Hilde Schaltin's Colossal Legacy: ZNU and its 140 Standaard Boekhandel bookshops

Hilde Schaltin

Visit Zuidnederlandse Uitgeverij (ZNU), with its operational headquarters in Aartselaar, is a notable figure in Flemish publishing, albeit a discreet one in the region's economic landscape. This family-run group, headed by the sisters Frieda and Yvonne Schaltinis one of the largest publishing houses in Flanders. Founded with an initial focus on books for children and young peopleZNU has since diversified. Today, almost half of its sales come from the non-fiction for adults, covering areas such as tourism, leisure, cooking and gardening books. Hilde Schaltin had assets of €65 million.

ZNU has subsidiaries in France and Spain, reflecting its international expansion. A crucial step in this expansion was ZNU's acquisition of a majority shareholding in Standaard Boekhandel in 1995. Today, ZNU controls 99% of this bookstore chain, which comprises around 140 stores in Flanders and Brussels.

Discretion characterizes the activities and management of ZNU, which is partly run by by Jan Vande Veldewho also figures in the rankings of important figures in the Belgian economy. The family's discreet management style is reinforced by the death of Hilde Schaltin in 2016, which controlled 33% of the company for a fortune of over 65 Million Euros.

ZNU also owns Azura major player in online book sales. This dual distribution channel, in-store and online, contributes to the Group's financial strength. Hilde Schaltin thus remains an influential entity within the Flemish publishing industry, combining family tradition and innovation in the publishing sector.