Today, BESIX Group finalized the acquisition of CR-Invest bvba. The acquisition was done through BESIX Group’s Belgian subsidiary Van den Berg. CR-Invest and its two subsidiaries Uniconnect NV and Staffing Algemene Aannemingen bvba jointly form the “Uniconnect Group”, based in Zele, founded and until recently controlled by Chris Raemdonck.
The Uniconnect Group, which attained a turnover of around € 12 million in 2017 and has more than 120 employees, is a multidisciplinary network infrastructure builder specializing in the laying of cables and pipelines, the installation of fibre optic networks and the roll-out of home connections. Uniconnect is very complementary to Van den Berg, especially with regards to the distribution market with framework contracts. Uniconnect also gives additional regional coverage in Belgium, which is a significant advantage.
Rik Vandenberghe, CEO of BESIX Group: "We are giving Van den Berg, which we acquired in 2017 from the Dutch Heijmans Group and which has since grown strongly, additional clout with which to strengthen its position on the Belgian market. The major growth in data traffic, investments in infrastructure and the various expansion projects in the utilities sector offer favourable prospects."
Jean Polet, General Manager of BESIX Contracting Europe adds: "With this acquisition, Van den Berg, which has evolved considerably in recent years into a project-based organization, becomes an even more leading player in cable and pipeline construction, with important applications for the energy, water and telecom sectors."
René Marnef, Managing Director of Van den Berg: "The Uniconnect companies, which will become 100% subsidiaries of Van den Berg, continue to operate independently out of Zele. Chris Raemdonck will remain fully involved as Managing Director of Uniconnect. Together with Van den Berg management, he will help expand the Group over the coming years."
About BESIX Group
BESIX Group is a leading Belgian Group, operating in construction, concessions and property development sectors. It profiles itself as a multi-services Group, catering for multi-size projects. The Group was founded in 1909, since when it has grown steadily and impressively. NV BESIX SA, its biggest subsidiary, is active in practically every field of construction. In addition to the activities of BESIX and its other subsidiaries, BESIX Infra, Belemco, Cobelba, Jacques Delens, Socogetra, Vanhout, Wust, Franki Foundations, BESIX RED, Lux TP, West Construct and Van den Berg in Benelux-France, the Group is present in Eastern Europe, North and Central Africa and the Middle East, via Six Construct, in Canada, in Sri Lanka and Australia. In 2017, the Group achieved revenues of EUR 2.3 billion. BESIX has about 15,000 employees active in 24 countries on 5 continents.
Find more information at: www.BESIX.com