for new components but also for the latest technologies in order to simplify the production process. Simplifying chocolate processing to us is the automation of the process as well as making sure that operating stays easy. In that way you can implement unskilled workers and still ensure top quality (taste, right shine, colour, perfume and ‘break’).’

Design ‘We feel that the machine needs to be easy for chocolate production but also needs to be easy on the eye. I think everyone prefers a good looking machine.’

Flexible solutions and service ‘This definitely is one of the strong points of Prefamac. Because of the diversity of the products in the chocolate and the biscuit industry, it is really important to be able to fit specific needs as well as standard solutions.’

PREFAMAC NV Dellestraat 11 - 11 A Industrial Zone Zolder - Lummen 1058 3560 Lummen - Belgium T +32/13 52 18 84 - F +32/13 52 18 48 info@prefamac.com www.prefamac.com

Open for Business

DEME Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering n.v.

A strong partner for world-wide operations based on a multi-disciplinary approach in contracting

Pile installation for the “Costa Azul” LNG terminal in Ensenada, Mexico.

Stone dumping with fall pipe vessel “Rollingstone” for pipeline stabilisation and scour protection in the North Sea.

Installation of a pilot 5MW wind turbine generator ( the biggest in the world) at the Beatrice field in Scotland.

To summarize, DEME Group’s activities can now be said to fall into three major categories: • Dredging and land reclamation, offshore and marine engineering works; • Environmental activities (storage, remediation and processing contaminated soil and sludge); • Extraction and supply of sea aggregates to the building industry.

Trailer “Marieke” performing maintenance dredging on the river “Scheldt”, Belgium

The Belgian dredging and hydraulic engineering group D.E.M.E. NV has won a prominent position on the world market in a highly specialized and complex discipline. The company fosters a strong innovative approach and has indeed been a trend-setter and a pioneer in technical innovation throughout its history. The Group can look back on nearly 150 years of experience in its core dredging and land reclamation activities and hydraulic engineering. With a century and a half of experience on all continents in contracting for major works of marine engineering infrastructure, we can now proclaim our corporate motto with great pride: there’s no substitute for experience. At present DEME has a permanent workforce of 3,000 persons.

the same pipelines, and protecting and stabilizing pipelines by precision stone dumping to very great depths (1000 m!).

Apart from dredging, we have built up an enviable track record in horizontal and vertical drilling techniques, building fixed near-shore and offshore structures such as radar stations, weather stations and wind farms, using high-quality bitumen applications to protect dike bodies and river and sea beds, wreck clearance, dry earth moving, and many other activities.

In support of our dredging activities, and to enable us to offer our clients total solutions for their port and waterway developments and large-scale land reclamation projects, the Group has diversified over the past 20 years. An offshore function has been added to the core business, specializing mainly in excavating and backfilling trenches for oil and gas pipeline laying, constructing landfalls for

Over the same period, DEME has focused and worked hard on the development of a whole series of new techniques, a number of which have been patented, so as to dredge in an environmentally friendly way, treat and

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A new artificial peninsula “Pearl Qatar” was built in the shape of a magnificient jewel off the Doha coast in Qatar.

Best of Belgium

199

The order book of the Group has reached 2 billion € and shows a further upward trend for the coming years.

The DEME Group owns a strongly diversified dredge fleet that counts 75 large vessels. The Group generates an annual turnover of more than 1 billion €, of which more than 80% is generated abroad and spread over all continents. clean contaminated sludge and polluted soil, construct landfills and dumping areas for industrial and domestic waste, and so on. These highly specialized techniques have been developed on the Benelux market and the Group is now increasingly exporting them. These activities are co-ordinated by DEC Environmental Contractors N.V.

DEME nv Scheldedijk 30 - Haven 1025 2070 Zwijndrecht Tel: +32 3 250 52 11 - Fax: +32 3 250 56 50 Web: www.deme.be Email: info@dredging.com

Open for Business

DEME Dredging Environmental and Marine Engineering n.v.

A strong partner for world-wide operations based on a multi-disciplinary approach in contracting

Pile installation for the “Costa Azul” LNG terminal in Ensenada, Mexico.

Stone dumping with fall pipe vessel “Rollingstone” for pipeline stabilisation and scour protection in the North Sea.

Installation of a pilot 5MW wind turbine generator ( the biggest in the world) at the Beatrice field in Scotland.

To summarize, DEME Group’s activities can now be said to fall into three major categories: • Dredging and land reclamation, offshore and marine engineering works; • Environmental activities (storage, remediation and processing contaminated soil and sludge); • Extraction and supply of sea aggregates to the building industry.

Trailer “Marieke” performing maintenance dredging on the river “Scheldt”, Belgium

The Belgian dredging and hydraulic engineering group D.E.M.E. NV has won a prominent position on the world market in a highly specialized and complex discipline. The company fosters a strong innovative approach and has indeed been a trend-setter and a pioneer in technical innovation throughout its history. The Group can look back on nearly 150 years of experience in its core dredging and land reclamation activities and hydraulic engineering. With a century and a half of experience on all continents in contracting for major works of marine engineering infrastructure, we can now proclaim our corporate motto with great pride: there’s no substitute for experience. At present DEME has a permanent workforce of 3,000 persons.

the same pipelines, and protecting and stabilizing pipelines by precision stone dumping to very great depths (1000 m!).

Apart from dredging, we have built up an enviable track record in horizontal and vertical drilling techniques, building fixed near-shore and offshore structures such as radar stations, weather stations and wind farms, using high-quality bitumen applications to protect dike bodies and river and sea beds, wreck clearance, dry earth moving, and many other activities.

In support of our dredging activities, and to enable us to offer our clients total solutions for their port and waterway developments and large-scale land reclamation projects, the Group has diversified over the past 20 years. An offshore function has been added to the core business, specializing mainly in excavating and backfilling trenches for oil and gas pipeline laying, constructing landfalls for

Over the same period, DEME has focused and worked hard on the development of a whole series of new techniques, a number of which have been patented, so as to dredge in an environmentally friendly way, treat and

198

Best of Belgium

A new artificial peninsula “Pearl Qatar” was built in the shape of a magnificient jewel off the Doha coast in Qatar.

Best of Belgium

199

The order book of the Group has reached 2 billion € and shows a further upward trend for the coming years.

The DEME Group owns a strongly diversified dredge fleet that counts 75 large vessels. The Group generates an annual turnover of more than 1 billion €, of which more than 80% is generated abroad and spread over all continents. clean contaminated sludge and polluted soil, construct landfills and dumping areas for industrial and domestic waste, and so on. These highly specialized techniques have been developed on the Benelux market and the Group is now increasingly exporting them. These activities are co-ordinated by DEC Environmental Contractors N.V.

DEME nv Scheldedijk 30 - Haven 1025 2070 Zwijndrecht Tel: +32 3 250 52 11 - Fax: +32 3 250 56 50 Web: www.deme.be Email: info@dredging.com

Open for Business

Zweko High-Grade Helmet Visors From Formula One racers to firemen battling the heat, chances are that their helmet visors—exceptionally strong and heat resistant visors—were made

by Zweko, a visor specialist located in Limburg, Belgium.

Zweko is the typical Belgian success story – an engineeringfocused company that is taking a global, but highly specialized, market by storm; success that is driven by strong innovation. While still a reasonably small company of just over 30 full time employees, the company’s turnover has been growing at a phenomenal rate and its products are exported to all corners of the earth.

While the company’s coating process is used primarily for helmet visors, the applications are virtually unlimited— other applications have been for displays, ICT hardware, garden lighting, diving goggles, slot machines, vending machines, automotive instruments, industrial rolling gates, swimming pool covers, motorway soundproofing and much more.

The company set up shop in the late 80’s focusing exclusively on high-end helmet visors for motorsport. Perfecting its capabilities in this demanding market, Zweko soon attracted the interest of helmet manufacturers for security and emergency services (fire services, The company’s international success police, etc). As a result, it now exports a range of high-end helmet visors across the EU, the USA and Canada, South Africa and Korea. can be ascribed to three key reasons: innovation, quality and partnership.

Working with local universities and research institutes, Zweko is continuously Zweko’s basic manufacturing process is the finishing of various transparent and scratch sensitive plastics such as PC, PMMA, SAN, innovating with new materials and coatings to improve its visors’ strength, PETG and PETA with thermoformable and non-thermoformable heat resistance and scratch resistance. transparent anti-scratch and/or anti-fog coatings.

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Best of Belgium

Also, most of the company’s specialized machinery is designed by Zweko itself.

Having honed its capabilities under the stringent demands of motorsport, Zweko is obsessed with quality. This is understandably appreciated by customers in the security and emergency services sectors.

around the world. It offers a tailored and highly proactive service that larger conglomerates find hard to beat.

Looking ahead, Zweko has two priorities: firstly, the company will continue to invest in its core market—helmet visors. Specifically, this involves more innovating around materials and coatings, more international expansion, and closer R&D partnership with customers.

Besides innovating in the core materials Secondly, Zweko will make focused and coatings, Zweko also stands out investments in new applications for its from its competitors by the partnerships coating capabilities, in partnership with its it forms with customers at the level customers. of R&D and product development.

Being a reasonably small, but highly specialised company, Zweko is able Contact: to work very flexibly with its customers www.zweko.com

Best of Belgium

201

Open for Business

Zweko High-Grade Helmet Visors From Formula One racers to firemen battling the heat, chances are that their helmet visors—exceptionally strong and heat resistant visors—were made

by Zweko, a visor specialist located in Limburg, Belgium.

Zweko is the typical Belgian success story – an engineeringfocused company that is taking a global, but highly specialized, market by storm; success that is driven by strong innovation. While still a reasonably small company of just over 30 full time employees, the company’s turnover has been growing at a phenomenal rate and its products are exported to all corners of the earth.

While the company’s coating process is used primarily for helmet visors, the applications are virtually unlimited— other applications have been for displays, ICT hardware, garden lighting, diving goggles, slot machines, vending machines, automotive instruments, industrial rolling gates, swimming pool covers, motorway soundproofing and much more.

The company set up shop in the late 80’s focusing exclusively on high-end helmet visors for motorsport. Perfecting its capabilities in this demanding market, Zweko soon attracted the interest of helmet manufacturers for security and emergency services (fire services, The company’s international success police, etc). As a result, it now exports a range of high-end helmet visors across the EU, the USA and Canada, South Africa and Korea. can be ascribed to three key reasons: innovation, quality and partnership.

Working with local universities and research institutes, Zweko is continuously Zweko’s basic manufacturing process is the finishing of various transparent and scratch sensitive plastics such as PC, PMMA, SAN, innovating with new materials and coatings to improve its visors’ strength, PETG and PETA with thermoformable and non-thermoformable heat resistance and scratch resistance. transparent anti-scratch and/or anti-fog coatings.

200

Best of Belgium

Also, most of the company’s specialized machinery is designed by Zweko itself.

Having honed its capabilities under the stringent demands of motorsport, Zweko is obsessed with quality. This is understandably appreciated by customers in the security and emergency services sectors.

around the world. It offers a tailored and highly proactive service that larger conglomerates find hard to beat.

Looking ahead, Zweko has two priorities: firstly, the company will continue to invest in its core market—helmet visors. Specifically, this involves more innovating around materials and coatings, more international expansion, and closer R&D partnership with customers.

Besides innovating in the core materials Secondly, Zweko will make focused and coatings, Zweko also stands out investments in new applications for its from its competitors by the partnerships coating capabilities, in partnership with its it forms with customers at the level customers. of R&D and product development.

Being a reasonably small, but highly specialised company, Zweko is able Contact: to work very flexibly with its customers www.zweko.com

Best of Belgium

201

Open for Business

Cartamundi “A heart for cards”

and, above all, by its innovative production process. As soon as a new trend or a specific demand is established by the extensive sales network of subsidiaries in different companies, the Design and Research & Development departments at Cartamundi get down to work. Thanks to new machines such as the recently developed hybrid press, the company is able to develop new products and offer the customer total solutions.

collection including such things as licensed cards and tarot cards, promotional cards, private label cards and playing cards for casinos) and “Special projects” (the production of prestige collectors’ cards and cards for games).

For years big games manufacturers have had recourse to Cartamundi for their cards for games, but Cartamundi has much more up its sleeve! When customers are looking out for dice, games boards, rules and other components for games, they can also rely on Cartamundi.

For a well-known fast-food chain Cartamundi makes original, amusing and child-friendly cards, particularly facepaint cards. They are covered with a thin layer of paint with which children can apply an amusing drawing to their face.

“Cards for the world” with Belgian roots Cartamundi is the biggest manufacturer and distributor of playing cards. Across the world, it produces, as a card specialist, over 10 billion cards a year - 200 million packs of cards or 518 cards per second. Throughout the years Cartimundi, a multinational business with Belgian roots, has shown its passion for card games of every form – which is why it has acquired an important place on the world card map.

The Latin name Cartamundi provides a clear indication of the business’ aspiration: to be the world leader in the production and sale of playing cards, promotional playing cards, casino playing cards, collectors’ cards and cards for games.

The world’s biggest producer and vendor of cards Over the years Cartamundi has managed to realise a number of major international take- overs. Thanks to these

targeted take-overs and an innovative slant in the product range, Cartamundi, as a global supplier, have a 30% share of the world market – in Belgium 80 %.

The business has now expanded into the world’s biggest card producer with production sites in 3 continents. With its latest take-over of the American company Robert Yaquinto Printing, one of the major producers of sports and collectors’ cards, Cartamundi realised its biggest take-over ever and the company also strengthened its position on the American collectors’ cards market considerably.

Cartamundi also has a wide assortment of licensed products, for both adults and children (James Bond, Superman, National Geographic, Barbie, Disney, Harry Potter, etc).

The customers are the aces At Cartamundi, the customer is king.

In the marketing strategy and sales model, everything revolves around the customer.

Only in this way can the business give effect to its position as market leader. Staff at the production units and sales offices always maintain a close relationship with the customers.

Cartamundi lets you see its cards Cartimundi’s entire product range is divided into two business units: “Playing Cards” (the production of the retail

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The card specialist stands out by its quality control, its efficient supply chain

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The beating heart of Cartamundi lies in Belgium Every day some 1020 staff across the world, spread across 6 production units and 12 sales offices contribute to the Cartamundi success story. The organisation’s international network is coordinated from Turnhout and receives the necessary support from local representatives operating in over 50 countries. The production site in Turnhout, with an area of 19,300 m² can count on the services of 350 permanent staff and has a capacity of 105 million packs a year.

Cartamundi has been in the prize lists a good many times. In 2006 the company won the “Award for Excellence in Corporate Entrepreneurship” and in 2005 it was a finalist in the “Business of the Year” award.

More information on www.cartamundi.com

Open for Business

Cartamundi “A heart for cards”

and, above all, by its innovative production process. As soon as a new trend or a specific demand is established by the extensive sales network of subsidiaries in different companies, the Design and Research & Development departments at Cartamundi get down to work. Thanks to new machines such as the recently developed hybrid press, the company is able to develop new products and offer the customer total solutions.

collection including such things as licensed cards and tarot cards, promotional cards, private label cards and playing cards for casinos) and “Special projects” (the production of prestige collectors’ cards and cards for games).

For years big games manufacturers have had recourse to Cartamundi for their cards for games, but Cartamundi has much more up its sleeve! When customers are looking out for dice, games boards, rules and other components for games, they can also rely on Cartamundi.

For a well-known fast-food chain Cartamundi makes original, amusing and child-friendly cards, particularly facepaint cards. They are covered with a thin layer of paint with which children can apply an amusing drawing to their face.

“Cards for the world” with Belgian roots Cartamundi is the biggest manufacturer and distributor of playing cards. Across the world, it produces, as a card specialist, over 10 billion cards a year - 200 million packs of cards or 518 cards per second. Throughout the years Cartimundi, a multinational business with Belgian roots, has shown its passion for card games of every form – which is why it has acquired an important place on the world card map.

The Latin name Cartamundi provides a clear indication of the business’ aspiration: to be the world leader in the production and sale of playing cards, promotional playing cards, casino playing cards, collectors’ cards and cards for games.

The world’s biggest producer and vendor of cards Over the years Cartamundi has managed to realise a number of major international take- overs. Thanks to these

targeted take-overs and an innovative slant in the product range, Cartamundi, as a global supplier, have a 30% share of the world market – in Belgium 80 %.

The business has now expanded into the world’s biggest card producer with production sites in 3 continents. With its latest take-over of the American company Robert Yaquinto Printing, one of the major producers of sports and collectors’ cards, Cartamundi realised its biggest take-over ever and the company also strengthened its position on the American collectors’ cards market considerably.

Cartamundi also has a wide assortment of licensed products, for both adults and children (James Bond, Superman, National Geographic, Barbie, Disney, Harry Potter, etc).

The customers are the aces At Cartamundi, the customer is king.

In the marketing strategy and sales model, everything revolves around the customer.

Only in this way can the business give effect to its position as market leader. Staff at the production units and sales offices always maintain a close relationship with the customers.

Cartamundi lets you see its cards Cartimundi’s entire product range is divided into two business units: “Playing Cards” (the production of the retail

202

Best of Belgium

The card specialist stands out by its quality control, its efficient supply chain

Best of Belgium

203

The beating heart of Cartamundi lies in Belgium Every day some 1020 staff across the world, spread across 6 production units and 12 sales offices contribute to the Cartamundi success story. The organisation’s international network is coordinated from Turnhout and receives the necessary support from local representatives operating in over 50 countries. The production site in Turnhout, with an area of 19,300 m² can count on the services of 350 permanent staff and has a capacity of 105 million packs a year.

Cartamundi has been in the prize lists a good many times. In 2006 the company won the “Award for Excellence in Corporate Entrepreneurship” and in 2005 it was a finalist in the “Business of the Year” award.

More information on www.cartamundi.com

Open for Business

Lano Carpets the single source solution for hospitality soft floorings With a turnover averaging 100 million Euro and 500 people, Lano Carpets plays a major part within the chosen market sector of the better soft floor covering.

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bruges, Belgium Interior Designers: BABO Interieur; www.babonv.be

Lano Carpets is known as a quality producer of floor covering for the residential, contract, and synthetic turf market.

Lano offers another world of flexibility, allowing more invidualism and unique design concepts to adorn hospitality interiors and without compromising quality, underfoot comfort or performance. Lano is not only meeting, but exceeding the demands of architects, interior designers and other members of the specification community’s expectations.

Lano more than 20 years experience in synthetic turf.

Lano has been producing synthetic turf for indoor and outdoor use for more than 20 years.

The synthetic turf produced by Lano Sports is used in various sports: football, tennis, rugby and hockey and golf. It can also be placed in multi-sports buildings (volley-ball, handball, basket-ball, …).

Brussels Airport

To revolutionise the specification process in the hospitality and leisure sectors, Lano Carpets has introduced new concepts which add a further dimension to the complete supply and service package offered by this leading European supplier.

Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Westmeath, Ireland Interior Designers: BR Design; www.brdesign.ie

Your convenience is our business

The woven Walk of Fame Axminster Collection is set to make its mark as a leading choice where hotels, leisure facilities and corporate entertainment establishments are concerned.

Other carefully selected product ranges are designed to cater for a combination of aesthetics and appearance retention within the corridors and bedrooms of hospitality environments.

The extensive portfolio encompasses a wide choice of tufted broadloom collections, along with a range of rugs designed for all hospitality and leisure interiors. With a large array of stock options and the ability to deliver bespoke carpets within a short timescale from the Belgium HQ, Lano is capable of responding to specifiers’ demands with products and a turnaround to suit individual requirements.

And let us not forget an increasing demand from the landscaping segment, for private gardens or for local, regional or national government projects: adorning roundabouts, central reservations on motorways …

The image of Lano held by its customers is one of creativity and reliability, the image of a partner offering excellent quality and outstanding service.

Located in the heart of Belgium and Europe, Brussels Airport is a world-class airport, tailored to the needs of each business traveller. A multilingual staff is always ready to welcome you in a professional but friendly and personal way. Our cargo facilities rank among the best in the world, guaranteeing a safe and efficient transit. Numerous services in and around the airport aim at the highest standards in business travel: work and reception rooms, telecom, hotels, transportation... A wide range of fine boutiques and excellent restaurants make you feel at home, away from home. Because your convenience is our business.

T +32 56 65 40 00 www.lano.com / info@lano.be

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www.brusselsairport.be

Open for Business

Lano Carpets the single source solution for hospitality soft floorings With a turnover averaging 100 million Euro and 500 people, Lano Carpets plays a major part within the chosen market sector of the better soft floor covering.

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bruges, Belgium Interior Designers: BABO Interieur; www.babonv.be

Lano Carpets is known as a quality producer of floor covering for the residential, contract, and synthetic turf market.

Lano offers another world of flexibility, allowing more invidualism and unique design concepts to adorn hospitality interiors and without compromising quality, underfoot comfort or performance. Lano is not only meeting, but exceeding the demands of architects, interior designers and other members of the specification community’s expectations.

Lano more than 20 years experience in synthetic turf.

Lano has been producing synthetic turf for indoor and outdoor use for more than 20 years.

The synthetic turf produced by Lano Sports is used in various sports: football, tennis, rugby and hockey and golf. It can also be placed in multi-sports buildings (volley-ball, handball, basket-ball, …).

Brussels Airport

To revolutionise the specification process in the hospitality and leisure sectors, Lano Carpets has introduced new concepts which add a further dimension to the complete supply and service package offered by this leading European supplier.

Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Westmeath, Ireland Interior Designers: BR Design; www.brdesign.ie

Your convenience is our business

The woven Walk of Fame Axminster Collection is set to make its mark as a leading choice where hotels, leisure facilities and corporate entertainment establishments are concerned.

Other carefully selected product ranges are designed to cater for a combination of aesthetics and appearance retention within the corridors and bedrooms of hospitality environments.

