Urbain Vandeurzen: From LMS to Siemens, a €700m Belgian Success Story - Pionnier de l'Innovation
Urbain Vandeurzen
An engineer at the age of 24, Urbain Vandeurzen became shareholder of LMS, a company launched in 1979 by assistants at KU Leuven University. Under his leadership, LMS has established itself as a pioneer in test systems and simulation software designed for the most demanding applications. the industry automotiveaeronautics and machinery. This Belgian company specializes in combating vibrations and improving the comfort, driving behavior and durability of the products tested.
Continuous innovation has enabled LMS to partially replace physical tests on prototypes with software simulations, and to move ahead in the field of mechatronics. Around 40 % of its sales came from Europe, another 40 % from Asia and the remaining 20 % from the United States, indicating a strong global presence and particular growth in emerging countries.
Noting the entrepreneurial difficulties in Belgium due to labor costs and regulations, Vandeurzen has expanded LMS's prospects on the international scene. In 2012, LMS was acquired by the giant Siemens for 700 million euros, Vandeurzen then owned 60 % of the company and became the Top 60 richest Belgians in the country (480 million euros).
After the sale, he devoted himself to Smile Invest, a new fund raising €250 million in venture capital in 2017, backed by influential entrepreneurs and managed by former Gimv executives. Vandeurzen advocated the privatization of Gimvwhich he chaired unsuccessfully from 2011 to 2016. Today, he is diversifying his investments, with a particular interest in the viticulture in Hageland.
| Entity | Role/Beneficiary |
|---|---|
| Urbain Vandeurzen | Founder of LMS, Chairman of Smile Invest |
| LMS | Specialized in test and simulation for industries |
| Gimv | Partner and former president of Vandeurzen |
| Siemens Industry Software | New name for LMS after acquisition |
| Smile Invest | Venture capital fund to diversify investments |
| KU Leuven | LMS home university |
| Vlaamse overheid | Gimv's largest shareholder |
In its diversified commitment, Urbain Vandeurzen demonstrates a clear ambition: to drive innovation and create value in a variety of sectors, while adapting to international economic requirements. resulted in assets of €482,933,000.
