Belourthe voted ‘Entreprise de l'année 2014®’
CEFALY TECHNOLOGY voted ‘L’Entreprise Prometteuse de l’Année 2014®’
Monday, October 13, 2014 — Belourthe wins the 19th edition of ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année®’. The ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année®’ award is organised by EY in partnership with L’Echo and BNP Paribas Fortis. Belourthe was awarded the top prize this year out of the four nominated companies: Belourthe, Colona, the Eggo-Euro Center Group and Lampiris.
Belourthe was founded in 2006, following the closure of the Nestlé plant in Hamoir. The company started from scratch, without a customer-base, brand or product. Thanks to a strategy founded on innovation, competitiveness and export, Vincent Crahay successfully achieved his goal to save this gem of the Walloon economy. Today, Belourthe exports cereal products for babies and other foodstuffs to more than 50 countries worldwide. Export represents more than 95% of the company's revenue. With 68 employees, Belourthe’s sales topped 22 million euro in 2013. Prime Minister Charles Michel presented the award to Vincent Crahay, Chief Executive Officer of Belourthe.
The ‘L’Entreprise Prometteuse de l’Année®’ award is in its second year. This year's winner, CEFALY Technology, was crowned the winner of four nominees: CEFALY Technology, intoPIX, ORA and UNITEQ. The award was presented by the Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Employment and Economy, Didier Gosuin.
CEFALY Technology developed the first device for external neurostimulation of the skull used to treat migraines. In the past four years, the company has witnessed double-digit growth, which further accelerated once the device was given a green light in the US – where it is protected by several patents. Its close collaboration with the University of Liege in addition to 11 other European universities significant increases the innovation capacity of the company in the treatment of treating disorders of the nervous system.
Globally recognized award
EY is in its 19th consecutive year of hosting the ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année®’ award in the French-speaking part of Belgium. Since 1996, EY has honoured companies that demonstrate impressive growth and set themselves apart through their innovation, international presence, strategic vision and perseverance.
“The ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année’ award recognizes companies that are experiencing spectacular growth and results, and that have distinguished themselves with their business savvy, strategy, management, innovation, openness and tenacity under all circumstances. These companies are delivering sensational growth and results, and are financially healthy. Extremely competent, ambitious and high-performing companies were again nominated for this 19th edition of ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année®’. Yet there was one company that made a particular impression on the jury thanks to its quality and ambition: Belourthe. We are delighted that a high-performing and dynamic company like Belourthe was named ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année 2014®’", says Philippe Pire, EY partner.
Belourthe succeeds laureates includingTilman (2013), TPF (2012), Hamon (2011), Exki (2010), Proximedia (2009), FIB Belgium (2008) Amtoys/Noukie’s (2007), Concept et Forme (Stûv) (2006), Callataÿ et Wouters (Sopra Banking Software) (2005), Pharmadeal (Pharmexx) (2004), Euroscreen (2003), I.R.I.S. Group (2002), Eurogentec (2001), EVS Broadcast Equipment (2000), IBA (1999), Ariane II (Sogeti Belgium) (1998), Moorkens Projects (1997) and DB Associates (AOS Belgium) (1996).
"Belourthe is built on an industrial manufacturing site which was previously home to a large multinational. It succeeded in relaunching industrial and commercial activities at the site and implementing a strategy that links an efficient production process with R&D and marketing programmes, resulting in a profitable and export-oriented business model. Belourthe won over the jury with this story, and was voted ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année 2014®’", emphasizes Jury Chairman Baron Jean Stephenne.
Recognising a young company with strong growth potential
The ‘L’Entreprise Prometteuse de l’Année®’ award is in its second edition in the French-speaking part of Belgium. The award honours a young company in full expansion, a possible future laureate of ‘L’Entreprise de l’Année®’. Among the companies that survived the preselection, CEFALY Technology, intoPIX, ORA and UNITEQ could count on the special attention of the jury. Yet there was one company that stood head and shoulders above the rest: CEFALY Technology, which succeeds OpenERP, laureate of ‘L’Entreprise Prometteuse de l’Année 2013®’.
"In choosing CEFALY Technology from a group of remarkable and promising nominees, the ‘L’Entreprise Prometteuse de l’Année 2014®’ jury is honoring a company that has developed a very innovative product with great international potential. The company has a mature and experienced management team that in the future perhaps will guide the company to the distinction of ‘L'Entreprise the l'Année®’. This indeed is the jury’s wish for the company", concludes Pierre Rion, jury chairman.