The extensive portfolio encompasses a wide choice of tufted broadloom collections, along with a range of rugs designed for all hospitality and leisure interiors. With a large array of stock options and the ability to deliver bespoke carpets within a short timescale from the Belgium HQ, Lano is capable of responding to specifiers’ demands with products and a turnaround to suit individual requirements.

And let us not forget an increasing demand from the landscaping segment, for private gardens or for local, regional or national government projects: adorning roundabouts, central reservations on motorways …

The image of Lano held by its customers is one of creativity and reliability, the image of a partner offering excellent quality and outstanding service.

Located in the heart of Belgium and Europe, Brussels Airport is a world-class airport, tailored to the needs of each business traveller. A multilingual staff is always ready to welcome you in a professional but friendly and personal way. Our cargo facilities rank among the best in the world, guaranteeing a safe and efficient transit. Numerous services in and around the airport aim at the highest standards in business travel: work and reception rooms, telecom, hotels, transportation... A wide range of fine boutiques and excellent restaurants make you feel at home, away from home. Because your convenience is our business.

T +32 56 65 40 00 www.lano.com / info@lano.be

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www.brusselsairport.be

Open for Business

Straaltechniek Straaltechniek International was established in 1982 as a daughter company of Straal Beheer B.V., a shareholding company that took over the majority of shares in the former Van Kranenburg Group, a surface treatment company that has operated since 1923.

The company’s main strategy is to offer a complete range of products in the following trade-areas: · Industrial surface treatment and protection · Corrosion technology · Shot peening technology Straaltechniek International’s extensive experience in the delivery of this wide range of products has enabled the company to accept continuously expanding responsibility, and to be engaged in the most sophisticated and demanding areas of the Surface Treatment and Protection Industries. This has significantly improved the company’s competencies at all levels, including technical/ administrative backing and Quality assurance. Straaltechniek International Belgium has expanded from 8 employees in 1982 to currently 21 full-time employees.

The office is located in Aartselaar, Belgium, with a separate workshop area. The assembling and stock departments are also located in Aartselaar.

Straaltechniek International designs, assembles, manufactures

and sells shot peen-, shot blast-, paint spray- and metallisation-equipment.

Straaltechniek has the specialised knowledge needed to operate in the demanding field of surface treatment of many varied materials. This has been gained through longstanding presence in the market place.

It is this experience that not only allows Straaltechniek to advise what type of abrasive to use in a given situation; but also to design, develop and build complete installations. These installations can be designed according to customer’s specific requirements, taking into account the required finish, production circumstances, volumes and sizes.

One can rely on Straaltechniek for quality products, reliable deliveries and first class service.

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Straaltechniek International has a complete range of compressed air and shot blast wheel machines. In the 80’s Straaltechniek International started a co-operation with R&D company RUTTEN s.a. of Herstal-Belgium with a goal to introduce a new type blast wheel with features of low wear, higher outlet speed of the abrasives, lower consumption of abrasives, etc., followed by a complete renovation of the existing system of wheel blast machines. The wear of these machines led to high maintenance costs and loss of production.

In 1992 the first blast wheel of this new generation was installed and tested, followed by several thousands of wheels on all types and makes of blast wheel machines. The advantages of the wheels are described in the brochure “RUTTEN blast wheels”.

In 1994 it was decided to start the manufacture of the new developed blast wheel machines. In the brochure “Wheel Blast Machines” a summary is given of the objectives and results.

The program not only includes standard type wheel machines but also special ones tailored according to the requirements of the customers. The strength of Straaltechniek International is the “Rutten” blast wheel, the heart of the machine.

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As a result of the modern possibilities with or without a PLC-controlled switchboard, we delivered many manually operated and (semi) automated blasting installations for many applications.

Straaltechniek International has been working closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEM), component manufacturing to perfect the technology, equipment and processes.

In centrifugal wheel blast applications, Straaltechniek International uses, as sole manufacturer, the special Rutten blast wheels, which give higher velocity to the abrasives and exact control of the velocity variation.

The outlined system is designed for maximum flexibility, safety, high reliability and maintainability. The system has features that protect the system

and engine components from damage as much as possible. Straaltechniek International has the technical and financial strength to deliver a complete turnkey system with training and product support that meets all the requirements specified by clients.

Straaltechniek International will fully assemble the blast systems and will perform an acceptance test for clients personnel, thereby proving operational readiness, complete acceptance testing and establishing actual capacity performance for those components.

STRAALTECHNIEK INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Antwerpsesteenweg 100 2630 AARTSELAAR Tel.: +32 (0)3 870 61 70 Fax: +32 (0)3 870 61 76 e-mail: straaltechniek@straaltecniek.com

www.straaltechniek.net

Open for Business

Straaltechniek Straaltechniek International was established in 1982 as a daughter company of Straal Beheer B.V., a shareholding company that took over the majority of shares in the former Van Kranenburg Group, a surface treatment company that has operated since 1923.

The company’s main strategy is to offer a complete range of products in the following trade-areas: · Industrial surface treatment and protection · Corrosion technology · Shot peening technology Straaltechniek International’s extensive experience in the delivery of this wide range of products has enabled the company to accept continuously expanding responsibility, and to be engaged in the most sophisticated and demanding areas of the Surface Treatment and Protection Industries. This has significantly improved the company’s competencies at all levels, including technical/ administrative backing and Quality assurance. Straaltechniek International Belgium has expanded from 8 employees in 1982 to currently 21 full-time employees.

The office is located in Aartselaar, Belgium, with a separate workshop area. The assembling and stock departments are also located in Aartselaar.

Straaltechniek International designs, assembles, manufactures

and sells shot peen-, shot blast-, paint spray- and metallisation-equipment.

Straaltechniek has the specialised knowledge needed to operate in the demanding field of surface treatment of many varied materials. This has been gained through longstanding presence in the market place.

It is this experience that not only allows Straaltechniek to advise what type of abrasive to use in a given situation; but also to design, develop and build complete installations. These installations can be designed according to customer’s specific requirements, taking into account the required finish, production circumstances, volumes and sizes.

One can rely on Straaltechniek for quality products, reliable deliveries and first class service.

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Straaltechniek International has a complete range of compressed air and shot blast wheel machines. In the 80’s Straaltechniek International started a co-operation with R&D company RUTTEN s.a. of Herstal-Belgium with a goal to introduce a new type blast wheel with features of low wear, higher outlet speed of the abrasives, lower consumption of abrasives, etc., followed by a complete renovation of the existing system of wheel blast machines. The wear of these machines led to high maintenance costs and loss of production.

In 1992 the first blast wheel of this new generation was installed and tested, followed by several thousands of wheels on all types and makes of blast wheel machines. The advantages of the wheels are described in the brochure “RUTTEN blast wheels”.

In 1994 it was decided to start the manufacture of the new developed blast wheel machines. In the brochure “Wheel Blast Machines” a summary is given of the objectives and results.

The program not only includes standard type wheel machines but also special ones tailored according to the requirements of the customers. The strength of Straaltechniek International is the “Rutten” blast wheel, the heart of the machine.

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As a result of the modern possibilities with or without a PLC-controlled switchboard, we delivered many manually operated and (semi) automated blasting installations for many applications.

Straaltechniek International has been working closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEM), component manufacturing to perfect the technology, equipment and processes.

In centrifugal wheel blast applications, Straaltechniek International uses, as sole manufacturer, the special Rutten blast wheels, which give higher velocity to the abrasives and exact control of the velocity variation.

The outlined system is designed for maximum flexibility, safety, high reliability and maintainability. The system has features that protect the system

and engine components from damage as much as possible. Straaltechniek International has the technical and financial strength to deliver a complete turnkey system with training and product support that meets all the requirements specified by clients.

Straaltechniek International will fully assemble the blast systems and will perform an acceptance test for clients personnel, thereby proving operational readiness, complete acceptance testing and establishing actual capacity performance for those components.

STRAALTECHNIEK INTERNATIONAL N.V.

Antwerpsesteenweg 100 2630 AARTSELAAR Tel.: +32 (0)3 870 61 70 Fax: +32 (0)3 870 61 76 e-mail: straaltechniek@straaltecniek.com

www.straaltechniek.net

Open for Business

Mobile phones with an ethical dimension Ello Mobile offers Belgian mobile phone users the chance to support charities with their phone calls.

People who choose Ello Mobile do so not because of any shiny deals or offers, but rather because they feel a sense of social responsibility. We also aim to make the transfer from other networks as smooth and painless as possible. For example, customers can choose to retain their existing phone number.

Additionally, they can choose between prepaid and contract accounts – to suit their individual needs. The customers are guaranteed not only excellent connection and reception, but also competitively low prices.

However, most importantly, Ello Mobile callers know that they are actively contributing to making the world a better place.

“With this business model we want to create a mind shift to more intelligent consumption. You don’t have to make sacrifices to improve things” Serge Van de Zande

Launched in 2006 by three Belgian entrepreneurs, Ello Mobile is a not-for-profit company devoted to raising money for charities – donating 100% of its profits for good causes.

The basic premise behind Ello Mobile is simple: callers use their phones as they normally would. Except – rather than giving the profits from their calls and texts to shareholders – these profits are directed straight to the charity chosen by the caller.

It really is that simple.

Who uses Ello Mobile?

According to Serge Van de Zande (one of the founders), Ello Mobile was set up because “we wanted to create

a mind shift towards more intelligent consumption. You don’t have to make sacrifices to help improve things.“ Most people are keen to help good causes so long as it does not inconvenience them too much. To this end, Ello Mobile provides excellent coverage and reception, at prices that are competitive with the main Belgian service providers – and with the additional benefit of peace of mind for the caller. Thus providing Belgian mobile phone users with a viable and socially beneficial alternative to the existing networks.

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How does Ello Mobile work?

In order to minimise operational costs, Ello Mobile is entirely web-based and relies primarily upon word-of-mouth marketing to drive its growth. The projects being supported have been chosen by an independent jury appointed by the King Baudouin Foundation (the public arbiter of charities in Belgium). By using the existing infrastructure from one of the large Belgian mobile phone networks, we are able to minimise the operational costs whilst still delivering the highest standards of service and reception.

Ello Mobile has carved a niche for itself with its innovative offering and business model.

Each customer chooses which charities they wish to support with their calls and texts. They then use their mobile phone as normal. As simple as that.

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Who benefits from Ello Mobile?

Ello Mobile callers have already helped people all over the world.

Their calls and texts are bringing fresh water to villages in Guinea-Bissau and providing education for Latin American street children. They are helping to protect the unique environments of Sumatran rainforests and Flemish heathland in Averbode. With texts and calls, they are giving support to poverty-stricken Indian families and helping make life better for chronically-ill and long-term sick children in Belgian hospitals.

Due to its not-for-profit nature, the Ello Mobile offering is unique – it allows customers to enjoy highly competitive prices for a top quality service whilst gaining the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing towards making the world a better place.

www.ello-mobile.be

Open for Business

Mobile phones with an ethical dimension Ello Mobile offers Belgian mobile phone users the chance to support charities with their phone calls.

People who choose Ello Mobile do so not because of any shiny deals or offers, but rather because they feel a sense of social responsibility. We also aim to make the transfer from other networks as smooth and painless as possible. For example, customers can choose to retain their existing phone number.

Additionally, they can choose between prepaid and contract accounts – to suit their individual needs. The customers are guaranteed not only excellent connection and reception, but also competitively low prices.

However, most importantly, Ello Mobile callers know that they are actively contributing to making the world a better place.

“With this business model we want to create a mind shift to more intelligent consumption. You don’t have to make sacrifices to improve things” Serge Van de Zande

Launched in 2006 by three Belgian entrepreneurs, Ello Mobile is a not-for-profit company devoted to raising money for charities – donating 100% of its profits for good causes.

The basic premise behind Ello Mobile is simple: callers use their phones as they normally would. Except – rather than giving the profits from their calls and texts to shareholders – these profits are directed straight to the charity chosen by the caller.

It really is that simple.

Who uses Ello Mobile?

According to Serge Van de Zande (one of the founders), Ello Mobile was set up because “we wanted to create

a mind shift towards more intelligent consumption. You don’t have to make sacrifices to help improve things.“ Most people are keen to help good causes so long as it does not inconvenience them too much. To this end, Ello Mobile provides excellent coverage and reception, at prices that are competitive with the main Belgian service providers – and with the additional benefit of peace of mind for the caller. Thus providing Belgian mobile phone users with a viable and socially beneficial alternative to the existing networks.

208

Best of Belgium

How does Ello Mobile work?

In order to minimise operational costs, Ello Mobile is entirely web-based and relies primarily upon word-of-mouth marketing to drive its growth. The projects being supported have been chosen by an independent jury appointed by the King Baudouin Foundation (the public arbiter of charities in Belgium). By using the existing infrastructure from one of the large Belgian mobile phone networks, we are able to minimise the operational costs whilst still delivering the highest standards of service and reception.

Ello Mobile has carved a niche for itself with its innovative offering and business model.

Each customer chooses which charities they wish to support with their calls and texts. They then use their mobile phone as normal. As simple as that.

Best of Belgium

209

Who benefits from Ello Mobile?

Ello Mobile callers have already helped people all over the world.

Their calls and texts are bringing fresh water to villages in Guinea-Bissau and providing education for Latin American street children. They are helping to protect the unique environments of Sumatran rainforests and Flemish heathland in Averbode. With texts and calls, they are giving support to poverty-stricken Indian families and helping make life better for chronically-ill and long-term sick children in Belgian hospitals.

Due to its not-for-profit nature, the Ello Mobile offering is unique – it allows customers to enjoy highly competitive prices for a top quality service whilst gaining the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing towards making the world a better place.

www.ello-mobile.be

Open for Business

Pauwels Transforming your Needs into Solutions

and specialist representatives with expert knowledge of local conditions and customer requirements.

The Pauwels strategy is based on creating high-value and high-quality integrated solutions for its customers, combining state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing with competent international contracting and after-sales services, ensuring that any project need is met, anywhere in the world.

Combined forces Pauwels is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crompton Greaves Limited, an important industrial conglomerate based in India, listed on the Mumbai, National and London Stock Exchanges. Pauwels, the latest strategic business unit of Crompton Greaves, is one of the world leaders in the design and manufacturing of innovative threephase transformers and integrated solutions. Pauwels operates manufacturing plants and subsidiary companies (contracting & services) on three continents. A consolidated annual turnover of 330 million euros, over half of which is realized outside Europe, reflects the efforts of the companies’ nearly 2,000 employees worldwide.

Products & services Ever since 1947, Pauwels has stood for innovative, highquality, reliable transformers, awareness for the environment and service to customers around the world. By creating a dynamic and flexible company focussed on these key points, Pauwels continues to operate as a full-line supplier offering innovative designs, high performance, proven reliability and maximum return on investment for its customers. Each Pauwels transformer can be

individually customized to meet customer requirements.

substations and installations for effective management of power.

Transformers Pauwels’ full range of transformers consists of liquid-filled distribution transformers for the distribution of electricity to consumers, high-temperature distribution transformers (SLIM® and Bio-SLIM®), cast resin transformers, Big DT and small power transformers, power transformers, auto-transformers, phaseshifting transformers and HVDC converter transformers.

Pauwels Contracting Division Since its formation in 1977, the Contracting Division has grown steadily into an important division within Pauwels, offering complete turnkey solutions to its customers such as AIS and GIS substations, mobile substations & mobile transformers, compact substation designs and electrification projects for the wind energy industry.

Switchgear A fully complementary line of HV and EHV switchgear up to 420 kV is offered and serviced. This quality switchgear meets the requirements of electrical

Ambitious world player Pauwels is a market-driven organization. The company is structured to ensure the shortest possible lines of communication between customers and different companies. The Pauwels sales department is supported by a network of small, efficient sales offices

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Pauwels Service Division Pauwels offers a full range of after-sales maintenance and repair services for transformers and on load tap changers. The Service Division installs, repairs and maintains transformers worldwide, both in-house and on-site.

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Pauwels International N.V. Antwerpsesteenweg 167 B 2800 Mechelen BELGIUM T + 32 15 283.333 F + 32 15 283.300 E info@pauwels.com www.pauwels.com

Key dates 1947 First Pauwels transformer made in a small workshop in the centre of Mechelen 1958 New factory built on the edge of town 1977 Formation of Pauwels Trafo Ireland Ltd. in Cavan, Ireland and Pauwels Contracting N.V. in Mechelen 1983 Acquisition of distribution transformer factory in the US and the formation of Pauwels Transformers Inc. 1989 Formation of Pauwels Trafo Service S.A. in Charleroi 1993 Completion and opening of new factory in Indonesia 1994 Acquisition of Federal Pioneer’s large power transformer business in Canada and formation of Pauwels Canada Inc. 2005 Pauwels becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crompton Greaves Ltd. 2007 Acquisition of Power Transformer, Gas Insulated Switchgear and Contracting businesses of Ganz Transelektro in Budapest, Hungary

Open for Business

Pauwels Transforming your Needs into Solutions

and specialist representatives with expert knowledge of local conditions and customer requirements.

The Pauwels strategy is based on creating high-value and high-quality integrated solutions for its customers, combining state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing with competent international contracting and after-sales services, ensuring that any project need is met, anywhere in the world.

Combined forces Pauwels is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crompton Greaves Limited, an important industrial conglomerate based in India, listed on the Mumbai, National and London Stock Exchanges. Pauwels, the latest strategic business unit of Crompton Greaves, is one of the world leaders in the design and manufacturing of innovative threephase transformers and integrated solutions. Pauwels operates manufacturing plants and subsidiary companies (contracting & services) on three continents. A consolidated annual turnover of 330 million euros, over half of which is realized outside Europe, reflects the efforts of the companies’ nearly 2,000 employees worldwide.

Products & services Ever since 1947, Pauwels has stood for innovative, highquality, reliable transformers, awareness for the environment and service to customers around the world. By creating a dynamic and flexible company focussed on these key points, Pauwels continues to operate as a full-line supplier offering innovative designs, high performance, proven reliability and maximum return on investment for its customers. Each Pauwels transformer can be

individually customized to meet customer requirements.

substations and installations for effective management of power.

Transformers Pauwels’ full range of transformers consists of liquid-filled distribution transformers for the distribution of electricity to consumers, high-temperature distribution transformers (SLIM® and Bio-SLIM®), cast resin transformers, Big DT and small power transformers, power transformers, auto-transformers, phaseshifting transformers and HVDC converter transformers.

Pauwels Contracting Division Since its formation in 1977, the Contracting Division has grown steadily into an important division within Pauwels, offering complete turnkey solutions to its customers such as AIS and GIS substations, mobile substations & mobile transformers, compact substation designs and electrification projects for the wind energy industry.

Switchgear A fully complementary line of HV and EHV switchgear up to 420 kV is offered and serviced. This quality switchgear meets the requirements of electrical

Ambitious world player Pauwels is a market-driven organization. The company is structured to ensure the shortest possible lines of communication between customers and different companies. The Pauwels sales department is supported by a network of small, efficient sales offices

210

Best of Belgium

Pauwels Service Division Pauwels offers a full range of after-sales maintenance and repair services for transformers and on load tap changers. The Service Division installs, repairs and maintains transformers worldwide, both in-house and on-site.

Best of Belgium

211

Pauwels International N.V. Antwerpsesteenweg 167 B 2800 Mechelen BELGIUM T + 32 15 283.333 F + 32 15 283.300 E info@pauwels.com www.pauwels.com

Key dates 1947 First Pauwels transformer made in a small workshop in the centre of Mechelen 1958 New factory built on the edge of town 1977 Formation of Pauwels Trafo Ireland Ltd. in Cavan, Ireland and Pauwels Contracting N.V. in Mechelen 1983 Acquisition of distribution transformer factory in the US and the formation of Pauwels Transformers Inc. 1989 Formation of Pauwels Trafo Service S.A. in Charleroi 1993 Completion and opening of new factory in Indonesia 1994 Acquisition of Federal Pioneer’s large power transformer business in Canada and formation of Pauwels Canada Inc. 2005 Pauwels becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crompton Greaves Ltd. 2007 Acquisition of Power Transformer, Gas Insulated Switchgear and Contracting businesses of Ganz Transelektro in Budapest, Hungary

Open for Business

CapitalatWork Looking for something extra in your investment manager? Take a look at CapitalatWork but don’t expect more leather furniture or Upper Class pampering. This is not the largest, not the oldest, but certainly the most dynamic investment manager in Belgium that stands out for its purity of purpose – making capital work.

the two major asset classes for its portfolios. Besides the fact that these asset classes represent deep, liquid markets and allow for strong diversification, they also—quite simply—are the root of wealth creation. Investing in companies is not a zero-sum game (where every winner implies a loser). Investing for the long term is concerned with wealth creation (i.e., creating more economic value), and wealth creation is ultimately reflected in rising asset prices

Launched from scratch 17 years ago by a successful team of finance professionals, CapitalatWork currently manages a portfolio of 2,5 billion Euro for private and institutional clients in five countries across Europe. Ranked against private banks, CapitalatWork is the 5th largest in Belgium—and certainly one of the fastest growers.

Those are the quantitative comparisons. A more useful comparison is qualitative, since CapitalatWork does not look like a traditional private bank. In fact, its core ‘DNA’ is remarkably different.

Firstly, CapitalatWork is focused only on its core activity, investment management. Contrary to its larger competitors, it does not partake in investment banking, corporate finance or the brokerage of financial instruments. Hence, the company is immune to conflict-of-interest problems and able to commit entirely to the continuous improvement of its investment methodology.

CapitalatWork’s investment methodology is fundamental to the company’s roots and ongoing strategy. ‘Value Investing’, as it is called, entails investment in undervalued assets and letting time do its work to make the undervaluation disappear. This entails

commitment to four key principles: · Search for superior businesses—an ongoing search for businesses that have the capability to generate free-cashflows for the long term and that may be undervalued

· Let time do its work—CapitalatWork does not ‘play the market.’

Wealth creation, also reflected in the reappraisal of undervalued companies, takes time. As such, investments are made for the long term, allowing capital and its users the time to do their work.

