On Tuesday evening, the property company, WDP (Warehouses De Pauw), was voted “Business of the year 2017” (in Flemish “Onderneming van het jaar”). WDP was established in 1971. The company owns, develops and manages more than 3 million metres-squared of semi-industrial and logistical property. This is spread across 160 sites located in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and Romania.
It has been listed on Euronext Brussels since 1999, and the Amsterdam Stock Exchange since 2015. In 2016, WDP had a turnover of €142 million with a staff base of 60 people. Kris Peeters, the Minister for the Economy, gave the award to the CEOs of the company, Tony De Pauw and Joost Uwents.
Moreover, PlayPass, in contention for the main prize, scooped the prize awarded by the Flemish government for the most promising business of year (known in Flemish as “Prijs van de Vlaamse Regering voor de Beloftevolle Onderneming van het Jaar”).
Established in 2012, Playpass is developing an identification technology at radio frequencies, in the form of smart-access wristbands. These are intended for access control, the management of accreditations and qualifications, cashless payments, and the activation of brands and social media during events such as festivals, concerts and sports events. On Monday, Spadel had been voted “Business of the Year” in French-speaking Belgium.
The Brussels Times
