List of companies of Belgium
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Belgium is a sovereign state in Western Europe bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the North Sea. It is a small, densely populated country which covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of about 11 million people. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups: the Dutch-speaking, mostly Flemish community, which constitutes about 59% of the population, and the French-speaking, mostly Walloon population, which comprises 41% of all Belgians. Additionally, there is a small group of German-speakers who live in the East Cantons located around the High Fens area, and bordering Germany.
Belgium's strongly globalized economy[1] and its transport infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. Its location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helped make it the world's 15th largest trading nation in 2007.[2][3] The economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita.[4] Belgium's main imports are raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, and oil products. Its main exports are machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, and foodstuffs.[5]
For further information on the types of business entities in this country and their abbreviations, see "Business entities in Belgium".
Largest firms[]
This list shows firms in the Fortune Global 500, which ranks firms by total revenues reported before 31 March 2017.[6] Only the top five firms (if available) are included as a sample.
Rank | Image | Name | 2016 Revenues (USD $M) | Employees | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
206 | ![]() |
Anheuser-Busch InBev | $45,905 | 206,633 | The world's largest brewer with about 28% of the global market. The conglomerate has been on the list for 12 years, peaking at 196 in 2010. |
Notable firms[]
This list includes notable companies with primary headquarters located in the country. The industry and sector follow the Industry Classification Benchmark taxonomy. Organizations which have ceased operations are included and noted as defunct.
Name | Industry | Sector | Headquarters | Founded | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abelag Aviation | Consumer services | Airlines | Zaventem | 1964 | Charter airline |
Ablynx | Health care | Biotechnology | Ghent[7] | 2001 | Biopharma |
Ackermans & van Haaren | Conglomerates | - | Antwerp | 1876 | Construction, real estate, financial services |
AG Real Estate | Financials | Real estate holding and development | Brussels | 1824 | Real estate |
Ageas | Financials | Consumer finance | Brussels | 1990 | Financing |
Agfa-Gevaert | Technology | Computer services | Mortsel | 1867 | Digital imaging and IT solutions |
Agoria | Industrials | Business support services | Brussels | 1946 | Trade association |
AIM Productions | Technology | Computer services | Hove | 1994 | IT |
Alpro | Consumer goods | Food products | Ghent[8] | 1980 | Soy products |
Anheuser-Busch InBev | Consumer goods | Brewers | Leuven | 2008 | Breweries, distributors; see also InBev brands |
Antwerp Water Works | Utilities | Water | Antwerp | 1880 | Water utility |
Aquafin | Utilities | Water | Antwerp | 1990 | Wastewater |
ASL Airlines Belgium | Industrials | Delivery services | Liège | 1999 | Cargo airline, part of ASL Airlines Ireland |
Associated Weavers | Consumer goods | Clothing and accessories | Ronse | 1964 | Textile |
Aveve | Consumer goods | Farming and fishing | Aalter | 1890 | Agriculture |
Aviapartner | Industrials | Delivery services | Brussels | 1949 | Ground handling |
Barco | Technology | Computer hardware | Kortrijk | 1934 | Display manufacturer |
Base | Industrials | Business support services | Brussels | 1993 | Communications and design |
Beaulieu International Group | Consumer goods | Clothing and accessories | Wielsbeke | 1959 | Textiles |
Befimmo | Financials | Real estate holding and development | Brussels | 1995 | Real estate |
Bekaert | Basic materials | Specialty chemicals | Kortrijk | 1880 | Metal transformations and coatings |
Belgian Beer Café | Consumer services | Restaurants and bars | Leuven | 1998 | Cafe/restaurant |
Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries | Financials | Specialty finance | Brussels | 2001 | Financial NGO |
Bpost | Industrials | Delivery services | Brussels | 2000 | Postal services |
Brussels Airlines | Consumer services | Airlines | Brussels | 2006 | Flag carrier airline, part of Lufthansa (Germany) |
Brussels Regional Investment Company | Financials | Specialty finance | Brussels | 1984 | Financing |
Cockerill Sambre | Basic materials | Iron and steel | Seraing | 1817 | Partially Defunct in 1998 |
Carmeuse | Basic materials | General mining | Louvain-la-Neuve | 1860 | Lime and limestone mining |