In other words, CapitalatWork stresses the importance of ‘being in the market’ as opposed to ‘timing the market’ ‘Value Investment’ essentially is the backbone of the company.

While new recruits at CapitalatWork obviously are fully immersed in the methodology, there is little need for persuasion. In fact, the company’s investment approach is one of the main reasons why financial professionals look to join CapitalatWork.

· Thorough and ongoing business valuation—prospective investment targets undergo intensive analysis, so that reasonable estimates can be made of intrinsic value and risk. If the intrinsic value of a business is above its market price, then it becomes a candidate for ownership

Equally important to its investment focus and philosophy, CapitalatWork is 100% independent and co-owned by nearly half its 100 staff members. The company’s owners are spread across the business, in all functional areas, from fund management to analysis and supportive services such as IT. Predictably, this creates a highly driven atmosphere. Also, there is little hierarchy; the working style is participative, with a deep sense of responsibility.

· Build a diversified portfolio of equities and bonds—CapitalatWork is committed to equities and bonds as

Independence allows for autonomy in advice. Ironically, CapitalatWork is not particularly commercial in its dealings with customers. Contrary to many of its competitors, it is not in the

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213

business of selling a suite of financial ‘products.’ Instead, CapitalatWork’s clients value the company’s integrity and independence of advice. The company takes time to explain its investment methodology and research findings, be it one-on-one or via small seminars. Also, investment advice is framed in each individual client’s fiscal circumstances and succession planning needs.

Looking ahead, CapitalatWork will continue working on its investment capabilities, to further improve its ability to spot interesting businesses and enhance its valuation techniques. In parallel, the company will invest further in expertise in taxation and estate/ succession planning.

In addition to the Belgian offices (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent), CapitalatWork currently has offices in Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Spain (Madrid), Switzerland (Geneva) and The Netherlands (The Hague).

Internationally, the focus is on building the business at a European level. To accomplish this, the company is recruiting top finance professionals for the non-Belgian offices, changing

its statute to a European Company and adopting a banking license.

Notwithstanding its growth and expanding scale, CapitalatWork remains committed to its core activity and investment philosophy. The company will remain 100% focused on investment management, practiced according to the principles of Value Investing. CapitalatWork invests its clients’ money in businesses where people work—and work creates wealth.

Contact: www.capitalatwork.com Maarten Rooijakkers +32 2 673 77 11

Open for Business

CapitalatWork Looking for something extra in your investment manager? Take a look at CapitalatWork but don’t expect more leather furniture or Upper Class pampering. This is not the largest, not the oldest, but certainly the most dynamic investment manager in Belgium that stands out for its purity of purpose – making capital work.

the two major asset classes for its portfolios. Besides the fact that these asset classes represent deep, liquid markets and allow for strong diversification, they also—quite simply—are the root of wealth creation. Investing in companies is not a zero-sum game (where every winner implies a loser). Investing for the long term is concerned with wealth creation (i.e., creating more economic value), and wealth creation is ultimately reflected in rising asset prices

Launched from scratch 17 years ago by a successful team of finance professionals, CapitalatWork currently manages a portfolio of 2,5 billion Euro for private and institutional clients in five countries across Europe. Ranked against private banks, CapitalatWork is the 5th largest in Belgium—and certainly one of the fastest growers.

Those are the quantitative comparisons. A more useful comparison is qualitative, since CapitalatWork does not look like a traditional private bank. In fact, its core ‘DNA’ is remarkably different.

Firstly, CapitalatWork is focused only on its core activity, investment management. Contrary to its larger competitors, it does not partake in investment banking, corporate finance or the brokerage of financial instruments. Hence, the company is immune to conflict-of-interest problems and able to commit entirely to the continuous improvement of its investment methodology.

CapitalatWork’s investment methodology is fundamental to the company’s roots and ongoing strategy. ‘Value Investing’, as it is called, entails investment in undervalued assets and letting time do its work to make the undervaluation disappear. This entails

commitment to four key principles: · Search for superior businesses—an ongoing search for businesses that have the capability to generate free-cashflows for the long term and that may be undervalued

· Let time do its work—CapitalatWork does not ‘play the market.’

Wealth creation, also reflected in the reappraisal of undervalued companies, takes time. As such, investments are made for the long term, allowing capital and its users the time to do their work.

In other words, CapitalatWork stresses the importance of ‘being in the market’ as opposed to ‘timing the market’ ‘Value Investment’ essentially is the backbone of the company.

While new recruits at CapitalatWork obviously are fully immersed in the methodology, there is little need for persuasion. In fact, the company’s investment approach is one of the main reasons why financial professionals look to join CapitalatWork.

· Thorough and ongoing business valuation—prospective investment targets undergo intensive analysis, so that reasonable estimates can be made of intrinsic value and risk. If the intrinsic value of a business is above its market price, then it becomes a candidate for ownership

Equally important to its investment focus and philosophy, CapitalatWork is 100% independent and co-owned by nearly half its 100 staff members. The company’s owners are spread across the business, in all functional areas, from fund management to analysis and supportive services such as IT. Predictably, this creates a highly driven atmosphere. Also, there is little hierarchy; the working style is participative, with a deep sense of responsibility.

· Build a diversified portfolio of equities and bonds—CapitalatWork is committed to equities and bonds as

Independence allows for autonomy in advice. Ironically, CapitalatWork is not particularly commercial in its dealings with customers. Contrary to many of its competitors, it is not in the

212

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Best of Belgium

213

business of selling a suite of financial ‘products.’ Instead, CapitalatWork’s clients value the company’s integrity and independence of advice. The company takes time to explain its investment methodology and research findings, be it one-on-one or via small seminars. Also, investment advice is framed in each individual client’s fiscal circumstances and succession planning needs.

Looking ahead, CapitalatWork will continue working on its investment capabilities, to further improve its ability to spot interesting businesses and enhance its valuation techniques. In parallel, the company will invest further in expertise in taxation and estate/ succession planning.

In addition to the Belgian offices (Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent), CapitalatWork currently has offices in Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Spain (Madrid), Switzerland (Geneva) and The Netherlands (The Hague).

Internationally, the focus is on building the business at a European level. To accomplish this, the company is recruiting top finance professionals for the non-Belgian offices, changing

its statute to a European Company and adopting a banking license.

Notwithstanding its growth and expanding scale, CapitalatWork remains committed to its core activity and investment philosophy. The company will remain 100% focused on investment management, practiced according to the principles of Value Investing. CapitalatWork invests its clients’ money in businesses where people work—and work creates wealth.

Contact: www.capitalatwork.com Maarten Rooijakkers +32 2 673 77 11

Open for Business

Betafence Securing What Matters

by broadening its product range and increasing its global market presence.

BETAFENCE in Numbers: · No. 1 Worldwide fencing producer · 125 years of excellence · € 440 million turnover (2006) · 1800 employees · 12 plants · 25 sales offices & agencies

The Betafence tagline says it all: ‘Securing what matters.’ In these often troubled times, the need to feel safe has become omnipresent. People quite reasonably wish to protect what they cherish and what is important to them. Betafence offers this type of protection.

delivers advanced fencing solutions with access control and integrated detection systems.

On the farm, general purpose fencing is used to fence grassland and woodland, while more specialized products are used for applications such as hunting ground or horticultural applications.

Betafence technology and know-how is also used for industrial and construction applications. For example, welded mesh is used for glass reinforcement, land reinforcement and pipeline protection.

Think homes, businesses, factories, farms, prisons and large-scale infrastructure (airports, railways) – Betafence has developed dedicated fencing and security solutions for each of these contexts.

Currently the largest international For the home and garden, Betafence offers a broad range of fencing fencing producer and being the reference systems that are simple or decorative in design. in this business for more than For industrial sites such as warehouses and power stations, or 125 years, Betafence continues to grow public infrastructure such as railways and motorways, Betafence

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· A single-minded focus on quality, innovation and system integration, so that customers receive the best solution available on the market · Strengthening and growing the partnership network so that customers are assured professional installation and follow up service · Enhancing further the company’s competencies in managing large projects · Increasing market presence in emerging markets: Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, India and China While product quality and service are the bedrock of the company’s success, innovation and design are pulling the company forward to its pole position.

· 90 countries

Betafence is a world leader in fencing and security solutions, protecting everything from airports and companies to farms and homes in over 90 countries around the world.

The focus for investment—and also the key drivers of the company’s success—are:

215

By developing tailored solutions to the most complex and demanding security contexts, Betafence manages to continuously improve its product range and thereby ensure market leadership. In design terms too, Betafence is receiving recognition.

Some of the most advanced solutions from a security perspective are also valued for their aesthetic appeal and hence are often woven in the overall architectural design of the property or building.

Betafence NV Deerlijkstraat 58A B-8550 Zwevegem Tel.: +32 56 73 45 00 Fax: +32 56 73 45 99 www.betafence.com

Open for Business

Betafence Securing What Matters

by broadening its product range and increasing its global market presence.

BETAFENCE in Numbers: · No. 1 Worldwide fencing producer · 125 years of excellence · € 440 million turnover (2006) · 1800 employees · 12 plants · 25 sales offices & agencies

The Betafence tagline says it all: ‘Securing what matters.’ In these often troubled times, the need to feel safe has become omnipresent. People quite reasonably wish to protect what they cherish and what is important to them. Betafence offers this type of protection.

delivers advanced fencing solutions with access control and integrated detection systems.

On the farm, general purpose fencing is used to fence grassland and woodland, while more specialized products are used for applications such as hunting ground or horticultural applications.

Betafence technology and know-how is also used for industrial and construction applications. For example, welded mesh is used for glass reinforcement, land reinforcement and pipeline protection.

Think homes, businesses, factories, farms, prisons and large-scale infrastructure (airports, railways) – Betafence has developed dedicated fencing and security solutions for each of these contexts.

Currently the largest international For the home and garden, Betafence offers a broad range of fencing fencing producer and being the reference systems that are simple or decorative in design. in this business for more than For industrial sites such as warehouses and power stations, or 125 years, Betafence continues to grow public infrastructure such as railways and motorways, Betafence

214

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

· A single-minded focus on quality, innovation and system integration, so that customers receive the best solution available on the market · Strengthening and growing the partnership network so that customers are assured professional installation and follow up service · Enhancing further the company’s competencies in managing large projects · Increasing market presence in emerging markets: Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, India and China While product quality and service are the bedrock of the company’s success, innovation and design are pulling the company forward to its pole position.

· 90 countries

Betafence is a world leader in fencing and security solutions, protecting everything from airports and companies to farms and homes in over 90 countries around the world.

The focus for investment—and also the key drivers of the company’s success—are:

215

By developing tailored solutions to the most complex and demanding security contexts, Betafence manages to continuously improve its product range and thereby ensure market leadership. In design terms too, Betafence is receiving recognition.

Some of the most advanced solutions from a security perspective are also valued for their aesthetic appeal and hence are often woven in the overall architectural design of the property or building.

Betafence NV Deerlijkstraat 58A B-8550 Zwevegem Tel.: +32 56 73 45 00 Fax: +32 56 73 45 99 www.betafence.com

Belsim Enabling Manufacturing Intelligence in the Process Industry

measure better â&#x20AC;&#x201C; know more

PRODUCE MORE

Belsim Production LLC. Houston, Texas - USA - +1 832 692 4071 - info@belsim.com - www.belsim.com

Enhanced Production Data Detection of Production Upsets

oil & gas

Belsim delivers solutions to the Process Industry that improve Performance via a model based exploitation of production data and a unique set of tools, expertise and methodology.

Surface & Subsea Oil Production Design of Instrumentation Gas lift systems Water Injection monitoring Metering Systems - Virtual Metering

energy

chemicals

engineering

Our Data Validation and Reconciliation (DVR) Technology combines thermodynamics and statistics rules together with process knowledge and measurement data to detect and correct faulty measurements and to compute non-measured stream data and Key Performance indicators.

In this way, process managers at power plants and in the refining, chemical and petrochemical industries are much better equipped to use their own skill to master process operation and improve performance. Belsimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology was developed in long-term partnership with Air Liquide, Elf, Kemira and KKL (nuclear power plant in Switzerland).

partners

Process managers, at any level of responsibility, have to optimize their business.

They need to know how the plant currently operates with respect to the target operational

Best of Belgium

217

constraints. To compare operation points and trigger proper and timely actions, reliable data (with confidence intervals) is a must. Such validated data and assessed accuracy are provided by VALI, our proprietory computer tool for performance monitoring of industrial processes.

End users such as Electrabel, Saudi Aramco, and BASF (to name a few) recognize VALI as the superior DVR System. In the crude oil downstream business, VALI has been unearthing ultimate process performance for years. VALI can now be used also in the upstream business.

Belsim SA Rue Georges Berotte 29 A 4470 Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse Belgium Phone +32 4 259 88 88 Fax +32 4 259 88 89 Email: info@belsim.com Website: www.belsim.com

Belsim Enabling Manufacturing Intelligence in the Process Industry

measure better â&#x20AC;&#x201C; know more

PRODUCE MORE

Belsim Production LLC. Houston, Texas - USA - +1 832 692 4071 - info@belsim.com - www.belsim.com

Enhanced Production Data Detection of Production Upsets

oil & gas

Belsim delivers solutions to the Process Industry that improve Performance via a model based exploitation of production data and a unique set of tools, expertise and methodology.

Surface & Subsea Oil Production Design of Instrumentation Gas lift systems Water Injection monitoring Metering Systems - Virtual Metering

energy

chemicals

engineering

Our Data Validation and Reconciliation (DVR) Technology combines thermodynamics and statistics rules together with process knowledge and measurement data to detect and correct faulty measurements and to compute non-measured stream data and Key Performance indicators.

In this way, process managers at power plants and in the refining, chemical and petrochemical industries are much better equipped to use their own skill to master process operation and improve performance. Belsimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology was developed in long-term partnership with Air Liquide, Elf, Kemira and KKL (nuclear power plant in Switzerland).

partners

Process managers, at any level of responsibility, have to optimize their business.

They need to know how the plant currently operates with respect to the target operational

Best of Belgium

217

constraints. To compare operation points and trigger proper and timely actions, reliable data (with confidence intervals) is a must. Such validated data and assessed accuracy are provided by VALI, our proprietory computer tool for performance monitoring of industrial processes.

End users such as Electrabel, Saudi Aramco, and BASF (to name a few) recognize VALI as the superior DVR System. In the crude oil downstream business, VALI has been unearthing ultimate process performance for years. VALI can now be used also in the upstream business.

Belsim SA Rue Georges Berotte 29 A 4470 Saint-Georges-sur-Meuse Belgium Phone +32 4 259 88 88 Fax +32 4 259 88 89 Email: info@belsim.com Website: www.belsim.com

A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.

Chapter 13

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (1893 - 1986)

Innovation

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind.

Chapter 13

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (1893 - 1986)

Innovation

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Innovation

®

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Medicim

The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, with more than 30,000 students, is the largest university of Belgium. The university is very active in the transfer of knowledge to the community.

Medicim® develops and markets innovative solutions based on medical imaging to support diagnosis, therapy and surgery. Based on Medicim’s core competence – medical image computing – we pursue innovative solutions for a better patient care.

History Medicim® - founded in 2002 - is a spin-off company of the University of Leuven. Based on expertise accumulated at the Medical Image Computing research group at the University and a continuous high research & development investment, Medicim® brings high-level software solutions on the market. Our young and highly skilled team guarantees reliable solutions to support your clinical work!

In 1972, it established Leuven Research and Development (LRD), one of the first technology transfer units in Europe, with the specific mission to exploit the economic potential of the university’s research results.

One way to measure the knowledge-transfer between university and industry is the number of patent applications in the region. In 2003, the city of Leuven had an 11% share in patent applications by Belgian organizations, with 4,5% of the national population living in the area. This share has been rising in recent years and is still increasing. These patent applications are spread across various different institutions and companies, which is an important factor for the vitality and diversity of the region. The K.U.Leuven also has its own venture capital fund, the Gemma Frisius Fund, co-owned by K.U.Leuven, Fortis Private Equity and KBC. In addition, the more than 8,200 employees of the University Hospital Gasthuisberg, including 200 professors in the medical field, play a prominent role in the medical curricula and research in Leuven.

With its renowned knowledge institutes, its science parks and the presence of venture capitalists, the region of Leuven provides a fertile breeding-ground for spin-off companies as well as an attractive location for international research-intensive businesses.

More than 300 technology based companies are located in the Leuven region, employing around 15.000 people.

Mission Our mission is to bring new software solutions to the market to improve patient care, based on medical image computing technologies.

High-tech companies of the Leuven region are mainly concentrated in one of the following industry clusters: life sciences, feed-food-health, mechatronics, telematics and communication, E-security, Micro-electronics & Nanotechnology and Materials. Leuven Inc., Leuven Innovation Networking Circle, provides a platform for these technology firms by stimulating contacts of technology entrepreneurs with other innovation actors such as the university, high-tech start-ups, consulting agencies and venture capitalists.

Quality Medicim® is committed to design and supports safe and effective products improving patient care and providing solutions according to the needs of the clinician. Medicim® combines innovative creativity with quality awareness. This is reflected in our quality system certified according to ISO13485.

Activities Medicim® develops and markets two product lines: Maxilim® (3D image-based orthodontic and maxillofacial planning software) and Oralim (3D image-based oral implant planning software).

Medicim® also has a service for dedicated software development within the area of medical image computing. This service implements for customers dedicated software solutions.

K.U.Leuven Research & Development Minderbroedersstraat 8A - bus 5105 BE-3000 Leuven - Belgium Tel. +32 (0)16 32 65 00 Fax +32 (0)16 32 65 15 www.kuleuven.be/lrd

220

Best of Belgium

The Oralim product line is part of Nobel Biocare’s NobelGuide treatment concept.

Best of Belgium

221

Maxilim® Maxilim® is our 3D image-based software environment for assessing the anatomy of the head, and for preoperative planning of maxillofacial surgery. This software gives orthodontists, plastic surgeons as well as oral and maxillofacial surgeons the appropriate tools to diagnose their patients, to set up a treatment, and to design a surgical plan.

Maxilim® is a software platform that approaches the orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon as a team.

Salient features are: 3D cephalometry, osteotomy tools, distraction simulation, orthognathic surgery planning, texture mapping of the skin surface and facial soft tissue deformation

Medicim® N.V. www.medicim.com info@medicim.com

Registered office Callaertstraat 49 B-9100 Sint-Niklaas Belgium T.: ++32-3-296.30.62 F.: ++32-3-296.30.64

Place of Business Kardinaal Mercierplein 1 B-2800 Mechelen Belgium T.: ++32-15-44.32.00 F.: ++32-15-44.32.09

Innovation

®

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Medicim

The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, with more than 30,000 students, is the largest university of Belgium. The university is very active in the transfer of knowledge to the community.

Medicim® develops and markets innovative solutions based on medical imaging to support diagnosis, therapy and surgery. Based on Medicim’s core competence – medical image computing – we pursue innovative solutions for a better patient care.

History Medicim® - founded in 2002 - is a spin-off company of the University of Leuven. Based on expertise accumulated at the Medical Image Computing research group at the University and a continuous high research & development investment, Medicim® brings high-level software solutions on the market. Our young and highly skilled team guarantees reliable solutions to support your clinical work!

In 1972, it established Leuven Research and Development (LRD), one of the first technology transfer units in Europe, with the specific mission to exploit the economic potential of the university’s research results.

One way to measure the knowledge-transfer between university and industry is the number of patent applications in the region. In 2003, the city of Leuven had an 11% share in patent applications by Belgian organizations, with 4,5% of the national population living in the area. This share has been rising in recent years and is still increasing. These patent applications are spread across various different institutions and companies, which is an important factor for the vitality and diversity of the region. The K.U.Leuven also has its own venture capital fund, the Gemma Frisius Fund, co-owned by K.U.Leuven, Fortis Private Equity and KBC. In addition, the more than 8,200 employees of the University Hospital Gasthuisberg, including 200 professors in the medical field, play a prominent role in the medical curricula and research in Leuven.

With its renowned knowledge institutes, its science parks and the presence of venture capitalists, the region of Leuven provides a fertile breeding-ground for spin-off companies as well as an attractive location for international research-intensive businesses.

More than 300 technology based companies are located in the Leuven region, employing around 15.000 people.

Mission Our mission is to bring new software solutions to the market to improve patient care, based on medical image computing technologies.

High-tech companies of the Leuven region are mainly concentrated in one of the following industry clusters: life sciences, feed-food-health, mechatronics, telematics and communication, E-security, Micro-electronics & Nanotechnology and Materials. Leuven Inc., Leuven Innovation Networking Circle, provides a platform for these technology firms by stimulating contacts of technology entrepreneurs with other innovation actors such as the university, high-tech start-ups, consulting agencies and venture capitalists.

Quality Medicim® is committed to design and supports safe and effective products improving patient care and providing solutions according to the needs of the clinician. Medicim® combines innovative creativity with quality awareness. This is reflected in our quality system certified according to ISO13485.

Activities Medicim® develops and markets two product lines: Maxilim® (3D image-based orthodontic and maxillofacial planning software) and Oralim (3D image-based oral implant planning software).

Medicim® also has a service for dedicated software development within the area of medical image computing. This service implements for customers dedicated software solutions.

K.U.Leuven Research & Development Minderbroedersstraat 8A - bus 5105 BE-3000 Leuven - Belgium Tel. +32 (0)16 32 65 00 Fax +32 (0)16 32 65 15 www.kuleuven.be/lrd

220

Best of Belgium

The Oralim product line is part of Nobel Biocare’s NobelGuide treatment concept.

Best of Belgium

221

Maxilim® Maxilim® is our 3D image-based software environment for assessing the anatomy of the head, and for preoperative planning of maxillofacial surgery. This software gives orthodontists, plastic surgeons as well as oral and maxillofacial surgeons the appropriate tools to diagnose their patients, to set up a treatment, and to design a surgical plan.

Maxilim® is a software platform that approaches the orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon as a team.

