ANNUAL REPORT 2008
D’Ieteren ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Jean-Joseph d’ieteren Wheelmaking Jean-Joseph opens his wheelwright workshop and provides various horse carriage makers in Brussels with wheels as a subcontractor.
Alexandre d’ieteren Horse-carriagemaking Alexandre opens his own factory on the rue Neuve and starts building complete vehicles.
Alfred et Emile d’ieteren Horse-carriagebuilding The two brothers move their father’s workshop to the chaussée de Charleroi. They participate in numerous industrial exhibitions and give the workshop an international character. They become suppliers to the Court of Holland and later to the Court of Belgium.
2008
D’Ieteren
1805
www.dieteren.com
Contents 2
Message to Shareholders
4
Group Activities
6
Automobile Distribution –
D’Ieteren Auto
LUCIEN d’ieteren Automobile coachworking In 1919, after his brother Albert left, Lucien renames the company “Les Anciens Etablissements D’Ieteren Frères. Carrosserie de Grand Luxe.” and specialises in the design and production of bodies fitted on the chassis of many different brands. In 1931, the company starts importing and distributing American car brands like Studebaker e.g..
20 Short-Term Car Rental –
PIERRE d’ieteren Distribution and industrialization Pierre signs an agreement with Volkswagen in 1948 to distribute the famous Beetle throughout Belgium. A new assembly plant is opened in Forest and the first Studebaker comes there from the production line in 1949. The Beetle comes next in 1954. Pierre also launches “Dit’Rent-a-car”, the short-term car rental.
103 Corporate Governance
ROLAND d’ieteren Internationalization The takeover of Avis Europe in 1989 and the purchase of Belron in 1999 demonstrate the will of the family to carry on with the development of the company while emphasising its automobile experience.
Avis Europe plc
30 Vehicle Glass Repair and
Replacement – Belron s.a.
40 Financial Report 102 Major Risk Factors 106 Share Information 108 Index of Management Report