Cartamundi | Consumer goods | Toys | Turnhout | 1970 | Games |
Cavalier Chocolate | Consumer goods | Food products | Eeklo | 1996 | Chocolatier |
Claeys | Industrials | Commercial vehicles and trucks | Zedelgem | 1906 | Farm equipment, defunct 1991 |
Cofinimmo | Financials | Real estate services | Brussels | 1983 | Real estate |
Colruyt Group | Consumer services | Food retailers and wholesalers | Halle | 1925 | Retail, supermarkets |
Compagnie Maritime Belge | Industrials | Marine transportation | Antwerp | 1895 | Shipping |
Confiserie Roodthooft | Consumer goods | Food products | Antwerp | 1925 | Confectioner |
Copiepresse | Consumer services | Publishing | Brussels | 2000 | Newspaper |
De Lijn | Consumer services | Travel and tourism | Mechelen | 1991 | State-owned public transportation |
Deceuninck | Basic materials | Commodity chemicals | Hooglede | 1937 | PVC |
Delhaize Group | Consumer goods | Food products | Brussels | 1867 | Food |
DEME | Industrials | Heavy construction | Zwijndrecht | 1991 | Infrastructure |
D'Ieteren | Consumer services | Specialized consumer services | Brussels | 1805 | Automotive services |
DOMO Group | Consumer goods | Clothing and accessories | Ghent | 1992 | Textiles |
Ecover | Consumer goods | Nondurable household products | Malle | 1979 | Cleaning products |
Effortel | Financials | Financial services | Brussels | 2005 | Money movement |
ETAP Lighting | Consumer goods | Building materials and fixtures | Malle | 1949 | Lighting |
Eurogentec | Health care | Biotechnology | Seraing | 1985 | Biotech |
EVS Broadcast Equipment | Technology | Telecommunications equipment | Liège | 1994 | Broadcasting equipment |
Ferranti Computer Systems | Technology | Computer hardware | Antwerp | 1976 | Computers, previously a part of Ferranti (UK) |
Fluxys | Oil and gas | Exploration and production | Brussels | 2001 | Natural gas, subsidiary of Suez |
Forrest Group | Basic materials | General mining | Wavre | 1922 | Mining |
Gimv | Financials | Equity investment instruments | Brussels | 1980[9] | Investing |
Godiva Chocolatier | Consumer goods | Food products | Brussels | 1926 | Chocolatier |
Group Joos | Consumer services | Publishing | Turnhout | 1935 | Printing, document management |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert | Industrials | Diversified industrials | Brussels | 1902 | Industrial holdings |
Guylian | Consumer goods | Food products | Sint-Niklaas | 1960 | Chocolatier |
IMEC | Technology | Computer services | Leuven | 1984 | Technology research center |
Imperia Automobiles | Consumer goods | Automobiles | Liège | 1906 | Automotive, revived in 2009 |
Innogenetics | Health care | Biotechnology | Ghent | 1985 | Diagnostics, IVD |
Jan De Nul | Industrials | Building materials and fixtures | Aalst | 1938 | Construction, maritime maintenance |
Janssen Pharmaceutica | Health care | Pharmaceuticals | Beerse | 1953 | Pharma, subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson |
Jonckheere | Industrials | Commercial vehicles and trucks | Roeselare | 1881 | Buses |
Katoen Natie | Industrials | Delivery services | Antwerp | 1854 | Logistics |
KBC Bank | Financials | Banks | Brussels | 1985 | Bank |
Keytrade Bank | Financials | Investment services | Brussels | 1998 | Investments |
Kinepolis | Consumer services | Recreational services | Ghent | 1997 | Movie theaters |
Larian Studios | Technology | Software | Ghent | 1996 | Game developer |
Libeco-Lagae | Consumer goods | Clothing and accessories | Meulebeke | 1997 | Textiles |
Louis Delhaize Group | Consumer services | Food retailers and wholesalers | Charleroi | 1875 | Retail, supermarkets |
Luciad NV | Technology | Computer services | Leuven | 1999 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) |
Materialise NV | Technology | Computer services | Leuven | 1990 | 3D printing solutions |
Metallo-Chimique | Basic materials | Nonferrous metals | Beerse | 1919 | Mining |
Mutoh Europe nv | Consumer goods | Consumer electronics | Ostend | 1990 | Electronics |
Namahn | Industrials | Business support services | Brussels | 1987 | Design consulting |
Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille (CNP) | Industrials | Diversified industrials | Gerpinnes | 1981 | Industrial holding |
Nyrstar | Basic materials | General mining | Balen | 2007 | Mining |
Option N.V. | Technology | Computer hardware | Leuven | 1986 | Wireless technology |
Proost | Consumer services | Publishing | Turnhout | 1913 | Book publishing |
Proximus | Telecommunications | Mobile telecommunications | Brussels | 1994 | Mobile network, part of Proximus Group |
Proximus Group | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | Brussels | 1930 | State-owned telecommunications |
Regional Investment Company of Wallonia | Financials | Investment services | Liège | 1979 | Investments |