Salient features are: 3D cephalometry, osteotomy tools, distraction simulation, orthognathic surgery planning, texture mapping of the skin surface and facial soft tissue deformation

Medicim® N.V. www.medicim.com info@medicim.com

Registered office Callaertstraat 49 B-9100 Sint-Niklaas Belgium T.: ++32-3-296.30.62 F.: ++32-3-296.30.64

Place of Business Kardinaal Mercierplein 1 B-2800 Mechelen Belgium T.: ++32-15-44.32.00 F.: ++32-15-44.32.09

Innovation

BARCO

IPCOS

Marriage of video content and LED lighting: A technology first in Vienna

IPCOS, Creators in Control

IPCOS is a company providing high end products and services for automation and optimization. We provide solutions in different industries all over the world. We have experts for the chemical, glass, power and oil producing industries. Our products range from advanced PID tuning packages, performance monitoring systems, softsensors, MPC controllers to dynamic optimizers.

We have dedicated products for the glass industry and have unique solutions for batch reactors and multi-phase reactors like fluidized bed reactors, gasifiers, granulators etc.

Designed by architect Hans Neumann, the UNIQA tower in Vienna, Austria, has become a distinct landmark in the cityscape. Located on Vienna’s Danube canal, the tower forms the headquarters of Austria’s largest insurance group, UNIQA AG. The large, glass-covered, ellipsoid building symbolizes a company opening itself to the outside world.

To strengthen this imagery of openness and transparency, lighting designers Kunst Licht Kunst interpreted the whole building as a giant screen.

Through the subtle use of moving light and images, they wanted to make the UNIQA tower a visual landmark at night, using LED technology. Applying LED lighting on a building façade posed a range of unique challenges for the Barco team to overcome.

Project Management Director Wim De Geest explains: “First of all, there was the extremely short timeframe in which the concept had to be

realized. We had about three months from order to installation. In these 90 days, we had to do the necessary research into the use of our technology on a building façade, manufacture the 45,000 LED building blocks and install everything.”

“Moreover, there were the stringent aesthetics requirements. As the lighting only works at night, the installation had to be almost invisible in daylight conditions. That is why we installed the LED blocks in between the window panes of the building. Under the flooring all cabling and controllers, needed to feed images to the LED pixels, were hidden. In total 2800 LED strips, 10 kilometer of cabling and 375 controllers were installed in such a way that they are invisible from inside or outside the building!”

‘Creators in Control’ describes exactly what IPCOS is and what we do: IPCOS creates state-ofthe-art process control and optimization products.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts in research, we deliver sophisticated products that generate value for our customers.

Within IPCOS you will find all the expertise you need to optimize your plant. Some examples of benefits we can generate on your installation.

• Increase throughput of e.g. ammonia, urea plants with 0.5% to 2%.

• Decrease the specific energy consumption of a chemical plant with 1% to 2%.

• Increase the onstream factor of a plant with 20% • Reduce batch time with 10% (or more) • Reduced grade transition time with 30% • Reduce remelt in a glass manfucturing plant

Ernst Morgenbesser, Technical Director UNIQA Tower, concludes: “The distinctive silhouette of the UNIQA tower is a new architectural landmark for the city of Vienna, brought to life by LED-lit pictures and abstract motives.”

222

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

223

IPCOS has an ideal combination of process control know-how, process knowledge, research and programming skills in house for you. We have united top-rank specialists from all these fields.

Our people are experts in their domain. They all have much experience in executing process performance improvement projects for different processing industries. They gained experience in a multitude of consulting, control and information systems projects at several production sites.

Some references: Fertilizer: Yara, Kemira Growhow, PIC, PCS Nitrogen, BASF, Qafco, Chemical: BASF, Ineos, Bayer material Science, Lanxess, Dow, DuPonT, Total Petrochemicals, Air Products, Power: EDF, Electrabel, Laborelec, Go-generation in chemical plants Glass: Pikington, Asahi, Samsung Corning, OwensIllinois, LG Philips, Schott, Philips Lighting Oil & Gas: Shell International Exploration & Production, Shell Global Solutions, @Balance, Twister IPCOS Technologielaan 11/0101 B-3001 Leuven, Belgium tel: +32 16 39 30 83 fax: +32 16 39 30 80 info@ipcos.com http://www.ipcos.com

Innovation

BARCO

IPCOS

Marriage of video content and LED lighting: A technology first in Vienna

IPCOS, Creators in Control

IPCOS is a company providing high end products and services for automation and optimization. We provide solutions in different industries all over the world. We have experts for the chemical, glass, power and oil producing industries. Our products range from advanced PID tuning packages, performance monitoring systems, softsensors, MPC controllers to dynamic optimizers.

We have dedicated products for the glass industry and have unique solutions for batch reactors and multi-phase reactors like fluidized bed reactors, gasifiers, granulators etc.

Designed by architect Hans Neumann, the UNIQA tower in Vienna, Austria, has become a distinct landmark in the cityscape. Located on Vienna’s Danube canal, the tower forms the headquarters of Austria’s largest insurance group, UNIQA AG. The large, glass-covered, ellipsoid building symbolizes a company opening itself to the outside world.

To strengthen this imagery of openness and transparency, lighting designers Kunst Licht Kunst interpreted the whole building as a giant screen.

Through the subtle use of moving light and images, they wanted to make the UNIQA tower a visual landmark at night, using LED technology. Applying LED lighting on a building façade posed a range of unique challenges for the Barco team to overcome.

Project Management Director Wim De Geest explains: “First of all, there was the extremely short timeframe in which the concept had to be

realized. We had about three months from order to installation. In these 90 days, we had to do the necessary research into the use of our technology on a building façade, manufacture the 45,000 LED building blocks and install everything.”

“Moreover, there were the stringent aesthetics requirements. As the lighting only works at night, the installation had to be almost invisible in daylight conditions. That is why we installed the LED blocks in between the window panes of the building. Under the flooring all cabling and controllers, needed to feed images to the LED pixels, were hidden. In total 2800 LED strips, 10 kilometer of cabling and 375 controllers were installed in such a way that they are invisible from inside or outside the building!”

‘Creators in Control’ describes exactly what IPCOS is and what we do: IPCOS creates state-ofthe-art process control and optimization products.

Thanks to the tremendous efforts in research, we deliver sophisticated products that generate value for our customers.

Within IPCOS you will find all the expertise you need to optimize your plant. Some examples of benefits we can generate on your installation.

• Increase throughput of e.g. ammonia, urea plants with 0.5% to 2%.

• Decrease the specific energy consumption of a chemical plant with 1% to 2%.

• Increase the onstream factor of a plant with 20% • Reduce batch time with 10% (or more) • Reduced grade transition time with 30% • Reduce remelt in a glass manfucturing plant

Ernst Morgenbesser, Technical Director UNIQA Tower, concludes: “The distinctive silhouette of the UNIQA tower is a new architectural landmark for the city of Vienna, brought to life by LED-lit pictures and abstract motives.”

222

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

223

IPCOS has an ideal combination of process control know-how, process knowledge, research and programming skills in house for you. We have united top-rank specialists from all these fields.

Our people are experts in their domain. They all have much experience in executing process performance improvement projects for different processing industries. They gained experience in a multitude of consulting, control and information systems projects at several production sites.

Some references: Fertilizer: Yara, Kemira Growhow, PIC, PCS Nitrogen, BASF, Qafco, Chemical: BASF, Ineos, Bayer material Science, Lanxess, Dow, DuPonT, Total Petrochemicals, Air Products, Power: EDF, Electrabel, Laborelec, Go-generation in chemical plants Glass: Pikington, Asahi, Samsung Corning, OwensIllinois, LG Philips, Schott, Philips Lighting Oil & Gas: Shell International Exploration & Production, Shell Global Solutions, @Balance, Twister IPCOS Technologielaan 11/0101 B-3001 Leuven, Belgium tel: +32 16 39 30 83 fax: +32 16 39 30 80 info@ipcos.com http://www.ipcos.com

Innovation

IMEC Nanotechnology – SMALL technology with BIG results.

Efficient health-care, safe transportation, healthy social environment, smart electronics…

domains include healthcare, industrial processing, food-quality control and the manufacturing of intelligent clothing.

IMEC’s sister company IMEC-NL develops basic technologies for these autonomous sensor networks in the Holst Centre, The Netherlands.

identification (RFID) tags, chemical sensors, solar cells and biosensors.

• Bio-nano ICT In its bio-nano ICT research, IMEC brings together the best of two worlds: the strengths of biological reactions and biochemical interactions are combined with electronic signal detection and amplification. This leads to new applications in medicine, diagnostics and therapeutics that would never be imaginable within the limitations of each separated domain.

Located at the heart of Europe, IMEC is a worldleading, high-tech research center. Over 1,500 employees from all over the world work together in this institute on the next generations of chips and systems, and on the enabling technologies for ambient intelligence.

IMEC investigates • Chip processing technology Thanks to the ever-continuing scaling of transistor dimensions, the fundamental building block of the chip, the semiconductor industry was able to drive down cost and enhance the performance of everyday products such as DVD players, digital cameras and mobile phones. Migration towards always smaller transistor dimensions poses considerable challenges for the semiconductor industry.

IMEC has set up the world’s largest centralized research platform where leading IC-manufacturers, together with renowned equipment and material suppliers collaborate to find innovating solutions for future technology nodes.

• Chip packaging and interconnection technologies The extreme miniaturization of transistors has a large impact on chip packaging and interconnection technologies. Also the trend to integrate different technologies together with the chip in one package, poses huge challenges. IMEC assembles a variety of disciplines and solutions in its advanced packaging and interconnect center (APIC).

• Organic electronics IMEC’s portfolio also contains polymerbased electronics, a promising technology for flexible, light and cheap microelectronic systems. While first applications already hit the market, displays based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), future applications include advanced memories, smart clothing, radio-frequency

224

Best of Belgium

• Solar Cells Renewable energy sources like solar cells will gain in importance over the next years. Experts believe that solar cells will supply 20 to 30% of the total electricity demand by 2050. IMEC improves the technology for solar cells based on crystalline silicon and organic materials and also high-efficiency photovoltaic stacks for space applications.

• High-power high-efficiency electronics for wireless communication Progress in broadband wireless communication has led to the need for systems that work at higher power and higher frequencies.

Conventional silicon-based transistors do not qualify for these applications. IMEC studies Gallium nitride (GaN) technology which can offer a solution to this problem.

• Wireless autonomous transducer solutions Wireless autonomous sensor and actuator systems combine a variety of functions like detection, data processing and wireless communication. These miniaturized systems can create a network that communicates with the environment. Application

Best of Belgium

225

• Technologies for the mobile terminal of the future Today’s mobile terminals are point solutions, supporting one specific standard or one specific application.

However, they are progressively replaced by multimode devices. The ultimate dream is a mobile terminal that offers ubiquitous broadband multimedia access, served through broadband wireless communication. The basic technologies to create this future terminal are developed at IMEC. IMEC collaborates Worldwide R&D collaboration is of the uppermost importance for the success of the IC industry and the growth of the knowledge economy.

This is why IMEC has set up a large network of partners (over 500), including IC manufacturers, equipment and material suppliers, universities, research institutes, etc.

Amongst its partners, IMEC can count world leaders as Intel, Philips, Samsung Electronics, Texas Instruments …

IMEC trains IMEC’s microelectronics training center (MTC) organizes courses and workshops on a broad range of topics ranging from IC process technology, chip- and system design, basic knowledge on IC technology, biology and multimedia. IMEC also offers an international platform called ‘Center for Advanced Learning in Information Technologies (CALIT)’ where CEOs, policy makers and scientists can meet and exchange ideas.

IMEC informs IMEC’s expertise in nanotechnology and nano-electronics can largely contribute to the scientific and technological education in Flanders. The RVOSociety, established in memory of IMECs founder, encourages the youth to study technology and translates technological documentation to their world. www.imec.be IMEC – Kapeldreef 75 – 3001 Leuven Tel: +32 16 28 12 11 - Fax: +32 16 22 94 00 Email: info@imec.be

The facts · Founded in 1984 · Independent research center · Collaboration with more than 500 partners worldwide · More than 1,500 employees · Around 50 nationalities under one roof · A young company: an average age of 35 years · More than 20 spin-offs · Unique clean room laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment · Research 3 to 10 years ahead of industrial needs · Multidisciplinary programs · Important support by the Flemish government

Innovation

IMEC Nanotechnology – SMALL technology with BIG results.

Efficient health-care, safe transportation, healthy social environment, smart electronics…

domains include healthcare, industrial processing, food-quality control and the manufacturing of intelligent clothing.

IMEC’s sister company IMEC-NL develops basic technologies for these autonomous sensor networks in the Holst Centre, The Netherlands.

identification (RFID) tags, chemical sensors, solar cells and biosensors.

• Bio-nano ICT In its bio-nano ICT research, IMEC brings together the best of two worlds: the strengths of biological reactions and biochemical interactions are combined with electronic signal detection and amplification. This leads to new applications in medicine, diagnostics and therapeutics that would never be imaginable within the limitations of each separated domain.

Located at the heart of Europe, IMEC is a worldleading, high-tech research center. Over 1,500 employees from all over the world work together in this institute on the next generations of chips and systems, and on the enabling technologies for ambient intelligence.

IMEC investigates • Chip processing technology Thanks to the ever-continuing scaling of transistor dimensions, the fundamental building block of the chip, the semiconductor industry was able to drive down cost and enhance the performance of everyday products such as DVD players, digital cameras and mobile phones. Migration towards always smaller transistor dimensions poses considerable challenges for the semiconductor industry.

IMEC has set up the world’s largest centralized research platform where leading IC-manufacturers, together with renowned equipment and material suppliers collaborate to find innovating solutions for future technology nodes.

• Chip packaging and interconnection technologies The extreme miniaturization of transistors has a large impact on chip packaging and interconnection technologies. Also the trend to integrate different technologies together with the chip in one package, poses huge challenges. IMEC assembles a variety of disciplines and solutions in its advanced packaging and interconnect center (APIC).

• Organic electronics IMEC’s portfolio also contains polymerbased electronics, a promising technology for flexible, light and cheap microelectronic systems. While first applications already hit the market, displays based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), future applications include advanced memories, smart clothing, radio-frequency

224

Best of Belgium

• Solar Cells Renewable energy sources like solar cells will gain in importance over the next years. Experts believe that solar cells will supply 20 to 30% of the total electricity demand by 2050. IMEC improves the technology for solar cells based on crystalline silicon and organic materials and also high-efficiency photovoltaic stacks for space applications.

• High-power high-efficiency electronics for wireless communication Progress in broadband wireless communication has led to the need for systems that work at higher power and higher frequencies.

Conventional silicon-based transistors do not qualify for these applications. IMEC studies Gallium nitride (GaN) technology which can offer a solution to this problem.

• Wireless autonomous transducer solutions Wireless autonomous sensor and actuator systems combine a variety of functions like detection, data processing and wireless communication. These miniaturized systems can create a network that communicates with the environment. Application

Best of Belgium

225

• Technologies for the mobile terminal of the future Today’s mobile terminals are point solutions, supporting one specific standard or one specific application.

However, they are progressively replaced by multimode devices. The ultimate dream is a mobile terminal that offers ubiquitous broadband multimedia access, served through broadband wireless communication. The basic technologies to create this future terminal are developed at IMEC. IMEC collaborates Worldwide R&D collaboration is of the uppermost importance for the success of the IC industry and the growth of the knowledge economy.

This is why IMEC has set up a large network of partners (over 500), including IC manufacturers, equipment and material suppliers, universities, research institutes, etc.

Amongst its partners, IMEC can count world leaders as Intel, Philips, Samsung Electronics, Texas Instruments …

IMEC trains IMEC’s microelectronics training center (MTC) organizes courses and workshops on a broad range of topics ranging from IC process technology, chip- and system design, basic knowledge on IC technology, biology and multimedia. IMEC also offers an international platform called ‘Center for Advanced Learning in Information Technologies (CALIT)’ where CEOs, policy makers and scientists can meet and exchange ideas.

IMEC informs IMEC’s expertise in nanotechnology and nano-electronics can largely contribute to the scientific and technological education in Flanders. The RVOSociety, established in memory of IMECs founder, encourages the youth to study technology and translates technological documentation to their world. www.imec.be IMEC – Kapeldreef 75 – 3001 Leuven Tel: +32 16 28 12 11 - Fax: +32 16 22 94 00 Email: info@imec.be

The facts · Founded in 1984 · Independent research center · Collaboration with more than 500 partners worldwide · More than 1,500 employees · Around 50 nationalities under one roof · A young company: an average age of 35 years · More than 20 spin-offs · Unique clean room laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment · Research 3 to 10 years ahead of industrial needs · Multidisciplinary programs · Important support by the Flemish government

Innovation

FOS&S Fibre Optic Sensors & Sensing Systems

are called Fibre Bragg Gratings. Optical fibre sensors clearly are a technological breakthrough. Compared to conventional electrical sensors, optical fibre sensors are: • Rugged.

The sensor is an intrinsic part of the optic cable (and therefore is a passive component). This allows the sensor (i.e. the fibre) to be embedded in the material of the structure that it is being monitored (e.g. composite material, steel). Also, fibre optic sensors show no interference with electromagnetic radiation. All this translates in exceptionally high durability (25-30 years) From a start-up based in the founder’s garage 17 years ago, to a groundbreaking technology firm that distributes its products across the globe. Sound familiar?

FOS&S really is one of Belgium’s inspiring success stories. Not a hyped dotcom but a business based on hard science that is revolutionizing the field of sensing systems.

Think aircraft, oil pipelines, suspension bridges, mines, stadiums, high-speed rail track—in fact, any structure that relies on good sensing technology to ensure safety and operational effectiveness. This is the world of FOS&S, developing rugged and highly efficient sensing systems.

Sensing technology—the conventional electrical type—has been around for some time. In industrial and other extreme environments, however, such technology is vulnerable and sometimes downright dangerous.

Electrical sensors can fail due to prolonged exposure

to extreme temperatures, pressures or electromagnetic radiation. Since they operate via electrical signals they can even trigger explosions. However, such vulnerabilities may rapidly become a thing of the past. Enter FOS&S and its fibre optic sensing technology.

While most of us may be familiar with optic fibre for telecommunication purposes, FOS&S is able to turn optic fibre in a sensor by exploiting a physics law known as the Bragg condition. Simply put, by exposing the core of a fibre to intense ultraviolet light the reflective properties of the fibre can be ‘programmed’ in such a way that it is possible to use the fibre to measure temperature and strain.

These ‘programmed’ sections of fibre

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• Efficient.

Being part of the optic fibre, the sensors can transmit measurement signals over several tens of kilometers precluding the use of complicated repeater networks. Also, they have the ability to multiplex many sensors using only one optical fibre, hence reducing the cost of complex network configurations. Finally, fibre sensors are extremely light and thin (comparable to human hair), which make them particularly interesting for the aerospace industry

the Athens Olympic Velodrome’ roof structure (designed by famous architect Santiago Calatrava) and the structural health monitoring of the Stonecutters Bridge in Hong Kong, a massive 1,6 km long dual 3-lane high level cable stayed bridge currently being built to connect Stonecutters Island and Tsing Yi Island (when complete it will be one of the longest span cable-stayed bridges in the world). FOS&S will monitor the temperature and strain inside the stay cables by inserting optic fibre sensors inside the cables.

• Safe.

Fibre optic sensors do not make use of electrical signals, making them explosion safe

While FOS&S has expanded steadily for some time, the company is currently in a particularly steep growth curve. While this is due partly to the large projects it has recently secured, a longer-term driver of growth is the increasing use of composite materials for a myriad of industrial and engineering purposes.

Given these benefits, FOS&S’ products have found their way in a range of structures and materials, including sub-sea oil pipelines and cables, oil platform pylons, underground Nuclear Waste repositories, and various civil engineering structures such as bridges and buildings. Some of the more notable projects that the company is currently engaged in include the in-flight structural health monitoring of aircraft structures for Airbus, the structural health monitoring of

Beyond the capability of producing the fibre itself, FOS&S also is a world leader in embedding optic fibre sensors in various types of composite materials. More applications are constantly being researched at the FOS&S lab in Belgium, ranging from

Best of Belgium

227

the panels of freight trailers to waveenergy installations and spacecraft components.

The FOS&S engineering team also offers customized development solutions for applications where no standard solutions exists as of yet.

The sky is the limit—in more ways than one.

Contact: Tel: +32 14 581191 Fax: +32 14 591514 www.fos-s.com Cipalstraat 14 2440 Geel Belgium

Innovation

FOS&S Fibre Optic Sensors & Sensing Systems

are called Fibre Bragg Gratings. Optical fibre sensors clearly are a technological breakthrough. Compared to conventional electrical sensors, optical fibre sensors are: • Rugged.

The sensor is an intrinsic part of the optic cable (and therefore is a passive component). This allows the sensor (i.e. the fibre) to be embedded in the material of the structure that it is being monitored (e.g. composite material, steel). Also, fibre optic sensors show no interference with electromagnetic radiation. All this translates in exceptionally high durability (25-30 years) From a start-up based in the founder’s garage 17 years ago, to a groundbreaking technology firm that distributes its products across the globe. Sound familiar?

FOS&S really is one of Belgium’s inspiring success stories. Not a hyped dotcom but a business based on hard science that is revolutionizing the field of sensing systems.

Think aircraft, oil pipelines, suspension bridges, mines, stadiums, high-speed rail track—in fact, any structure that relies on good sensing technology to ensure safety and operational effectiveness. This is the world of FOS&S, developing rugged and highly efficient sensing systems.

Sensing technology—the conventional electrical type—has been around for some time. In industrial and other extreme environments, however, such technology is vulnerable and sometimes downright dangerous.

Electrical sensors can fail due to prolonged exposure

to extreme temperatures, pressures or electromagnetic radiation. Since they operate via electrical signals they can even trigger explosions. However, such vulnerabilities may rapidly become a thing of the past. Enter FOS&S and its fibre optic sensing technology.

