Packaging group voted Flemish Company of the Year
Cardboard packaging manufacturer Van Genechten Packaging Group has been crowned Flanders' Company of the Year. The company, based in Turnhout, received the award from minister president Matthias Diependaele at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Van Genechten Packaging Group is a family business that has been around for six generations. It has 2,300 employees at 17 sites in nine countries and a turnover of 436 million euros. According to the jury, the company distinguishes itself “through its leading European position in a competitive sector, with loyal master brands as customers and strong, profitable growth”.
“The ambitious vision, based on operational excellence as a foundation and on market-driven innovation, customer intimacy and end-to-end solutions as differentiation, creates sustainable value,” said jury chair Michèle Sioen. “This approach has resulted in a visionary turnaround with more decentralised ownership, supported by a close partnership between shareholders and management and backed by substantial, intelligent investments.”
For Frédéric de Somer, owner and chair of Van Genechten Packaging, this is the second time he has won the Company of the Year award. He also won it in 2008 with playing card manufacturer Cartamundi.
The other nominees for the 2025 award were soil research company ABO Group Environment, horse care group Equine Care Group and logistics port company Noord Natie.
Ghent-based Aikido Security, which helps software companies secure their digital environment, received the Flemish Government Award for Scale-up of the Year. The other nominees were Harmoney, Just Russel and Nobi.
"...with clear ambition, strong human complementarity and a long-term vision, it is possible to build a success that extends far beyond our borders"
On Monday evening, Trasis was named Wallonia's Company of the Year and LIZY was crowned Scale-up of the Year.
Trasis, founded in Liège in 2004, is a world leader in nuclear medicine, offering automated solutions for cancer diagnosis and treatment. With 400 employees and a presence in 60 countries, the company helps treat 4.5 million patients per year and generates turnover of more than 90 million euros.
The jury praised its remarkable trajectory, its continuous innovation and its strong roots in Belgium. Jury chair Sébastien Dossogne said: "Trasis demonstrates that with clear ambition, strong human complementarity and a long-term vision, it is possible to build a success that extends far beyond our borders."
LIZY provides car leasing services to self-employed people and SMEs in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
The Company of the Year award is organised by EY, in collaboration with De Tijd, L'Echo, BNP Paribas Fortis and WorxInvest. This is the 31st edition of the award.
#FlandersNewsService | Van Genechten Packaging Group wins Flanders' Company of the Year award © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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