Reynaers Aluminium | Basic materials | Aluminum | Duffel | 1965 | Aluminium |
RHJ International | Financials | Asset managers | Brussels | 1786 | Financial services group |
Ridley Bikes | Consumer goods | Recreational products | Paal | 1997 | Bicycles |
Saluc | Consumer goods | Recreational products | Péruwelz | 1923 | Ball manufacturing |
Septentrio | Consumer goods | Consumer electronics | Leuven | 2000 | Electronics |
Seyntex | Consumer goods | Clothing and accessories | Oostrozebeke | 1908 | Textiles |
Skytech | Industrials | Aerospace | Brussels | 1989 | Helicopters |
Sofina | Financials | Equity investment instruments | Brussels | 1898 | Investing |
Solvay S.A. | Basic materials | Specialty chemicals | Brussels | 1863 | Industrial chemicals |
Soudal | Basic materials | Specialty chemicals | Turnhout | 1966 | Silicone |
Sugar refinery of Tienen | Consumer goods | Food products | Tienen | 1836 | Sugar |
Telenet | Telecommunications | Fixed line telecommunications | Mechelen | 1996 | Broadband cable |
Teleroute | Industrials | Delivery services | Brussels | 1985 | Freight |
Thermote & Vanhalst | Industrials | Commercial vehicles and trucks | Waregem | 1969 | Spare parts, accessories |
Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium | Consumer services | Airlines | Zaventem | 2001 | Charter airline |
Tibotec | Health care | Pharmaceuticals | Mechelen | 1994 | Pharma, subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (US) |
TiGenix | Health care | Biotechnology | Leuven | 2000 | Biomedical |
Tractebel | Industrials | Business support services | Brussels | 1986 | Engineering |
Truvo | Industrials | Business support services | Antwerp | 1968 | Local search, directories |
TUIfly Belgium | Consumer services | Airlines | Zaventem | 2003 | Airline |
UCB | Health care | Pharmaceuticals | Brussels | 1928 | Pharma |
UMedia | Consumer services | Broadcasting and entertainment | Brussels | 2010 | Film studio |
Umicore | Basic materials | General mining | Brussels | 1989 | Materials and mining |
Unibind | Industrials | Containers and packaging | Brussels | 1939 | Bookbinding |
Union Minière du Haut Katanga | Basic materials | General mining | Brussels | 1906 | Mining, defunct 1966 |
Van Genechten Packaging | Industrials | Containers and packaging | Turnhout | 1833 | Printing, packaging |
Van Hool | Industrials | Commercial vehicles and trucks | Koningshooikt | 1947 | Buses |
Vanbreda International | Financials | Life insurance | Antwerp | 1937 | Health insurance |
Vanparys | Consumer goods | Food products | Brussels | 1889 | Confectioner |
Velleman | Industrials | Electronic equipment | Gavere | 1975 | Electronics |
Vinçotte | Industrials | Business support services | Brussels | 1873 | Inspections |
VLM Airlines | Consumer services | Airlines | Antwerp | 1992 | Airline |
Volvo Car Gent | Consumer goods | Automobiles | Ghent | 1965 | Local subsidiary of Volvo (Sweden) |
Walloon SME finance and guarantee company | Financials | Specialty finance | Liège | 2002 | Financing |
Zetes | Technology | Technology hardware | Brussels | 1984 | Identification technology
|
Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station in Ghent.
The container terminal in the port of Antwerp.
(formerly Delwaidedok)Stella Artois brewery in Leuven.
Brussels Airlines aircraft lined up at Brussels Airport
See also[]
- List of largest companies in Belgium
- List of Belgium-related topics
- List of airlines of Belgium
- List of Belgian banks
References[]
- ^ Belgium ranked first in the KOF Globalization Index 2009 ETH Zürich (ed.). "KOF Index of Globalization". Retrieved 2 February 2009.
- ^ "Rank Order – Exports". CIA – The 2008 world factbook. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
15[th]: Belgium $322,200,000,000 (2007 est.)
- ^ "Rank Order – Imports". CIA – The 2008 world factbook. Archived from the original on 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
15[th]: Belgium $323,200,000,000 (2007 est.)
- ^ "Belgian economy". Belgium. Belgian Federal Public Service (ministry) of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
Belgium is the world leader in terms of export per capita and can justifiably call itself the 'world's largest exporter'.
- ^ "Belgium". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- ^ DeCarlo, Scott (20 July 2017). "The Fortune 2017 Global 500". Fortune.
- ^ "Llama-Based Biotechnology Draws New Interest to Ablynx". Bloomberg. 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
- ^ "Alpro - About Alpro". www.alpro.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ "Gimv Investeringsmaatschappij Voor Vlaanderen NV, GIMV:PAR profile - FT.com". Markets.ft.com. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
External links[]
- Companies of Belgium
- Lists of companies by country
- Lists of companies of Belgium