While most of us may be familiar with optic fibre for telecommunication purposes, FOS&S is able to turn optic fibre in a sensor by exploiting a physics law known as the Bragg condition. Simply put, by exposing the core of a fibre to intense ultraviolet light the reflective properties of the fibre can be ‘programmed’ in such a way that it is possible to use the fibre to measure temperature and strain.

These ‘programmed’ sections of fibre

226

Best of Belgium

• Efficient.

Being part of the optic fibre, the sensors can transmit measurement signals over several tens of kilometers precluding the use of complicated repeater networks. Also, they have the ability to multiplex many sensors using only one optical fibre, hence reducing the cost of complex network configurations. Finally, fibre sensors are extremely light and thin (comparable to human hair), which make them particularly interesting for the aerospace industry

the Athens Olympic Velodrome’ roof structure (designed by famous architect Santiago Calatrava) and the structural health monitoring of the Stonecutters Bridge in Hong Kong, a massive 1,6 km long dual 3-lane high level cable stayed bridge currently being built to connect Stonecutters Island and Tsing Yi Island (when complete it will be one of the longest span cable-stayed bridges in the world). FOS&S will monitor the temperature and strain inside the stay cables by inserting optic fibre sensors inside the cables.

• Safe.

Fibre optic sensors do not make use of electrical signals, making them explosion safe

While FOS&S has expanded steadily for some time, the company is currently in a particularly steep growth curve. While this is due partly to the large projects it has recently secured, a longer-term driver of growth is the increasing use of composite materials for a myriad of industrial and engineering purposes.

Given these benefits, FOS&S’ products have found their way in a range of structures and materials, including sub-sea oil pipelines and cables, oil platform pylons, underground Nuclear Waste repositories, and various civil engineering structures such as bridges and buildings. Some of the more notable projects that the company is currently engaged in include the in-flight structural health monitoring of aircraft structures for Airbus, the structural health monitoring of

Beyond the capability of producing the fibre itself, FOS&S also is a world leader in embedding optic fibre sensors in various types of composite materials. More applications are constantly being researched at the FOS&S lab in Belgium, ranging from

Best of Belgium

227

the panels of freight trailers to waveenergy installations and spacecraft components.

The FOS&S engineering team also offers customized development solutions for applications where no standard solutions exists as of yet.

The sky is the limit—in more ways than one.

Contact: Tel: +32 14 581191 Fax: +32 14 591514 www.fos-s.com Cipalstraat 14 2440 Geel Belgium

Innovation

ICOS Vision Systems

25

Pioneering Vision Technology

in Leuven, in the field of inspection and metrology for three dimensional (3D) packaging. This program underscores its technical leadership in the field and its unrelenting commitment to invest in the technologies and products of the future.

Strategic approach Anton De Proft, ICOS President and Chief Executive, strongly believes in longterm relations with clients and continuous investment in product development and excellent worldwide customer support, and ICOS has developed strongly over the past years as a result.

ICOS Headquarters in Leuven, Belgium

ICOS inspects your chips It is likely that three quarters of the integrated circuits (IC) in your telephone or PC have been visually inspected on ICOS equipment. The ICOS systems perform the final examination to check the contacts between the chips and other applications, including cell phones, cars, digital cameras or flat panels.

ICOS is a Belgian public company listed on the Euronext Stock market. ICOS is a leading worldwide developer and supplier of inspection equipment, primarily for use in the back-end semiconductor and the electronics assembly markets.

From start up to global company ICOS was set up in 1982 as a spin-off of the image processing laboratory of the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), under the leadership of Professor Dr. Ir. Oosterlinck who is still an active member of the Board of Directors, and developed into a market leader within 25 years. Between 1982 and 1985 ICOS still had no clearly defined market strategy or focus on target markets. It was not until 1985 that ICOS focused all its attention on the back-end semiconductor and electronic assembly industries.

In the process of specializing in semiconductor package inspection, ICOS embarked on a geographical expansion. In 1986, ICOS set up a subsidiary company in the US, followed in 1991 by a subsidiary in Japan. In 1995 a branch office was set up in Hong Kong and in 1996 in Singapore. The operations of both branches were transferred to newly incorporated subsidiaries in 2003. In 2004, ICOS also set up an office in Korea and in 2006 in Taiwan.

ICOS designs and manufactures inspection equipment for semiconductor packaging and interconnect applications. With 70 per cent of market share, ICOS is a world-leading supplier of equipment for the visual control of semiconductor components, before they are used in various applications such as PC’s, cell phones or cars.

ICOS’ systems perform two-and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) inspection of IC’s, wafers, solar cells, substrates, sockets, etc. ICOS offers stand-alone inspection systems, as well as inspection modules for integration.

Automated Inspection of Semiconductor Chips

ICOS is also expanding its workforce. The number of new employees will be dictated by the growth of the market. The company currently has 160 employees in Belgium, 79 in China and 104 across the rest of the world.

ICOS works also together with IMEC, a world-leading independent research center in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology based

228

Best of Belgium

ICOS oversees design, sales & support and controls manufacturing. The manufacturing organization is optimized for flexibility, to deal with the semiconductor market cycles. The supply chain is mainly located around Belgium, Hong Kong and China. It takes charge of quality control, supply chain management and final assembly. The company has also built up a flexible operational model. In order to keep fixed costs as low as possible, the company works with a large network of distributors stretching across Belgium, Germany, China and Singapore. This allows for a rapid response to volume changes in the demand for new systems.

Best of Belgium

229

Belief in the future The increased popularity of consumer electronics in particular presents opportunities for growth for ICOS. It is no longer merely a question of fitting semiconductors into a computer; they are also used in cell phones, cars, mp3 players, game consoles and TV screens. The quality requirements are exceedingly high, because the chip must for instance also continue to function properly in fluctuating temperatures or when we drop our phone, we expect to pick it up and make our next phone call.

Over the past decade the development of new semiconductor packagings was driven by the need for smaller electronic products with a higher functionality, higher speed and lower cost price. That evolutionary process continues. All of these trends pose packaging challenges and semiconductor packaging plays a key role in enabling those new applications. ICOS is committed to provide the inspection and metrology tools that enable its customers to meet those challenges.

ICOS received numerous awards over the years, including three awards in 2006, i.e. “the Preferred Quality Suppliers” award from Intel Corporation, “the Regional Supplier Recognition Award” from Texas Instruments and it was ranked in the ’10 Best’ survey from VLSI Research for equipment end-users in the category assembly equipment.

For further information, visit www.icos.be

Innovation

ICOS Vision Systems Pioneering Vision Technology

25

in Leuven, in the field of inspection and metrology for three dimensional (3D) packaging. This program underscores its technical leadership in the field and its unrelenting commitment to invest in the technologies and products of the future.

Strategic approach Anton De Proft, ICOS President and Chief Executive, strongly believes in longterm relations with clients and continuous investment in product development and excellent worldwide customer support, and ICOS has developed strongly over the past years as a result.

ICOS Headquarters in Leuven, Belgium

ICOS inspects your chips It is likely that three quarters of the integrated circuits (IC) in your telephone or PC have been visually inspected on ICOS equipment. The ICOS systems perform the final examination to check the contacts between the chips and other applications, including cell phones, cars, digital cameras or flat panels.

ICOS is a Belgian public company listed on the Euronext Stock market. ICOS is a leading worldwide developer and supplier of inspection equipment, primarily for use in the back-end semiconductor and the electronics assembly markets.

From start up to global company ICOS was set up in 1982 as a spin-off of the image processing laboratory of the Catholic University of Leuven (KUL), under the leadership of Professor Dr. Ir. Oosterlinck who is still an active member of the Board of Directors, and developed into a market leader within 25 years. Between 1982 and 1985 ICOS still had no clearly defined market strategy or focus on target markets. It was not until 1985 that ICOS focused all its attention on the back-end semiconductor and electronic assembly industries.

In the process of specializing in semiconductor package inspection, ICOS embarked on a geographical expansion. In 1986, ICOS set up a subsidiary company in the US, followed in 1991 by a subsidiary in Japan. In 1995 a branch office was set up in Hong Kong and in 1996 in Singapore. The operations of both branches were transferred to newly incorporated subsidiaries in 2003. In 2004, ICOS also set up an office in Korea and in 2006 in Taiwan.

ICOS designs and manufactures inspection equipment for semiconductor packaging and interconnect applications. With 70 per cent of market share, ICOS is a world-leading supplier of equipment for the visual control of semiconductor components, before they are used in various applications such as PC’s, cell phones or cars.

ICOS’ systems perform two-and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) inspection of IC’s, wafers, solar cells, substrates, sockets, etc. ICOS offers stand-alone inspection systems, as well as inspection modules for integration.

Automated Inspection of Semiconductor Chips

ICOS is also expanding its workforce. The number of new employees will be dictated by the growth of the market. The company currently has 160 employees in Belgium, 79 in China and 104 across the rest of the world.

ICOS works also together with IMEC, a world-leading independent research center in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology based

228

Best of Belgium

ICOS oversees design, sales & support and controls manufacturing. The manufacturing organization is optimized for flexibility, to deal with the semiconductor market cycles. The supply chain is mainly located around Belgium, Hong Kong and China. It takes charge of quality control, supply chain management and final assembly. The company has also built up a flexible operational model. In order to keep fixed costs as low as possible, the company works with a large network of distributors stretching across Belgium, Germany, China and Singapore. This allows for a rapid response to volume changes in the demand for new systems.

Best of Belgium

229

Belief in the future The increased popularity of consumer electronics in particular presents opportunities for growth for ICOS. It is no longer merely a question of fitting semiconductors into a computer; they are also used in cell phones, cars, mp3 players, game consoles and TV screens. The quality requirements are exceedingly high, because the chip must for instance also continue to function properly in fluctuating temperatures or when we drop our phone, we expect to pick it up and make our next phone call.

Over the past decade the development of new semiconductor packagings was driven by the need for smaller electronic products with a higher functionality, higher speed and lower cost price. That evolutionary process continues. All of these trends pose packaging challenges and semiconductor packaging plays a key role in enabling those new applications. ICOS is committed to provide the inspection and metrology tools that enable its customers to meet those challenges.

ICOS received numerous awards over the years, including three awards in 2006, i.e. “the Preferred Quality Suppliers” award from Intel Corporation, “the Regional Supplier Recognition Award” from Texas Instruments and it was ranked in the ’10 Best’ survey from VLSI Research for equipment end-users in the category assembly equipment.

For further information, visit www.icos.be

Innovation

Metris: Innovative solutions for automotive and aerospace quality control The importance of quality control has been steadily increasing in the industrial world. More specifically in the automotive and aerospace industry,where safety, aesthetics, aerodynamics, manufacturing efficiency, scrap reduction and overall brand quality recognition are important drivers for indepth inspection during the whole manufacturing process.

Metris, awarded as entrepreneur of the year in 2006, supplies innovative metrology solutions for dimensional quality control to the engineering and manufacturing departments of automotive and aerospace companies and their suppliers.

Since its inception in 1995, Metris has explosively grown organically and through acquisitions.

Currently Metris employs more than 440 persons worldwide. Metris is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with production facilities in Belgium, the US (Virginia), the UK (Derby), Italy (Torino) and China (Shanghai). Metris also has R&D departments in Belgium, the US (California and Virginia), the UK (Derby and London) and Italy (Torino). The company also has a network of own sales offices in Germany, the UK, the US, France, Italy, Japan and China and an extensive service and distribution network.

An essential characteristic of Metris is its history of a customer-centric buy-and-build strategy.

Based on an in-depth analysis of customer requirements and needs, Metris has completed 7 acquisitions since 2005, growing the company from 50 to 440 employees. Through integration and further development of the acquired technologies and products, Metris now offers an

innovative, total product portfolio to its automotive and aerospace clients.

The product portfolio of Metris includes both breakthrough optical metrology technologies such as Laser scanning, Laser Radar, iGPS, Optical CMM as well as the more traditional mechanical metrology technologies such as horizontal arm and bridge CMMs. The product portfolio is complemented with associated services and application software for quality control and reverse engineering.

The metrology market where Metris is active is estimated to be worth 2,3 billion € (2005 Frost& Sullivan figures). With a 3,5% market share Metris is positioning as the challenger in the metrology market featuring one of most complete product and service portfolio. Metris is also offering what Metris would consider the best-in-class technologies in each of the product categories. Some of these technologies such as Laser Radar and iGPS are unique in their segment.

The last years were characterized by remarkable milestones. 2006 started with the triple acquisition of LK, Arc Second and 3D Scanners. Metris expanded its worldwide presence by opening an

230

Best of Belgium

The enthusiastic Metris team celebrates the “Entrepreneur of the year 2006” award

office in Japan. Metris was celebrated by receiving also a variety of impressive awards such as the Frost&Sullivan Growth Strategy Leadership award, the Best UK Export Ambassador award and the “Entrepreneur of the year 2006” award, the most prestigious award that a company can receive in Belgium.

In December 2006 the IPO of Metris was successfully completed, raising almost 100 million € in a combined primary and secondary offering.

Metris also presented strong 2006 results. The Company generated revenues of 18.5 million € in 2005 on a consolidated basis and 62 million € in 2006 on a consolidated basis. In May 2007, Metris acquired another CMM manufacturer Coord3 to further expand its market presence.

Metris Interleuvenlaan 86 - 3001 Leuven - Belgium Tel +32 16 74 01 01 - Fax +32 16 74 01 02 marketing@metris.com www.metris.com

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231

Helping automotive customers to optimize their inspection processes

Optical metrology revolutionizes aerospace inspection and assembly

“The components of the car must fit perfectly,” says the head of the department geometry at Volvo Cars Gent. “This finally determines the quality of a car. If the components are not 100% matching, the driver will experience the most annoying complaints such as leak, squeak and rattle. Therefore quality is made and well engineered at the beginning of the development cycle.”

Metris provides unique innovative solution for inspection and assembly of airplane components. The laser radar inspects whether large parts such as wings are manufactured correctly. The iGPS solution creates factory-wide measurement volume and reduces considerably the time for a seamless assembly of wings and fuselages.

Of utmost importance is that the geometry is thoroughly inspected during the start of the development and pre production, long before a new model goes in production. To improve the inspection processes, Volvo Cars and Metris joined forces to complement the traditional inspection process with new optical inspection technologies.

Innovation

Metris: Innovative solutions for automotive and aerospace quality control The importance of quality control has been steadily increasing in the industrial world. More specifically in the automotive and aerospace industry,where safety, aesthetics, aerodynamics, manufacturing efficiency, scrap reduction and overall brand quality recognition are important drivers for indepth inspection during the whole manufacturing process.

Metris, awarded as entrepreneur of the year in 2006, supplies innovative metrology solutions for dimensional quality control to the engineering and manufacturing departments of automotive and aerospace companies and their suppliers.

Since its inception in 1995, Metris has explosively grown organically and through acquisitions.

Currently Metris employs more than 440 persons worldwide. Metris is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, with production facilities in Belgium, the US (Virginia), the UK (Derby), Italy (Torino) and China (Shanghai). Metris also has R&D departments in Belgium, the US (California and Virginia), the UK (Derby and London) and Italy (Torino). The company also has a network of own sales offices in Germany, the UK, the US, France, Italy, Japan and China and an extensive service and distribution network.

An essential characteristic of Metris is its history of a customer-centric buy-and-build strategy.

Based on an in-depth analysis of customer requirements and needs, Metris has completed 7 acquisitions since 2005, growing the company from 50 to 440 employees. Through integration and further development of the acquired technologies and products, Metris now offers an

innovative, total product portfolio to its automotive and aerospace clients.

The product portfolio of Metris includes both breakthrough optical metrology technologies such as Laser scanning, Laser Radar, iGPS, Optical CMM as well as the more traditional mechanical metrology technologies such as horizontal arm and bridge CMMs. The product portfolio is complemented with associated services and application software for quality control and reverse engineering.

The metrology market where Metris is active is estimated to be worth 2,3 billion € (2005 Frost& Sullivan figures). With a 3,5% market share Metris is positioning as the challenger in the metrology market featuring one of most complete product and service portfolio. Metris is also offering what Metris would consider the best-in-class technologies in each of the product categories. Some of these technologies such as Laser Radar and iGPS are unique in their segment.

The last years were characterized by remarkable milestones. 2006 started with the triple acquisition of LK, Arc Second and 3D Scanners. Metris expanded its worldwide presence by opening an

230

Best of Belgium

The enthusiastic Metris team celebrates the “Entrepreneur of the year 2006” award

office in Japan. Metris was celebrated by receiving also a variety of impressive awards such as the Frost&Sullivan Growth Strategy Leadership award, the Best UK Export Ambassador award and the “Entrepreneur of the year 2006” award, the most prestigious award that a company can receive in Belgium.

In December 2006 the IPO of Metris was successfully completed, raising almost 100 million € in a combined primary and secondary offering.

Metris also presented strong 2006 results. The Company generated revenues of 18.5 million € in 2005 on a consolidated basis and 62 million € in 2006 on a consolidated basis. In May 2007, Metris acquired another CMM manufacturer Coord3 to further expand its market presence.

Metris Interleuvenlaan 86 - 3001 Leuven - Belgium Tel +32 16 74 01 01 - Fax +32 16 74 01 02 marketing@metris.com www.metris.com

Best of Belgium

231

Helping automotive customers to optimize their inspection processes

Optical metrology revolutionizes aerospace inspection and assembly

“The components of the car must fit perfectly,” says the head of the department geometry at Volvo Cars Gent. “This finally determines the quality of a car. If the components are not 100% matching, the driver will experience the most annoying complaints such as leak, squeak and rattle. Therefore quality is made and well engineered at the beginning of the development cycle.”

Metris provides unique innovative solution for inspection and assembly of airplane components. The laser radar inspects whether large parts such as wings are manufactured correctly. The iGPS solution creates factory-wide measurement volume and reduces considerably the time for a seamless assembly of wings and fuselages.

Of utmost importance is that the geometry is thoroughly inspected during the start of the development and pre production, long before a new model goes in production. To improve the inspection processes, Volvo Cars and Metris joined forces to complement the traditional inspection process with new optical inspection technologies.

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION”

TUNNEL

ROAD

URBAN

A TRAFICON FILM

Today, Traficon is the global leader in traffic detection based on video image processing: producers of technology for traffic data acquisition and automatic incident detection, directors of intersection management, creators of safe, smooth-flowing traffic.

No stunts here Tunnels are probably the most dangerous motoring environments. In a tunnel, a seemingly small event - smoke, spilled cargo, a pedestrian - can cause a traffic incident that quickly escalates into a major tragedy. Trapped in a tunnel with no chance to escape! More and more traffic managers are convinced that investments in incident management are absolutely necessary. As they know, effective incident management can save lives!

Every minute counts Effective incident management depends entirely on fast incident detection and fast incident verification. With each passing minute, the risk of another accident compounding the first one rises dramatically. The time to clear the original incident is critical.

OUT ON THE STREETS, EVERY SECOND COUNTS.

TR

Out into the sunshine Stopped vehicles, wrong-way drivers, tail-backs, slow moving vehicles, fallen objects…

Traficon’s tunnel incident detection module analyses camera images in real-time and detects all major incidents within seconds. Result: the danger of the incident is substantially reduced and secondary impacts are prevented.

F AF IC

“Traficon’s Automatic Incident Detection solution has led to a higher level of safety in more than 200 tunnels!”

— Lode Caenepeel, Sales Director Traficon

F

PR OO

FRÉJUS TUNNEL U.A.E. BEIRUT AIRPORT TUNNEL SLOVENIA PODMILJ & TROJANE TUNNEL TURKEY BOLEMAN PERSEMBLE TUNNEL SOUTH AFRICA HUGUENOT TUNNEL THE NETHERLANDS BENELUX TUNNEL HONG KONG LION ROCK TUNNEL GERMANY SCHWARZERBERG TUNNEL

FRANCE

VISIT US AT WWW.TRAFICON.COM

TRAF Ad Tunnel A4 FN.indd 1

03-04-2007 15:01:04

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION”

Keep on truckin’ Throughout the day, Traficon detectors provide standard traffic data - volume, speed, occupancy, gap time, … - to be used for traffic analysis.

Building on development started in 1979 by the University of Leuven, Traficon research has since delivered a range of powerful products. We have been an ISO9001:2000 certified company since 1998, and our products are marketed by an international group of carefully selected partners. A full 20% of our sales revenue is re-invested in R&D. Carrying our mission forward, we are conducting a policy of continuous quality improvement in all areas: organisation, methods, products and services.

of VIP (Video Image Processor) boards integrated into a standard 19-inch rack. When the VIP is set up, detection zones are superimposed onto the video image. When a vehicle enters these detection zones, it is detected by the system.

Special algorithms calculate various types of traffic information: presence and incident-related data, data for statistical processing, and data for pre- and post incident analysis.

Automatic incident detection But what happens when - suddenly - there’s a stopped vehicle, a wrong-way driver, or cargo spilled on the road? A queue can form in seconds. Thanks to Traficon’s fast detection of dangerous incidents, intervention is rapid and lives are saved.

How do we do it?

We install a video camera at a certain height to monitor traffic. The camera sends an input signal to a detection unit - which is typically a number

WHERE EVER THE ROAD TAKES YOU…

“Our VIP modules automatically detect traffic incidents such as queues or stopped vehicles within seconds, leading to a significant reduction in economical and ecological cost.”

F AF IC

— Jo Versavel, Managing Director Traficon PR OO

BELGIUM

ANTWERP FRANCE A28 MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR U.S.A. ATLANTA CHINA BEIJING RUSSIA MOSCOW IRELAND M50 DUBLIN BRESCIA (A4) VERONA (A31) GREECE ATHENS SWITZERLAND A12 FRIBOURG NORWAY E39 GERMANY STRELASUND

ITALY

VISIT US AT WWW.TRAFICON.COM

Why is traficon the reference?

There are a number of good reasons: • Traficon has 25 years of experience in the field of traffic vehicle detection.

