Brutsaert family: Agri-food pioneers with a fortune of €51m
Brutsaert family
The Brutsaert family, originally from the farming communities of Westhoekhas made a name for itself in the agri-food sector by the creation of Cid Lines in 1988. Pierre and Koen Brutsaert, two cousins with an entrepreneurial spirit, launched the company, which initially developed thethe only disinfectant approved by the authorities at the time, Cid 20, designed to combat contagious animal diseases such as swine fever. This product was the forerunner in the field of agricultural disinfection and cleaning, marking the birth of a constantly developing expertise in this sector, and enabled the family to have a fortune of over 50 million euros.
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Initial Market and Growth Emerging as the market leader in Belgium, Cid Lines has expanded far beyond its beginnings, exporting to the Netherlands, France and Poland. These countries were the first to discover the extensive range of Cid Lines cleaning and disinfecting productsincluding Virocid.
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International Expansion 1994 saw the first order from Asia, indicating the company's international expansion. The following years witnessed transitions to larger and larger facilities to accommodate expanding production.
Products and Sectors : The range of products has diversified to cover a variety of fields, from agriculture to the food industry and carwash. The opening of aGMP-pharma production in 2003 has made it possible to manufacture veterinary medicines that comply with strict regulations.
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Recognition and Leadership : With the avian flu crisis of 2006 in Asia and Europe, the company became a partner of the European Union. governments and industry in over 25 countries. Producing over 10 million liters of disinfectants a year, Cid Lines has established itself as a major player on the world stage.
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Company development : 2010 marked a turning point with the investment of the Gilde fund, followed in 2016 by the majority acquisition of the company by the Group IK investment. Pierre Brutsaert's departure from management in 2010 did not prevent the family from remaining involved, notably through Koen Brutsaert, now CEO, and his cousin Helena.
The Brutsaert family also have a particular interest in genealogy, having built up a family tree going back to Franciscus Brutsaert and Rita Arras, to enable a better understanding of family ties and kinship within the family. This interest in their lineage is part of a broader approach to genealogy, emphasizing the importance of roots and heritage in the continuity of their businesses. and a fortune of over €51,280,000.
