Car auction by Axel Moorkens

Axel Moorkens: The 198-million-euro automotive empire in the midst of diversification

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"Axel Moorkens: The 198-Million-Euro Automotive Empire Diversifies "
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"Axel Moorkens, heir to a Belgian industrial dynasty, steers Alcopa to new heights with family assets estimated at over 198 million euros. Starting out as an Asian automobile importer, the group has successfully diversified its activities, notably with Sapim, the world leader in bicycle spokes, present in seven countries. The recent acquisition of 10% from the Whitestone holding company bears witness to Axel Moorkens' expansion ambitions. As Chairman of Alcopa and owner of 17% of the group, he embodies the new generation of Belgian industrialists, combining family heritage and strategic vision to conquer international markets, from automotive to high-tech components.

Black man adjusting waiters by Laurent Drion

Laurent Drion: The Tech Visionary who Forged a 76-Million-Euro Empire

"Laurent Drion, Belgian Internet pioneer with Skynet, has transformed his initial success into a tech empire valued at over 76 million euros. Founder of E-Merge, an audacious venture capital fund, Drion has invested in over 30 promising tech startups, with stakes of up to 1.5 million euros. His flair for innovation, illustrated by the lucrative sale of Ogone, and his hands-on approach to venture capital have made him a key figure in the European tech ecosystem. From Skynet to CubeSats, Drion continues to shape the digital future, demonstrating that clear vision and calculated risk-taking can lead to considerable fortune in the tech world.

Building the Willemen family

Willemen family: the 750-million-euro construction empire undergoing a metamorphosis

The Willemen family, at the head of a construction empire estimated at 750 million euros in annual sales, is navigating through a crucial period of transformation. Founded by Johan Willemen, the Willemen Group has established itself as a construction giant in Belgium, with over 2,100 employees. Despite recent challenges, including a loss of 35 million euros in 2022, the company is demonstrating its resilience by refocusing on the Belgian market. With a family fortune in excess of 53 million euros, the Willemen are a perfect example of how a family business can adapt to the turbulence of the construction sector, while maintaining its leading position in key areas such as infrastructure and real estate.

photo of the Le Hodey family from their IPM advert

Le Hodey family: Belgium's 104-million-euro media empire in full metamorphosis

The Le Hodey family, a pillar of the Belgian media landscape with a fortune estimated at over 104 million euros, skilfully navigates a changing industry. At the helm of IPM Group, owner of prestigious titles such as La Libre Belgique and La Dernière Heure, François le Hodey continues the family legacy while diversifying activities. Faced with declining newspaper sales, the family has orchestrated bold strategic moves, including the acquisition of LN24 and the lucrative sale of betFIRST for 120 million euros. This family saga, blending politics, media and innovation, illustrates the resilience and adaptability of a Belgian dynasty in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.

Laurent Levaux's management style

Laurent Levaux: The Strategic Rectifier who orchestrated a 600 million euro sale

Laurent Levaux, a graduate of UCLouvain and the University of Chicago, has established himself as one of Belgium's leading business turnarounds. From McKinsey consultant to CEO of Aviapartner, via the spectacular rescue of ABX, sold for 600 million euros, Levaux has demonstrated an exceptional ability to transform ailing companies. His impressive career includes key positions at Proximus, Bpost, and the presidency of Nethys, illustrating his versatility in a variety of sectors. An astute strategist and recognized crisis manager, Levaux has built a career marked by daring restructurings and resounding financial successes, making him a key figure on the Belgian business scene.

Société d'intermi de Kristof Sanders Forum interim

Kristof Sanders: The Visionary Architect of Forum Interim, a 53 Million Euro Success-Story

Kristof Sanders, co-founder of Forum Interim in 1997, has transformed an initial investment of 150,000 euros into a recruitment empire valued at 53 million euros. Specializing in cross-border recruitment, the company has conquered the West Flanders job market thanks to an innovative strategy. The acquisition by Straco in 2017, endowing Forum Jobs with a war chest of 50 million euros, marked a decisive turning point. Under the new holding company Forpar, Sanders and his team continue to expand their influence, perfectly illustrating how entrepreneurial vision and adaptation to market needs can create a success story in the human resources field.

woman of color analyzing the Medina laboratory of Famille De Raedt-Verheyden

De Raedt-Verheyden family: Colossal 1.7-billion-euro empire in biotechnology

Gino De Raedt and Frederica Verheyden have built a financial empire estimated at over 1.7 billion euros, from a simple medical laboratory in 1978 to major players in European biotechnology. Their journey, marked by strategic acquisitions and a spectacular merger with Biogroup, illustrates an exceptional entrepreneurial vision. With record dividends and diversified investments in real estate and private equity, the De Raedt-Verheyden couple have become one of Belgium's largest fortunes, while preparing for the future with their daughter Ann. Their story embodies the perfect blend of scientific innovation and financial genius.

Rest home designed by Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick

Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick: The 41-Million-Euro Titanic Empire in Senior Care

Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick, founders of Senior Assist in 2006, have built an empire in the elderly care sector, valued at over 41 million euros. Their company manages 32 residential care centers and 147 assisted living facilities in Belgium, accommodating nearly 2,800 residents and employing 1,800 people. Despite international expansion and service diversification, Senior Assist encountered financial difficulties in 2017, leading to the sale of certain assets. The company, structured with a plurality of shareholders and present in Luxembourg, illustrates the challenges and opportunities of the senior care sector, which is constantly evolving to meet the needs of an aging population.

madame reading a book by Frieda Schaltin

Jan Vande Velden: The Strategic Architect behind the 50 Million Euro ZNU Empire

Jan Vande Velden, Managing Director of Zuidnederlandse Uitgeverij (ZNU), played a crucial role in transforming this publishing house into a flourishing literary empire. Under his visionary leadership, Lier-based ZNU, with capital of 50.8 million euros, has undergone remarkable expansion. The strategic acquisition of 37% from Standaard Boekhandel in 1994, followed by the acquisition of majority control, propelled ZNU to the forefront of the Flemish publishing market. Vande Velden, initially a close collaborator of Father Schaltin, skilfully navigated the publishing landscape, extending ZNU's influence into Wallonia with the acquisition of the Club chain. His leadership enabled ZNU to establish itself as a key player in Belgian publishing, publishing under the Deltas name in Flanders.

madame reading a book by Frieda Schaltin

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

Hilde Schaltin, an iconic figure at Zuidnederlandse Uitgeverij (ZNU), left a lasting legacy in the world of Flemish publishing. Before her death in 2016, she controlled 33% of this discreet but influential family business. Under the leadership of the Schaltin sisters, ZNU transformed itself from a publishing house specializing in children's literature into a diversified publishing empire. The strategic acquisition of Standaard Boekhandel in 1995, now numbering 140 bookshops, marked a major turning point. ZNU extended its influence internationally with subsidiaries in France and Spain, while adapting to the digital age via the Azur platform. Hilde Schaltin's legacy lives on in this company, which combines family tradition and editorial innovation.