• Traficon has more than 40,000 detectors operational worldwide.

• Traficon has installations in more than 220 tunnels around the world.

• More than 450 km of tunnels worldwide are equipped with a Traficon system.

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION”

TUNNEL

ROAD

TRAF Ad Road A4 R3.indd 1

URBAN

TR

Our 60 highly qualified, dynamic employees lead the way forward and set Traficon apart from the competition by delivering: • Products that are reliable and easy to use • Products that simply perform better than alternative video detection products • Superior service - Traficon guarantees you tailor-made solutions and experienced project support.

F AF IC

“Easy installation and configuration with a vehicle presence detection rate over 99% is the basic starting-point for our R&D team.”

PR OO

— Ilse Roelants, R&D Director Traficon

U.S.A.

VISIT US AT WWW.TRAFICON.COM

TRAF Ad Urban A4 R5.indd 1

Best of Belgium

Urban cruise control When it comes to monitoring and managing intersections, Traficon’s video detection technology has proven to be a highly reliable and accurate alternative to loops and other detection technologies. The Video Image Processor (VIP) provides all standard traffic data (queue length, vehicle speed, etc.) as well as information on the presence of vehicles approaching or waiting at the intersection.

Watch your city Using video detection to monitor heavily travelled intersections enables the use of remote control. With a standard Web Browser (Ethernet) or Traficon’s PC client software, traffic managers can monitor traffic data and alarm events, execute a complete set up or modify detection zones - right from their desks.

CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS BELGIUM CITY OF BRUSSELS U.A.E. FALCON (DUBAI) U.S.A. CITY OF LYNNWOOD (WA) IRELAND CITY OF DUBLIN GERMANY CITY OF MÜNSTER U.S.A. BALTIMORE COUNTY (MD) CANADA CITY OF BRAMPTON FRANCE CITY OF DIJON MEXICO CITY OF MONTERREY POLAND CITY OF WARSAW CHINA CITY OF DAQING

More info: www.traficon.com

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03-04-2007 14:38:41

A TRAFICON FILM

NO JAMS. JUST DRIVING.

What do we do?

We monitor traffic, detect hazardous incidents, and provide data and information that improve traffic safety and flow.

URBAN

A TRAFICON FILM

TR

Powered by our mission and market position, we aim to: • contribute to more fluid, safer traffic; • improve quality of life through correct and creative application of new technologies; • enhance both society and economy with the cooperative, creative and confident efforts of all Traficon team members.

ROAD

F

VIP Module

TUNNEL

Slow but moving Traffic is becoming more and more congested in large metropolitan areas in all parts of the world. Traficon accurately monitors traffic flow speeds to help keep highways safe by differentiating levels of service: fluid, dense, congested, or queue. Traficon applications also monitor queues during road-works and calculate travel time based on flow information from Video Image Processors (VIPs).

F

Innovation

“Our Mission Is To Be The Worldwide Market Leader In Video Image Processing For Traffic Analysis.”

Best of Belgium

03-04-2007 14:44:56

233

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION”

TUNNEL

ROAD

URBAN

A TRAFICON FILM

Today, Traficon is the global leader in traffic detection based on video image processing: producers of technology for traffic data acquisition and automatic incident detection, directors of intersection management, creators of safe, smooth-flowing traffic.

No stunts here Tunnels are probably the most dangerous motoring environments. In a tunnel, a seemingly small event - smoke, spilled cargo, a pedestrian - can cause a traffic incident that quickly escalates into a major tragedy. Trapped in a tunnel with no chance to escape! More and more traffic managers are convinced that investments in incident management are absolutely necessary. As they know, effective incident management can save lives!

Every minute counts Effective incident management depends entirely on fast incident detection and fast incident verification. With each passing minute, the risk of another accident compounding the first one rises dramatically. The time to clear the original incident is critical.

OUT ON THE STREETS, EVERY SECOND COUNTS.

TR

Out into the sunshine Stopped vehicles, wrong-way drivers, tail-backs, slow moving vehicles, fallen objects…

Traficon’s tunnel incident detection module analyses camera images in real-time and detects all major incidents within seconds. Result: the danger of the incident is substantially reduced and secondary impacts are prevented.

F AF IC

“Traficon’s Automatic Incident Detection solution has led to a higher level of safety in more than 200 tunnels!”

— Lode Caenepeel, Sales Director Traficon

F

PR OO

FRÉJUS TUNNEL U.A.E. BEIRUT AIRPORT TUNNEL SLOVENIA PODMILJ & TROJANE TUNNEL TURKEY BOLEMAN PERSEMBLE TUNNEL SOUTH AFRICA HUGUENOT TUNNEL THE NETHERLANDS BENELUX TUNNEL HONG KONG LION ROCK TUNNEL GERMANY SCHWARZERBERG TUNNEL

FRANCE

VISIT US AT WWW.TRAFICON.COM

TRAF Ad Tunnel A4 FN.indd 1

03-04-2007 15:01:04

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION”

Keep on truckin’ Throughout the day, Traficon detectors provide standard traffic data - volume, speed, occupancy, gap time, … - to be used for traffic analysis.

Building on development started in 1979 by the University of Leuven, Traficon research has since delivered a range of powerful products. We have been an ISO9001:2000 certified company since 1998, and our products are marketed by an international group of carefully selected partners. A full 20% of our sales revenue is re-invested in R&D. Carrying our mission forward, we are conducting a policy of continuous quality improvement in all areas: organisation, methods, products and services.

of VIP (Video Image Processor) boards integrated into a standard 19-inch rack. When the VIP is set up, detection zones are superimposed onto the video image. When a vehicle enters these detection zones, it is detected by the system.

Special algorithms calculate various types of traffic information: presence and incident-related data, data for statistical processing, and data for pre- and post incident analysis.

Automatic incident detection But what happens when - suddenly - there’s a stopped vehicle, a wrong-way driver, or cargo spilled on the road? A queue can form in seconds. Thanks to Traficon’s fast detection of dangerous incidents, intervention is rapid and lives are saved.

How do we do it?

We install a video camera at a certain height to monitor traffic. The camera sends an input signal to a detection unit - which is typically a number

WHERE EVER THE ROAD TAKES YOU…

“Our VIP modules automatically detect traffic incidents such as queues or stopped vehicles within seconds, leading to a significant reduction in economical and ecological cost.”

F AF IC

— Jo Versavel, Managing Director Traficon PR OO

BELGIUM

ANTWERP FRANCE A28 MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR U.S.A. ATLANTA CHINA BEIJING RUSSIA MOSCOW IRELAND M50 DUBLIN BRESCIA (A4) VERONA (A31) GREECE ATHENS SWITZERLAND A12 FRIBOURG NORWAY E39 GERMANY STRELASUND

ITALY

VISIT US AT WWW.TRAFICON.COM

Why is traficon the reference?

There are a number of good reasons: • Traficon has 25 years of experience in the field of traffic vehicle detection.

• Traficon has more than 40,000 detectors operational worldwide.

• Traficon has installations in more than 220 tunnels around the world.

• More than 450 km of tunnels worldwide are equipped with a Traficon system.

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “THE WORLD OF TRAFFIC VIDEO DETECTION”

TUNNEL

ROAD

TRAF Ad Road A4 R3.indd 1

URBAN

TR

Our 60 highly qualified, dynamic employees lead the way forward and set Traficon apart from the competition by delivering: • Products that are reliable and easy to use • Products that simply perform better than alternative video detection products • Superior service - Traficon guarantees you tailor-made solutions and experienced project support.

F AF IC

“Easy installation and configuration with a vehicle presence detection rate over 99% is the basic starting-point for our R&D team.”

PR OO

— Ilse Roelants, R&D Director Traficon

U.S.A.

VISIT US AT WWW.TRAFICON.COM

TRAF Ad Urban A4 R5.indd 1

Best of Belgium

Urban cruise control When it comes to monitoring and managing intersections, Traficon’s video detection technology has proven to be a highly reliable and accurate alternative to loops and other detection technologies. The Video Image Processor (VIP) provides all standard traffic data (queue length, vehicle speed, etc.) as well as information on the presence of vehicles approaching or waiting at the intersection.

Watch your city Using video detection to monitor heavily travelled intersections enables the use of remote control. With a standard Web Browser (Ethernet) or Traficon’s PC client software, traffic managers can monitor traffic data and alarm events, execute a complete set up or modify detection zones - right from their desks.

CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS BELGIUM CITY OF BRUSSELS U.A.E. FALCON (DUBAI) U.S.A. CITY OF LYNNWOOD (WA) IRELAND CITY OF DUBLIN GERMANY CITY OF MÜNSTER U.S.A. BALTIMORE COUNTY (MD) CANADA CITY OF BRAMPTON FRANCE CITY OF DIJON MEXICO CITY OF MONTERREY POLAND CITY OF WARSAW CHINA CITY OF DAQING

More info: www.traficon.com

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A TRAFICON FILM

NO JAMS. JUST DRIVING.

What do we do?

We monitor traffic, detect hazardous incidents, and provide data and information that improve traffic safety and flow.

URBAN

A TRAFICON FILM

TR

Powered by our mission and market position, we aim to: • contribute to more fluid, safer traffic; • improve quality of life through correct and creative application of new technologies; • enhance both society and economy with the cooperative, creative and confident efforts of all Traficon team members.

ROAD

F

VIP Module

TUNNEL

Slow but moving Traffic is becoming more and more congested in large metropolitan areas in all parts of the world. Traficon accurately monitors traffic flow speeds to help keep highways safe by differentiating levels of service: fluid, dense, congested, or queue. Traficon applications also monitor queues during road-works and calculate travel time based on flow information from Video Image Processors (VIPs).

F

Innovation

“Our Mission Is To Be The Worldwide Market Leader In Video Image Processing For Traffic Analysis.”

Best of Belgium

03-04-2007 14:44:56

233

Innovation

Siemens Inherently innovative

Industry

How can we keep an increasing amount of people and goods moving smoothly and safely? Maintain affordable healthcare in spite of an aging population? Keep western manufacturing competitive while taking advantage of a globalizing world? Protect the environment without compromising our standard of living? Guarantee security in a rapidly changing world without sacrificing freedom?

This is how we have developed many innovative sector-related solutions and why we are the partner of choice for many businesses and organizations.

Healthcare

Groundbreaking solutions Businesses in every sector are exploring ways of using energy and natural resources more efficiently – water being just one example. Each and every day there are reports in the media calling for greater safety, security and protection of the environment in which we live. In the healthcare sector, demand for integrated solutions is growing.

So, too, is the need for automation and new public and industrial infrastructure solutions.

These trends or growing market sectors are evident not just in Belgium and Luxembourg, but also in our export markets – especially Africa.

Mobility

Siemens – with its cross-sector portfolio, technological leadership and worldwide presence – is better-positioned than any other company to provide the solutions needed to meet the requirements of tomorrow’s world. Our innovative and future-proof solutions generate competitive advantages for our customers and lay the groundwork for profitable growth.

Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg focuses on the future in sectors with considerable potential for growth, such as Energy, Security, Medical Solutions, Mobility and Industry, with IT and open communication solutions as the common thread.

We draw on our power of innovation to enhance the quality of life.

We pool our experience and expertise in various centers of competence, to be deployed around the globe. For instance, Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg is responsible for solutions in the paper, glass and steel sectors in various European countries. We also enjoy extensive responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry and in the field of turnkey water installations,

empowering us to convert our know-how into added value for our customers wherever they may be.

Safety & Security

Innovation driven by human power The creative input of our highly qualified employees helps shape this future. Thanks to their expertise and R&D, we are poised to respond to new market expectations in an optimal way. After all, we don’t just want to guarantee our customers high-quality systems and solutions. We also want to ensure that they are flexible, competitive and forward-looking.

All of the thousands of people that we employ in Belgium and Luxembourg are dedicated professionals. Many of them have developed business acumen in specific sectors such as banking, pulp & paper, chemicals, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and the public sector. This allows us to create added value by implementing innovative projects tailored to the individual needs of our customers, generating new business, creating new business models or tapping into new market sectors.

234

Best of Belgium

Energy & Environment

Going beyond Belgium Exports have significantly driven our growth in the past and we expect the same for the future. Siemens Belgium has business responsibility for 20 countries in West and Central Africa (WCA). All in all, Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg operates in over 190 countries – largely thanks to Siemens subsidiary ADB, a world leader in airport lighting systems, which by its very nature is a highly globalized activity.

We offer global solutions for hospitals in West and Central Africa as well, in an effort to improve the African healthcare infrastructure and services while transferring knowledge

Best of Belgium

235

and technology. We are also active in the fields of transportation, power distribution and monitoring, control and operating systems. In North Africa, we have been consolidating our reputation as a reliable, customer-focused and future-oriented partner in energy, industry and water supply projects for several decades.

Our extensive cooperation with local partners abroad expands our global network of innovation. All our international customers benefit from these existing and new partnerships – some as a result of recent acquisitions by Siemens International – as well as from the presence of several international competence centers.

Making the difference Being the dedicated supplier of numerous companies and organizations comes with great responsibility. We therefore want to make a real difference both for our customers here and abroad and must take full advantage of our abilities. Developing future-oriented solutions that give them a competitive advantage is what’s making that difference.

Our key assets? Forward-looking employees, a clear focus and a wide-ranging portfolio. Thanks to these, we have the capacity and vision to make a real difference for all of our customers.

Read more? www.siemens.be

Innovation

Siemens Inherently innovative

Industry

How can we keep an increasing amount of people and goods moving smoothly and safely? Maintain affordable healthcare in spite of an aging population? Keep western manufacturing competitive while taking advantage of a globalizing world? Protect the environment without compromising our standard of living? Guarantee security in a rapidly changing world without sacrificing freedom?

This is how we have developed many innovative sector-related solutions and why we are the partner of choice for many businesses and organizations.

Healthcare

Groundbreaking solutions Businesses in every sector are exploring ways of using energy and natural resources more efficiently – water being just one example. Each and every day there are reports in the media calling for greater safety, security and protection of the environment in which we live. In the healthcare sector, demand for integrated solutions is growing.

So, too, is the need for automation and new public and industrial infrastructure solutions.

These trends or growing market sectors are evident not just in Belgium and Luxembourg, but also in our export markets – especially Africa.

Mobility

Siemens – with its cross-sector portfolio, technological leadership and worldwide presence – is better-positioned than any other company to provide the solutions needed to meet the requirements of tomorrow’s world. Our innovative and future-proof solutions generate competitive advantages for our customers and lay the groundwork for profitable growth.

Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg focuses on the future in sectors with considerable potential for growth, such as Energy, Security, Medical Solutions, Mobility and Industry, with IT and open communication solutions as the common thread.

We draw on our power of innovation to enhance the quality of life.

We pool our experience and expertise in various centers of competence, to be deployed around the globe. For instance, Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg is responsible for solutions in the paper, glass and steel sectors in various European countries. We also enjoy extensive responsibility in the pharmaceutical industry and in the field of turnkey water installations,

empowering us to convert our know-how into added value for our customers wherever they may be.

Safety & Security

Innovation driven by human power The creative input of our highly qualified employees helps shape this future. Thanks to their expertise and R&D, we are poised to respond to new market expectations in an optimal way. After all, we don’t just want to guarantee our customers high-quality systems and solutions. We also want to ensure that they are flexible, competitive and forward-looking.

All of the thousands of people that we employ in Belgium and Luxembourg are dedicated professionals. Many of them have developed business acumen in specific sectors such as banking, pulp & paper, chemicals, telecoms, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and the public sector. This allows us to create added value by implementing innovative projects tailored to the individual needs of our customers, generating new business, creating new business models or tapping into new market sectors.

234

Best of Belgium

Energy & Environment

Going beyond Belgium Exports have significantly driven our growth in the past and we expect the same for the future. Siemens Belgium has business responsibility for 20 countries in West and Central Africa (WCA). All in all, Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg operates in over 190 countries – largely thanks to Siemens subsidiary ADB, a world leader in airport lighting systems, which by its very nature is a highly globalized activity.

We offer global solutions for hospitals in West and Central Africa as well, in an effort to improve the African healthcare infrastructure and services while transferring knowledge

Best of Belgium

235

and technology. We are also active in the fields of transportation, power distribution and monitoring, control and operating systems. In North Africa, we have been consolidating our reputation as a reliable, customer-focused and future-oriented partner in energy, industry and water supply projects for several decades.

Our extensive cooperation with local partners abroad expands our global network of innovation. All our international customers benefit from these existing and new partnerships – some as a result of recent acquisitions by Siemens International – as well as from the presence of several international competence centers.

Making the difference Being the dedicated supplier of numerous companies and organizations comes with great responsibility. We therefore want to make a real difference both for our customers here and abroad and must take full advantage of our abilities. Developing future-oriented solutions that give them a competitive advantage is what’s making that difference.

Our key assets? Forward-looking employees, a clear focus and a wide-ranging portfolio. Thanks to these, we have the capacity and vision to make a real difference for all of our customers.

Read more? www.siemens.be

Great events make me quiet and calm; it is only trifles that irritate my nerves.

Chapter 14

Queen Victoria, in a letter to King Leopold of Belgium, April 4, 1848

Events & Services

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Great events make me quiet and calm; it is only trifles that irritate my nerves.

Chapter 14

Queen Victoria, in a letter to King Leopold of Belgium, April 4, 1848

Events & Services

Photography: www.douglasmoors.be

Events & Services

Trade Fairs A Selection of Major Trade Fairs in Belgium

Art & Antiques

Home & Interiors

Fashion

Industry

artbrussels

batibouw

The international trade fair for building, renovation and decoration February-March, Brussels www.batibouw.com

brussels & belgian fashion fairs Professional fashion fair July, Brussels www.bff.be

matexpo

The European platform for contemporary art April, Brussels www.artbrussels.be

lineart

International art fair. Ethnographic, modern and contemporary art, for art dealers and gallery owners November-December, Ghent www.lineart.be

International trade fair for machines, techniques and materials for the construction industry, road-building, general industry, recycling and public works programs September, Kortrijk www.matexpo.com

a fair decosit

International Trade Fair for fabrics & furnishings September, Brussels www.decosit.com

Leading fair for new luxury brands August, Antwerp www.afair.be

intrafood

Intrafood presents raw materials, ingredients and additives, semifinished products and components for the food industry in the Benelux. INTRAFOOD also presents know-how, technology, subcontracting, laboratories, consultancy, research centers and centers of excellence September, Kortrijk www.intrafood.be

vitrine in gent furniture fair brussels eurantica brussels

Fine art & antiques fair. For ten days, Eurantica Brussels will be the place to be for every art & antiques lover. Known for its eclectism and its contemporary character, Eurantica Brussels grew to be the largest fine art and antiques fair in Belgium March-April, Brussels www.eurantica.be

international antiquarian book fair

The International Antiquarian Book Fair has become one of the most important events for the bibliophiles and book lovers. During three days, more or less a hundred specialists from Belgium and abroad present and offer for sale a large choice of antiquarian books, illuminated books, collectors, antiqarian cards and unique editions September, Brussels www.bibliofair.com

For professionals October, Brussels www.meubelbeurs.be designbrussels, cocoon, smart living

(the home & interior fair) Designbrussels will run parallel with two other fairs, Cocoon and Smart Living. For some time now, Cocoon has specialized in more conventional home style, from traditional to modern. Smart Living is a brand new fair, focusing on the latest technological gadgets for homes, from household appliances and home automation systems to swimming pools.

Together with designbrussels, these events now form the home and interior fair, an event unequalled in the Benelux.

November, Brussels www.designbrussels.be

March-April, Ghent www.ffi.be

Automotive

eurofinish

Eurofinish is the only fair in the Benelux that is fully dedicated to surface treatment, and that covers the full spectrum of sectors, going from petrochemical and automotive to construction parts and high-tech consumer goods.

October, Ghent www.eurofinish.be

european motor show brussels

The largest motor and car exhibition in Belgium January, Brussels www.autosalon.be

Agriculture

PROlogistics Supply chain fair September, Brussels www.prologistics.be

agricultural, forestry and agrifoodstuffs exhibition in libramont

The most important outdoor exhibition for agriculture, forestry and agrifoodstuffs in Europe July, Libramont www.foiredelibramont.com

easyfairs® transport

supply chain and logistics fairs

intirio

Trade fair for interior decoration and household linen January, Ghent www.interiro.be

& logistics

easyfairs® supply chain innovations

September, Antwerp www.easyfairs.com

international fair for agriculture, stockbreeding, garden, parks and green spaces

April, Brussels www.agribex.be

- audio visual creative fair The ACF - Audio Visual Creative Fair – has run for over 20 years.

The ACF has expanded continually over the years and today brings together more than 170 exhibitors over a four-day event that attracts more than 16.000 visitors.

November, Brussels www.acf.be acf

second place

Fair for second home buyers September, Brussels www.secondplace.be

238

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

239

Events & Services

Trade Fairs A Selection of Major Trade Fairs in Belgium

Art & Antiques

Home & Interiors

Fashion

Industry

artbrussels

batibouw

The international trade fair for building, renovation and decoration February-March, Brussels www.batibouw.com

brussels & belgian fashion fairs Professional fashion fair July, Brussels www.bff.be

matexpo

The European platform for contemporary art April, Brussels www.artbrussels.be

lineart

International art fair. Ethnographic, modern and contemporary art, for art dealers and gallery owners November-December, Ghent www.lineart.be

International trade fair for machines, techniques and materials for the construction industry, road-building, general industry, recycling and public works programs September, Kortrijk www.matexpo.com

a fair decosit

International Trade Fair for fabrics & furnishings September, Brussels www.decosit.com

Leading fair for new luxury brands August, Antwerp www.afair.be

intrafood

Intrafood presents raw materials, ingredients and additives, semifinished products and components for the food industry in the Benelux. INTRAFOOD also presents know-how, technology, subcontracting, laboratories, consultancy, research centers and centers of excellence September, Kortrijk www.intrafood.be

vitrine in gent furniture fair brussels eurantica brussels

Fine art & antiques fair. For ten days, Eurantica Brussels will be the place to be for every art & antiques lover. Known for its eclectism and its contemporary character, Eurantica Brussels grew to be the largest fine art and antiques fair in Belgium March-April, Brussels www.eurantica.be

international antiquarian book fair

The International Antiquarian Book Fair has become one of the most important events for the bibliophiles and book lovers. During three days, more or less a hundred specialists from Belgium and abroad present and offer for sale a large choice of antiquarian books, illuminated books, collectors, antiqarian cards and unique editions September, Brussels www.bibliofair.com

For professionals October, Brussels www.meubelbeurs.be designbrussels, cocoon, smart living

(the home & interior fair) Designbrussels will run parallel with two other fairs, Cocoon and Smart Living. For some time now, Cocoon has specialized in more conventional home style, from traditional to modern. Smart Living is a brand new fair, focusing on the latest technological gadgets for homes, from household appliances and home automation systems to swimming pools.

Together with designbrussels, these events now form the home and interior fair, an event unequalled in the Benelux.

November, Brussels www.designbrussels.be

March-April, Ghent www.ffi.be

Automotive

eurofinish

Eurofinish is the only fair in the Benelux that is fully dedicated to surface treatment, and that covers the full spectrum of sectors, going from petrochemical and automotive to construction parts and high-tech consumer goods.

October, Ghent www.eurofinish.be

european motor show brussels

The largest motor and car exhibition in Belgium January, Brussels www.autosalon.be

Agriculture

PROlogistics Supply chain fair September, Brussels www.prologistics.be

agricultural, forestry and agrifoodstuffs exhibition in libramont

The most important outdoor exhibition for agriculture, forestry and agrifoodstuffs in Europe July, Libramont www.foiredelibramont.com

easyfairs® transport

supply chain and logistics fairs

intirio

Trade fair for interior decoration and household linen January, Ghent www.interiro.be

& logistics

easyfairs® supply chain innovations

September, Antwerp www.easyfairs.com

international fair for agriculture, stockbreeding, garden, parks and green spaces

April, Brussels www.agribex.be

- audio visual creative fair The ACF - Audio Visual Creative Fair – has run for over 20 years.

The ACF has expanded continually over the years and today brings together more than 170 exhibitors over a four-day event that attracts more than 16.000 visitors.

November, Brussels www.acf.be acf

second place

Fair for second home buyers September, Brussels www.secondplace.be

238

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

239

Events & Services

Flanders Congress & Concert Centre and ZOO Antwerp

In the heart of Antwerp, the Flanders Congress & Concert Centre offers multifunctional rooms for congresses, spectacles and parties that excel in their unique setting, historical background and modern facilities. Ten exclusive halls, each telling a different story and in a unique style are located in the city centre behind the Royal Zoological Society’s magnificent Art Nouveau façades, next to the Central Station and ZOO Antwerp. Flanders Congress & Concert Centre is within easy reach and there are ample parking facilities in the neighbourhood. Flanders Congress & Concert Centre is affiliated to the Historic Conference Centres of Europe and offers all organizers a graceful harmony of modern meeting comforts with an awesome historical setting.

family decorates the entrance and lead you into the zoo. Please follow the elephant signs and you will find out fascinating facts about one of the world’s most endangered land mammals as well as its place in our history, explained in the room of rarities. More than 5000 animals welcome you, your family and friends in this exotic oasis in the heart of Antwerp City. Welcome!

people make memories with animals.

The combination of cultural heritage and scientific pioneering makes ZOO Antwerp one of a kind.

ZOO Antwerp plays a leading role in the conservation of endangered Being part of the Antwerp ZOO, delegates can visit this legendary species, including the elegant Okapi. We continuously invest in scientific research Antwerp landmark. Throughout this season, you can witness the and conservation. With your visit you relationship dynamics of our new elephant family. With the arrival directly contribute to nature’s conservation of macho bull Alexander and his seductive power, our family is and we receive funding to fulfill our complete and we hope for a healthy offspring to contribute to mission. So visit ZOO Antwerp, the our world-renowned breeding program. To celebrate this happy exotic oasis and gathering place where occasion, Andries Botha’s famous 9-headed wooden elephant

240

Best of Belgium

CRC is our research centre for nature conservation. Whenever a project or initiative directly contributes to our mission of conservation and sustainability it receives CRC’s seal of approval. With projects in the Brazilian rainforest or Cameroon jungle, the CRC

Best of Belgium

241

has already won international awards for both ZOO Antwerp and Planckendael – our other animal park.

FCCC Flanders Congress & Concert Centre Koningin Astridplein 26 B-2018 Antwerp (Belgium) Tel: (32)(3)203.56.22 Fax: (32)(3)203.56.01 Website: www.fccc.be E-mail: info@fccc.be

Events & Services

Flanders Congress & Concert Centre and ZOO Antwerp

In the heart of Antwerp, the Flanders Congress & Concert Centre offers multifunctional rooms for congresses, spectacles and parties that excel in their unique setting, historical background and modern facilities. Ten exclusive halls, each telling a different story and in a unique style are located in the city centre behind the Royal Zoological Society’s magnificent Art Nouveau façades, next to the Central Station and ZOO Antwerp. Flanders Congress & Concert Centre is within easy reach and there are ample parking facilities in the neighbourhood. Flanders Congress & Concert Centre is affiliated to the Historic Conference Centres of Europe and offers all organizers a graceful harmony of modern meeting comforts with an awesome historical setting.

family decorates the entrance and lead you into the zoo. Please follow the elephant signs and you will find out fascinating facts about one of the world’s most endangered land mammals as well as its place in our history, explained in the room of rarities. More than 5000 animals welcome you, your family and friends in this exotic oasis in the heart of Antwerp City. Welcome!

people make memories with animals.

The combination of cultural heritage and scientific pioneering makes ZOO Antwerp one of a kind.

ZOO Antwerp plays a leading role in the conservation of endangered Being part of the Antwerp ZOO, delegates can visit this legendary species, including the elegant Okapi. We continuously invest in scientific research Antwerp landmark. Throughout this season, you can witness the and conservation. With your visit you relationship dynamics of our new elephant family. With the arrival directly contribute to nature’s conservation of macho bull Alexander and his seductive power, our family is and we receive funding to fulfill our complete and we hope for a healthy offspring to contribute to mission. So visit ZOO Antwerp, the our world-renowned breeding program. To celebrate this happy exotic oasis and gathering place where occasion, Andries Botha’s famous 9-headed wooden elephant

240

Best of Belgium

CRC is our research centre for nature conservation. Whenever a project or initiative directly contributes to our mission of conservation and sustainability it receives CRC’s seal of approval. With projects in the Brazilian rainforest or Cameroon jungle, the CRC

Best of Belgium

241

has already won international awards for both ZOO Antwerp and Planckendael – our other animal park.

FCCC Flanders Congress & Concert Centre Koningin Astridplein 26 B-2018 Antwerp (Belgium) Tel: (32)(3)203.56.22 Fax: (32)(3)203.56.01 Website: www.fccc.be E-mail: info@fccc.be

Events & Services

RESTAURATION NOUVELLE The topper for cocktails, seminars, wedding receptions…

Restauration Nouvelle is one of the most prominent firms in Belgium organising prestige events.

Besides owning famous properties such as the Château de la Rocq and the Château de Ruisbroek, it recently acquired the Domaine des Bouleaux, a late 19thCentury property with a bright and serene atmosphere and rural charm, nestling in a park dotted with fruit-trees and overlooking a lake.

Your dream theme!

With its long experience in catering, Restauration Nouvelle is able to organise events on a particular theme, either at the location of your choice or in its African Pavilion or its Berber Village, both of which lie in the superb park of the Château de la Rocq while enjoying complete independence of the Château.

The Refectories Restauration Nouvelle will be pleased to receive you in its prestigiously located restaurants, the “Refectories”, filled with art

242

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243

and culture, such as the Musical Instrument Museum, the Arts and History Museum and the Château de Seneffe, where you may dine while visiting prestigious exhibitions, as well as the more Arcadian Parc d’Egmont Orangery, which lies in a gorgeous park right in the centre of Brussels.

Restauration Nouvelle s..a. www.restauration-nouvelle.be Tel.: +32 (2) 381 03 22

Events & Services

RESTAURATION NOUVELLE The topper for cocktails, seminars, wedding receptions…

Restauration Nouvelle is one of the most prominent firms in Belgium organising prestige events.

Besides owning famous properties such as the Château de la Rocq and the Château de Ruisbroek, it recently acquired the Domaine des Bouleaux, a late 19thCentury property with a bright and serene atmosphere and rural charm, nestling in a park dotted with fruit-trees and overlooking a lake.

Your dream theme!

With its long experience in catering, Restauration Nouvelle is able to organise events on a particular theme, either at the location of your choice or in its African Pavilion or its Berber Village, both of which lie in the superb park of the Château de la Rocq while enjoying complete independence of the Château.

The Refectories Restauration Nouvelle will be pleased to receive you in its prestigiously located restaurants, the “Refectories”, filled with art

242

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Best of Belgium

243

and culture, such as the Musical Instrument Museum, the Arts and History Museum and the Château de Seneffe, where you may dine while visiting prestigious exhibitions, as well as the more Arcadian Parc d’Egmont Orangery, which lies in a gorgeous park right in the centre of Brussels.

Restauration Nouvelle s..a. www.restauration-nouvelle.be Tel.: +32 (2) 381 03 22

Events & Services

‘In the mood for work’ You are looking for the ultimate location for your seminar, business event or other business meeting. We can offer you more than that: Château Jemeppe in the Belgian Ardennes.

The unique combination of an impressive historical setting and the best modern accommodation and facilities are the key to a successful stay that is perfect down to the very last detail.

The ‘icing on the cake’ is what we regard as the distinguishing feature of Château Jemeppe: our emphasis on the finishing touch, our special brand of hospitality, and our flexibility.

You simply inform us of your requirements: what time you would like to have breakfast, lunch and dinner, how often you would like tea or coffee breaks, and when team-building and social activities should be scheduled. We will make sure that everything is ready for you, and provide assistance if required.

Your host and hostess will be here to welcome you into a relaxed If you need to make changes to your and homely atmosphere. They will ensure that you have everything programme in the course of the day, or you need during your stay at the castle – your castle. at the last moment, we can accommodate On arrival, we will welcome you personally to the relaxed, homely these without any problem. surroundings of Château Jemeppe. We do not have a reception At your ‘own’ Château Jemeppe you desk. Instead, we extend a proper friendly welcome: your host and are free to go where you please, when hostess will be expecting you and will show you to your room. This you please. is a warm and friendly tradition that we are pleased to uphold.

Flexibility means that we adapt our daily schedule to fit in with your needs, not vice versa.

fully-stocked bars are open day and night, providing all the comfort and convenience you would have at home.

Château Jemeppe Rue Felix Lefèvre, 24 B-6900 Hargimont, Belgium T. +32 (0)84 46 83 70 F. +32 (0)84 22 59 00 info@chateaujemeppe.com www.chateaujemeppe.com

The homely salons, the rooms for relaxation, the library and the three

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Events & Services

‘In the mood for work’ You are looking for the ultimate location for your seminar, business event or other business meeting. We can offer you more than that: Château Jemeppe in the Belgian Ardennes.

The unique combination of an impressive historical setting and the best modern accommodation and facilities are the key to a successful stay that is perfect down to the very last detail.

The ‘icing on the cake’ is what we regard as the distinguishing feature of Château Jemeppe: our emphasis on the finishing touch, our special brand of hospitality, and our flexibility.

You simply inform us of your requirements: what time you would like to have breakfast, lunch and dinner, how often you would like tea or coffee breaks, and when team-building and social activities should be scheduled. We will make sure that everything is ready for you, and provide assistance if required.

Your host and hostess will be here to welcome you into a relaxed If you need to make changes to your and homely atmosphere. They will ensure that you have everything programme in the course of the day, or you need during your stay at the castle – your castle. at the last moment, we can accommodate On arrival, we will welcome you personally to the relaxed, homely these without any problem. surroundings of Château Jemeppe. We do not have a reception At your ‘own’ Château Jemeppe you desk. Instead, we extend a proper friendly welcome: your host and are free to go where you please, when hostess will be expecting you and will show you to your room. This you please. is a warm and friendly tradition that we are pleased to uphold.

Flexibility means that we adapt our daily schedule to fit in with your needs, not vice versa.

fully-stocked bars are open day and night, providing all the comfort and convenience you would have at home.

Château Jemeppe Rue Felix Lefèvre, 24 B-6900 Hargimont, Belgium T. +32 (0)84 46 83 70 F. +32 (0)84 22 59 00 info@chateaujemeppe.com www.chateaujemeppe.com

The homely salons, the rooms for relaxation, the library and the three

244

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

245

Events & Services

Daneels Graphic Group : A Belgian leader in full colour sheetfed printing, situated in the green heart of the Kempen region.

Daneels Graphic Group is an independent graphic company, located in Beerse near Antwerp in Belgium. From there it operates as a completely integrated sheet offset printer, serving its customers throughout Europe.

Daneels Graphic Group was founded in 1906.

Ever since, this printer has been acquiring knowhow and has been implementing, every year again, a substantial investment plan. At Daneels Graphic Group, customers have ongoing access to the latest technology.

Daneels Graphic Group offers pre-press, printing, digital printing and finishing under one and the same roof, thus ensuring one stop shopping.

Daneels operates in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, UK, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The pre-press department has been organised technically in such a way that without any problems Mac and PC communicate effortlessly with the core of this department : Esko Graphics’ Backstage.

Customers requiring the highest quality in image reproduction have come to the right place at Daneels. The Esko pre-press system enables combining conventional and stochastic screens in one single printing form, even within one and the same image!

The printing division has 47 printing units, spread over printing presses with two different formats and 4 up to 12 colours, with or without in-line varnishing.

The department produces round the clock. The considerable output capacity guarantees flexibility and very short turnaround times. The presses are always of the latest Heidelberg printing press generation and are all equipped with Image Control.

This technology assesses image quality in-line and thus guarantees optimum process control.

Next step : Daneels Graphic Group has considerable in-house capacity and variety in finishing : It offers die-cutting, punching, embossing, all types of folding, stapling, PUR and hotmelt perfect binding.

And finally : Having a responsibility towards society, the group has a clear objective to avoid, sort and clean waste to a maximum. And to work with suppliers which guarantee the “green” origin of their material : Daneels Graphic Group has both FSC and PEFC certificates. A fine company in a beautiful region, worth being visited.

Pre-press: advanced imposition tools such as ESKO make sure out CTP...

Our machine park, consisting entirely out of Heidelberg production units, ensures a high press quality.

Every stage is checked and double-checked, using the most advanced quality control systems on the market.

Outline Graphics in the Daneels Graphic Group

photography, corporate publishing and print management.

With a young dynamic team, 11 strong, we offer your company our expertise for placing your products or services on the market in the most attractive way possible.

Our mission?

We want to make the difference for you.

Jan Van Wynsberghe Sales Manager Daneels Graphic Group Dennenlaan 5-6 B-2340 Beerse

The development of house style, logos, annual reports, brochures, advertisements, packaging and invitations are only a few examples. The integration in the Daneels Graphic Group means that, besides graphic design, we can also offer you printed matter. Outline Graphics guarantees perfect compliance and supervision of your printing jobs. This all-inclusive approach from concept to finished product offers you many and various advantages in terms of processing turnarounds and the tracking of current projects.

Mobile : 0032 14 622 965 Mobile : 0032 473 360 791 jan.vanwynsberghe@daneels.be www.daneels.be

We would therefore be delighted to place at your disposal our many long years of acquired know-how in advice, creative communication, design, lay-out,

A wide variety of finishing options are available, from staples over wired to one and the other...

246

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Best of Belgium

247

How? By actually listening to you and reacting in an appropriate manner to your needs and questions. We always do our best to think in terms of your commercial interests, which we translate into quality graphic products or services. Only this can you stand out visually head and shoulders above the competition.

For more info: Marc Pardoel Dennenlaan 5-6 | 2340 Beerse | Belgium www.daneels.be marc.pardoel@daneels.be T +32 14 61 10 13

Events & Services

Daneels Graphic Group : A Belgian leader in full colour sheetfed printing, situated in the green heart of the Kempen region.

Daneels Graphic Group is an independent graphic company, located in Beerse near Antwerp in Belgium. From there it operates as a completely integrated sheet offset printer, serving its customers throughout Europe.

Daneels Graphic Group was founded in 1906.

Ever since, this printer has been acquiring knowhow and has been implementing, every year again, a substantial investment plan. At Daneels Graphic Group, customers have ongoing access to the latest technology.

Daneels Graphic Group offers pre-press, printing, digital printing and finishing under one and the same roof, thus ensuring one stop shopping.

Daneels operates in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, UK, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The pre-press department has been organised technically in such a way that without any problems Mac and PC communicate effortlessly with the core of this department : Esko Graphics’ Backstage.

Customers requiring the highest quality in image reproduction have come to the right place at Daneels. The Esko pre-press system enables combining conventional and stochastic screens in one single printing form, even within one and the same image!

The printing division has 47 printing units, spread over printing presses with two different formats and 4 up to 12 colours, with or without in-line varnishing.

The department produces round the clock. The considerable output capacity guarantees flexibility and very short turnaround times. The presses are always of the latest Heidelberg printing press generation and are all equipped with Image Control.

This technology assesses image quality in-line and thus guarantees optimum process control.

Next step : Daneels Graphic Group has considerable in-house capacity and variety in finishing : It offers die-cutting, punching, embossing, all types of folding, stapling, PUR and hotmelt perfect binding.

And finally : Having a responsibility towards society, the group has a clear objective to avoid, sort and clean waste to a maximum. And to work with suppliers which guarantee the “green” origin of their material : Daneels Graphic Group has both FSC and PEFC certificates. A fine company in a beautiful region, worth being visited.

Pre-press: advanced imposition tools such as ESKO make sure out CTP...

Our machine park, consisting entirely out of Heidelberg production units, ensures a high press quality.

Every stage is checked and double-checked, using the most advanced quality control systems on the market.

Outline Graphics in the Daneels Graphic Group

photography, corporate publishing and print management.

With a young dynamic team, 11 strong, we offer your company our expertise for placing your products or services on the market in the most attractive way possible.

Our mission?

We want to make the difference for you.

Jan Van Wynsberghe Sales Manager Daneels Graphic Group Dennenlaan 5-6 B-2340 Beerse

The development of house style, logos, annual reports, brochures, advertisements, packaging and invitations are only a few examples. The integration in the Daneels Graphic Group means that, besides graphic design, we can also offer you printed matter. Outline Graphics guarantees perfect compliance and supervision of your printing jobs. This all-inclusive approach from concept to finished product offers you many and various advantages in terms of processing turnarounds and the tracking of current projects.

Mobile : 0032 14 622 965 Mobile : 0032 473 360 791 jan.vanwynsberghe@daneels.be www.daneels.be

We would therefore be delighted to place at your disposal our many long years of acquired know-how in advice, creative communication, design, lay-out,

A wide variety of finishing options are available, from staples over wired to one and the other...

246

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

247

How? By actually listening to you and reacting in an appropriate manner to your needs and questions. We always do our best to think in terms of your commercial interests, which we translate into quality graphic products or services. Only this can you stand out visually head and shoulders above the competition.

For more info: Marc Pardoel Dennenlaan 5-6 | 2340 Beerse | Belgium www.daneels.be marc.pardoel@daneels.be T +32 14 61 10 13

Events & Services

Porsche2Rent Porsche is the best sports car in the world. Now you can drive it yourself.

Are you looking for an original incentive, a reward for your best sales team or an unforgettable gift for a good business relation? Make their dream come through by offering them a real Porsche.

We are experienced in dealing with both your individual and corporate need. We will be happy to meet your particular requirements; how unexpected and last minute your request might be.

Porsche2Rent has been the leading provider of Porsche Cars for Exceptional People throughout the Benelux for 10 years. Our fleet is the largest and most diverse one today offering the very latest models (the new Panamera is ordered). Each has been personally selected by our founder Frans Van Riel.

YOU DRIVEâ&#x20AC;Ś

Porsche2Rent delivers cars anywhere in the Benelux; to the airport, to your hotel, to your meeting place or anywhere else you want.

Whether you need to rent one of our Porsches for yourself, as the perfect gift for friend, fiancĂŠe or spouse, or for a night on the town with a client, Porsche2Rent will make it happen.

We are waiting to hear from you.

Porsche2Rent Sint-Lenaartseweg 32 2320 Hoogstraten Tel: +32 (0)3 340 40 78 info@porsche2rent.be www.porsche2rent.be

With seventeen available cars we can offer the full range of Porsche.

From the Porsche Boxster to the new Cayman S, and from the typical Porsche 911 to the SUV Porsche Cayenne.

Porsche Rental per day, week, month or year Our fleet: Porsche Boxster Porsche Boxster S Porsche Cayman S Porsche 911 carrera 4 Porsche 996 4S Porsche 996 convertible Porsche 997 Porsche Cayenne S

www.porsche2rent.be Sint-Lenaartseweg 32 | 2320 Hoogstraten | Tel: +32 (0)3 340 40 78 | info@porsche2rent.be

248

Best of Belgium

Events & Services

Porsche2Rent Porsche is the best sports car in the world. Now you can drive it yourself.

Are you looking for an original incentive, a reward for your best sales team or an unforgettable gift for a good business relation? Make their dream come through by offering them a real Porsche.

We are experienced in dealing with both your individual and corporate need. We will be happy to meet your particular requirements; how unexpected and last minute your request might be.

Porsche2Rent has been the leading provider of Porsche Cars for Exceptional People throughout the Benelux for 10 years. Our fleet is the largest and most diverse one today offering the very latest models (the new Panamera is ordered). Each has been personally selected by our founder Frans Van Riel.

YOU DRIVEâ&#x20AC;Ś

Porsche2Rent delivers cars anywhere in the Benelux; to the airport, to your hotel, to your meeting place or anywhere else you want.

Whether you need to rent one of our Porsches for yourself, as the perfect gift for friend, fiancĂŠe or spouse, or for a night on the town with a client, Porsche2Rent will make it happen.

We are waiting to hear from you.

Porsche2Rent Sint-Lenaartseweg 32 2320 Hoogstraten Tel: +32 (0)3 340 40 78 info@porsche2rent.be www.porsche2rent.be

With seventeen available cars we can offer the full range of Porsche.

From the Porsche Boxster to the new Cayman S, and from the typical Porsche 911 to the SUV Porsche Cayenne.

Porsche Rental per day, week, month or year Our fleet: Porsche Boxster Porsche Boxster S Porsche Cayman S Porsche 911 carrera 4 Porsche 996 4S Porsche 996 convertible Porsche 997 Porsche Cayenne S

www.porsche2rent.be Sint-Lenaartseweg 32 | 2320 Hoogstraten | Tel: +32 (0)3 340 40 78 | info@porsche2rent.be

248

Best of Belgium

Events & Services

The Fifth Conference

NETWORK

INTELLIGENCE

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ANNUAL MEETINGS WORKGROUPS

BEST PRACTICE RESEARCH

Looking ahead, The Fifth Conference will continue to facilitate such cooperation in the area of business publishing and business research. The graph adjacent illustrates the three service pillars of The Fifth Conference, i.e. intelligence, business development and the network.

TFC BULLETIN

In the course of our research and publishing work, The Fifth Conference builds up—and is reliant upon—a network of leaders in all facets of life, from business to arts and culture. We will continue to serve this network, not only via our publishing and research activities, but also by proactively organizing workgroups and meetings around specific projects.

The Fifth Conference has its roots in business research. Our dedicated team of MBA-level analysts carries out several studies a year in business markets and on management topics.

While most of this work is done on behalf of individual clients, collaborative projects on management and industry topics will be launched in the months ahead, to serve as foundation for new services and publishing titles.

Best of Belgium

DECISION SUPPORT

The second service pillar is marketing and business development. In 2008, The Fifth Conference will publish the second volume of BEST OF BELGIUM. In addition, the entire BEST OF BELGIUM story will be published online in a unique format and linked with our international publishing partners in 15+ countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Furthermore, additional titles will be launched, that are based on solid industry analysis and distributed to targeted audiences.

The book in your hands is a collaborative effort by some of Belgium’s most interesting and successful organizations from the world of business, the arts, fashion, education, hospitality and government. Sharing an overriding commitment to excellence, these leaders in their field have bundled their success stories in a quality publication that is finding its way to all corners of the earth. BEST OF BELGIUM is a superb example of collaborative marketing by organizations that share a common objective: international business development.

250

BEST OF BELGIUM

The value of participating with The Fifth Conference is based on the power of collaboration around shared business challenges. A classic example of the combined value being more than the

Best of Belgium

251

sum of its parts, The Fifth Conference puts together the minds of this nation’s most dynamic people, generating ideas for better management and business development, and has in place a dedicated team of people to formalize and implement those ideas—from ideas to action to value.

Expressions of interest are welcome.

Contact: www.thefifthconference.com

Events & Services

The Fifth Conference

NETWORK

INTELLIGENCE

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ANNUAL MEETINGS WORKGROUPS

BEST PRACTICE RESEARCH

Looking ahead, The Fifth Conference will continue to facilitate such cooperation in the area of business publishing and business research. The graph adjacent illustrates the three service pillars of The Fifth Conference, i.e. intelligence, business development and the network.

TFC BULLETIN

In the course of our research and publishing work, The Fifth Conference builds up—and is reliant upon—a network of leaders in all facets of life, from business to arts and culture. We will continue to serve this network, not only via our publishing and research activities, but also by proactively organizing workgroups and meetings around specific projects.

The Fifth Conference has its roots in business research. Our dedicated team of MBA-level analysts carries out several studies a year in business markets and on management topics.

While most of this work is done on behalf of individual clients, collaborative projects on management and industry topics will be launched in the months ahead, to serve as foundation for new services and publishing titles.

Best of Belgium

DECISION SUPPORT

The second service pillar is marketing and business development. In 2008, The Fifth Conference will publish the second volume of BEST OF BELGIUM. In addition, the entire BEST OF BELGIUM story will be published online in a unique format and linked with our international publishing partners in 15+ countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Furthermore, additional titles will be launched, that are based on solid industry analysis and distributed to targeted audiences.

The book in your hands is a collaborative effort by some of Belgium’s most interesting and successful organizations from the world of business, the arts, fashion, education, hospitality and government. Sharing an overriding commitment to excellence, these leaders in their field have bundled their success stories in a quality publication that is finding its way to all corners of the earth. BEST OF BELGIUM is a superb example of collaborative marketing by organizations that share a common objective: international business development.

250

BEST OF BELGIUM

The value of participating with The Fifth Conference is based on the power of collaboration around shared business challenges. A classic example of the combined value being more than the

Best of Belgium

251

sum of its parts, The Fifth Conference puts together the minds of this nation’s most dynamic people, generating ideas for better management and business development, and has in place a dedicated team of people to formalize and implement those ideas—from ideas to action to value.

Expressions of interest are welcome.

Contact: www.thefifthconference.com

There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.

Christopher Morley (1890 - 1957)

Chapter 15 Property & Real Estate

There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way.

Christopher Morley (1890 - 1957)

Chapter 15 Property & Real Estate

Property & Real Estate

Leasinvest Real Estate Belgium’s 4th largest real estate fund

Never alone Monnet, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Brixton Business Park, Zaventem, Belgium

The needs for office, logistics and retail space are strongly related to the evolution of the economic situation. It is therefore a constant challenge for a listed (Euronext) real estate fund to anticipate the future needs of its tenants while creating shareholder value.

Business Center, Riverside Business Park, Anderlecht, Belgium

Leasinvest Real Estate has been introduced on the stock market in 1999 and has known a steady and positive evolution towards a real estate portfolio of nearly 500 million EUR. A milestone in its existence has been the take-over of a real estate portfolio in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2006, nearly doubling the value of its portfolio. This geographical diversification is unique to Leasinvest Real Estate, Belgium’s current 4th largest real estate fund.

Asset class diversification is another strategic issue that has mainly defined the company’s success: as the demand for office, logistics and retail space reacts differently to the economic evolution, Leasinvest Real Estate succeeds in keeping the occupancy

rates of all its types of buildings at a constant high level.

The main characteristic of Leasinvest Real Estate’s performance however is its dynamic commercial approach. The company is driven by the future needs of its tenants and aims at creating high-quality, flexible and agreeable working spaces. The major focus is on high added-value services, such as the creation of a business center in the Riverside Business Park in Anderlecht, the development of extra parking spaces and a facility center for the Axess Business Park in Ghent, etc.

Anticipating the future remains a big challenge, but Leasinvest Real Estate will continue its expansion in a steady and balanced way.

Over 1.000 people in Belgium and 18.000 worldwide. With you all the way.

+32 3 238 98 77 Leasinvest Real Estate SCA Michel Van Geyte Mechelsesteenweg 34 B-2018 Antwerp www.leasinvest.be

WHOLESALE BANKING 254

Best of Belgium

WWW.ING.BE

Property & Real Estate

Leasinvest Real Estate Belgium’s 4th largest real estate fund

Never alone Monnet, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Brixton Business Park, Zaventem, Belgium

The needs for office, logistics and retail space are strongly related to the evolution of the economic situation. It is therefore a constant challenge for a listed (Euronext) real estate fund to anticipate the future needs of its tenants while creating shareholder value.

Business Center, Riverside Business Park, Anderlecht, Belgium

Leasinvest Real Estate has been introduced on the stock market in 1999 and has known a steady and positive evolution towards a real estate portfolio of nearly 500 million EUR. A milestone in its existence has been the take-over of a real estate portfolio in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2006, nearly doubling the value of its portfolio. This geographical diversification is unique to Leasinvest Real Estate, Belgium’s current 4th largest real estate fund.

Asset class diversification is another strategic issue that has mainly defined the company’s success: as the demand for office, logistics and retail space reacts differently to the economic evolution, Leasinvest Real Estate succeeds in keeping the occupancy

rates of all its types of buildings at a constant high level.

The main characteristic of Leasinvest Real Estate’s performance however is its dynamic commercial approach. The company is driven by the future needs of its tenants and aims at creating high-quality, flexible and agreeable working spaces. The major focus is on high added-value services, such as the creation of a business center in the Riverside Business Park in Anderlecht, the development of extra parking spaces and a facility center for the Axess Business Park in Ghent, etc.

Anticipating the future remains a big challenge, but Leasinvest Real Estate will continue its expansion in a steady and balanced way.

Over 1.000 people in Belgium and 18.000 worldwide. With you all the way.

+32 3 238 98 77 Leasinvest Real Estate SCA Michel Van Geyte Mechelsesteenweg 34 B-2018 Antwerp www.leasinvest.be

WHOLESALE BANKING 254

Best of Belgium

WWW.ING.BE

Property & Real Estate

For timeless constructions Quality, design, location and value for money - these words sum up the core values of Belgian real estate developer Promobuild. In the business since 1975, Promobuild is the driving force behind some of the most appealing residential developments currently available in Belgium.

See for yourself at their projects around Brussels, Leuven and Hasselt.

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Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

257

With roots in the construction business in the ‘70s, Promobuild has over the years evolved into a major Belgian real estate developer. At present, the company releases approximately 200 units a year on the market and at any point in time is working on about 800 units in varying stages of development.

Whether judged on the basis of financial performance or customer satisfaction, the company is an undeniable success story. The reasons for this success are clear: on the one hand customers are satisfied because they are purchasing, risk-free, a quality apartment in a desirable location. On the other hand the company is nimble, able to spot and exploit real estate opportunities quickly and efficiently.

around the Brussels ring or lifestyle cities such as Leuven or Hasselt. Such locations are not only central and accessible, but they are also green and peaceful, offering respite from the stresses of daily life. Hence, the Promobuild sites tend to be adjacent to parks or green zones, while offering excellent accessibility to major centers and transport arteries.

Quality Promobuild has long-standing partnerships with a number of construction companies who it can rely on for total commitment to quality and good workmanship. This is fundamental to the Promobuild success story.

While the company strives to offer its customers value for money, it will not compromise on quality by, for example, adopting cheaper but less durable construction techniques or materials. Given its roots as a construction company, Promobuild is also closely involved in the actual construction projects. It has the know-how and it values the principle of partnership in its working relationship with the construction companies. This focus on quality translates into satisfied customers. As a developer, Promobuild retains responsibilities toward its buildings for a period of 10 years following completion. It is striking, however, that Promobuild has never been confronted with longer-term problems or complaints.

Customer satisfaction is assured by investing at the start in quality construction and by making sure that all ‘teething problems’ are immediately and thoroughly addressed in the weeks following sale.

Nimble organization Notwithstanding the quantity and scale of Promobuild’s projects, the company is in fact remarkably small, with a total head-count of twelve people. This keeps overhead costs low and allows problems to be solved very quickly.

Promobuild is very much a “hands on” company with a flat hierarchy. People take their responsibilities seriously and have the autonomy to make quick decisions. This is good for the customer (problems are addressed quickly without getting bogged down in bureaucratic procedures) but also good for the company. It allows for rapid decision making when opportunities are spotted, essential given the scarcity of good locations.

Looking toward the future, Promobuild is well positioned to continue growing its business. Notwithstanding the likely slowdown in the property market, Promobuild continues to make significant investments in the right locations, the demand for which will remain robust.

If you are in the market for a luxurious apartment in a top location then please get in touch – we’d be very happy to invite you to one of our on-site Information Days or our showroom in Brussels.

Location While quality is a basic requirement (but often not assured), location makes the difference. Promobuild invests in locations that will ensure its continued growth, even in the face of a slowing real estate market. In trafficcongested Belgium, a good location is close to important centers such as the offices belt

www.promobuild.be Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 135 / 43 1050 Brussels Tel. 02/726.90.90 Fax. 02/726.78.89

Risk-free financing Purchasing a property “off plan” can be risky, especially if the developer relies upon step-wise payments to fund the project. At Promobuild this isn’t the case. Buyers pay a small “reservation” deposit, with the balance due upon completion of the property.

Property & Real Estate

For timeless constructions Quality, design, location and value for money - these words sum up the core values of Belgian real estate developer Promobuild. In the business since 1975, Promobuild is the driving force behind some of the most appealing residential developments currently available in Belgium.

See for yourself at their projects around Brussels, Leuven and Hasselt.

256

Best of Belgium

Best of Belgium

257

With roots in the construction business in the ‘70s, Promobuild has over the years evolved into a major Belgian real estate developer. At present, the company releases approximately 200 units a year on the market and at any point in time is working on about 800 units in varying stages of development.

Whether judged on the basis of financial performance or customer satisfaction, the company is an undeniable success story. The reasons for this success are clear: on the one hand customers are satisfied because they are purchasing, risk-free, a quality apartment in a desirable location. On the other hand the company is nimble, able to spot and exploit real estate opportunities quickly and efficiently.

around the Brussels ring or lifestyle cities such as Leuven or Hasselt. Such locations are not only central and accessible, but they are also green and peaceful, offering respite from the stresses of daily life. Hence, the Promobuild sites tend to be adjacent to parks or green zones, while offering excellent accessibility to major centers and transport arteries.

Quality Promobuild has long-standing partnerships with a number of construction companies who it can rely on for total commitment to quality and good workmanship. This is fundamental to the Promobuild success story.

While the company strives to offer its customers value for money, it will not compromise on quality by, for example, adopting cheaper but less durable construction techniques or materials. Given its roots as a construction company, Promobuild is also closely involved in the actual construction projects. It has the know-how and it values the principle of partnership in its working relationship with the construction companies. This focus on quality translates into satisfied customers. As a developer, Promobuild retains responsibilities toward its buildings for a period of 10 years following completion. It is striking, however, that Promobuild has never been confronted with longer-term problems or complaints.

Customer satisfaction is assured by investing at the start in quality construction and by making sure that all ‘teething problems’ are immediately and thoroughly addressed in the weeks following sale.

Nimble organization Notwithstanding the quantity and scale of Promobuild’s projects, the company is in fact remarkably small, with a total head-count of twelve people. This keeps overhead costs low and allows problems to be solved very quickly.

Promobuild is very much a “hands on” company with a flat hierarchy. People take their responsibilities seriously and have the autonomy to make quick decisions. This is good for the customer (problems are addressed quickly without getting bogged down in bureaucratic procedures) but also good for the company. It allows for rapid decision making when opportunities are spotted, essential given the scarcity of good locations.

Looking toward the future, Promobuild is well positioned to continue growing its business. Notwithstanding the likely slowdown in the property market, Promobuild continues to make significant investments in the right locations, the demand for which will remain robust.

If you are in the market for a luxurious apartment in a top location then please get in touch – we’d be very happy to invite you to one of our on-site Information Days or our showroom in Brussels.

Location While quality is a basic requirement (but often not assured), location makes the difference. Promobuild invests in locations that will ensure its continued growth, even in the face of a slowing real estate market. In trafficcongested Belgium, a good location is close to important centers such as the offices belt

www.promobuild.be Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 135 / 43 1050 Brussels Tel. 02/726.90.90 Fax. 02/726.78.89

Risk-free financing Purchasing a property “off plan” can be risky, especially if the developer relies upon step-wise payments to fund the project. At Promobuild this isn’t the case. Buyers pay a small “reservation” deposit, with the balance due upon completion of the property.

Index Agoria

188-189

DEME Dredging

Albert Kint

146-147

Design in the Park

Alinea Andres Antwerp International School AtmosFashion AWEX Axel Vervoordt

98-99 69 184-185 74 192 50-51

198-199 101

Design Flanders Diamond Museum

92-93 80-81-82-83

Ipcos

223

Jules de Strooper

142-143

KULeuven Research & Development

220

Label-design.be

94-95

RadissonSAS Park Lane

126-127

RadissonSAS Royal Hotel

112-113

Rayjo Restauration Nouvelle

84-85 242-243

Ello Mobile

208-209

L’Albon Chambon

107

Rosas

38-39

Flamant

176-177

Lano

204

Royal Flemish Philharmonic

44-45

Flanders Congress & Conference Centre

240-241

Le Chatelain

Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS)

54-55

Flanders Investment & Trade

190

118-119

Leasinvest Real Estate

254

Sea Grill

106

30-31

Siemens

234-235

Sirop de Liège

144-145

Barco

222

Fondation Leblanc

56-57

Bel-Air

108

Foreword Brussels

17

Luke Furniture

148-149

Foreword Flanders

18

Marcolini

138-139

Straaltechniek International

206-207

Foreword Prime Minister of Belgium

15

Marriot Brussels Hotel

120-121

The Courtyard

124-125

Foreword Wallonia

19

Medicim

The Fifth Conference

250-251

Belgian Chocolate Group Belgian Designers Belsim Betafence

64-65 217 214-215

Brussels Airport

20-21

Brussels Export

193

FOS&S

226-227

Leuven (City of)

100

221

Metris

Galleria Inno

76-77

Modenatie

Ghent International Film Festival

46-47

Mort Subite

230-231 62-63 154-155

The Masterchefs of Belgium

104

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel

122-123

The Stanhope Hotel

116-117

CapitalatWork

212-213

Giovani

Carta Mundi

202-203

Global Village Productions

Castle Brewery

160-161

Grimbergen

156-157

Nobody

66-67

Guylian

140-141

Octagon

164-165-166-167

Yoaké

170-171-172-173

Hansen Transmissions

194-195

Oni Onik

72-73

Zweko

200-201

14-16

Centre for Fine Arts Chateau d’Hassonville

52-53 109

68 10-11

Muziektheater Transparant

42-43

Night of the Proms

59

Chateau Jemeppe

244-245

HealthCity

168-169

PA Europe

Chess Cafe

132-133

Het Anker

158-159

Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp Hotel

128-129

Choprabisco

136-137

Hotel Amigo

110-111

Pauwels International

210-211

Crowne Plaza Antwerp

130-131

Hotel Metropole

114-115

Porsche2Rent

248-249

ICOS Vision Systems

228-229

Prefamac

196-197

Imec

224-225

Pro.Materia

91

255

Promobuild

256-257

Dali Diamond Co. Daneels Grafic Group

86-87 246-247

Daniel Ost

48-49

ING

Delvaux

70-71

International School of Brussels

182-183

258

Best of Belgium

Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition

Best of Belgium

259

36-37

Thewhitehotel Traficon Ultima Vez

96-97 232-233 40-41

Index Agoria

188-189

DEME Dredging

Albert Kint

146-147

Design in the Park

Alinea Andres Antwerp International School AtmosFashion AWEX Axel Vervoordt

98-99 69 184-185 74 192 50-51

198-199 101

Design Flanders Diamond Museum

92-93 80-81-82-83

Ipcos

223

Jules de Strooper

142-143

KULeuven Research & Development

220

Label-design.be

94-95

RadissonSAS Park Lane

126-127

RadissonSAS Royal Hotel

112-113

Rayjo Restauration Nouvelle

84-85 242-243

Ello Mobile

208-209

L’Albon Chambon

107

Rosas

38-39

Flamant

176-177

Lano

204

Royal Flemish Philharmonic

44-45

Flanders Congress & Conference Centre

240-241

Le Chatelain

Royal Flemish Theatre (KVS)

54-55

Flanders Investment & Trade

190

118-119

Leasinvest Real Estate

254

Sea Grill

106

30-31

Siemens

234-235

Sirop de Liège

144-145

Barco

222

Fondation Leblanc

56-57

Bel-Air

108

Foreword Brussels

17

Luke Furniture

148-149

Foreword Flanders

18

Marcolini

138-139

Straaltechniek International

206-207

Foreword Prime Minister of Belgium

15

Marriot Brussels Hotel

120-121

The Courtyard

124-125

Foreword Wallonia

19

Medicim

The Fifth Conference

250-251

Belgian Chocolate Group Belgian Designers Belsim Betafence

64-65 217 214-215

Brussels Airport

20-21

Brussels Export

193

FOS&S

226-227

Leuven (City of)

100

221

Metris

Galleria Inno

76-77

Modenatie

Ghent International Film Festival

46-47

Mort Subite

230-231 62-63 154-155

The Masterchefs of Belgium

104

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel

122-123

The Stanhope Hotel

116-117

CapitalatWork

212-213

Giovani

Carta Mundi

202-203

Global Village Productions

Castle Brewery

160-161

Grimbergen

156-157

Nobody

66-67

Guylian

140-141

Octagon

164-165-166-167

Yoaké

170-171-172-173

Hansen Transmissions

194-195

Oni Onik

72-73

Zweko

200-201

14-16

Centre for Fine Arts Chateau d’Hassonville

52-53 109

68 10-11

Muziektheater Transparant

42-43

Night of the Proms

59

Chateau Jemeppe

244-245

HealthCity

168-169

PA Europe

Chess Cafe

132-133

Het Anker

158-159

Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp Hotel

128-129

Choprabisco

136-137

Hotel Amigo

110-111

Pauwels International

210-211

Crowne Plaza Antwerp

130-131

Hotel Metropole

114-115

Porsche2Rent

248-249

ICOS Vision Systems

228-229

Prefamac

196-197

Imec

224-225

Pro.Materia

91

255

Promobuild

256-257

Dali Diamond Co. Daneels Grafic Group

86-87 246-247

Daniel Ost

48-49

ING

Delvaux

70-71

International School of Brussels

182-183

258

Best of Belgium

Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition

Best of Belgium

259

36-37

Thewhitehotel Traficon Ultima Vez

96-97 232-233 40-41

BEST OF BELGIUM

B E S T

O F

BELGIUM Volume

Volume 1

Juwelen RAYJO – Rijfstraat, 6 – 2018 Antwerpen – t: 0031-3-232.31.95 – f: 0031-3-225.27.65 – e: info@rayjo.be – w: www.rayjo.be

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