28 Feb 2023 - Group

Skipper Denis Van Weynbergh and the family-owned listed company D'Ieteren Group are joining forces to fly the Belgian flag at the 2024 Vendée Globe. This sporting challenge, which will last two years, is above all a human adventure that the Group intends to promote internationally among its employees.

A passionate and experienced Belgian sailor, Denis Van Weynbergh embarked on the ocean racing adventure more than two decades ago, and has already completed several prestigious races including the famous Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Rolex Fastnet Race.

His next challenge: the legendary Vendée Globe, a solitary, uninterrupted, and without assistance round-the-world sailing race. The journey begins and ends in the French port of Les Sables d'Olonne. Considered to be the world's most challenging sailing race, it has yet to see a Belgian skipper crossing the finish line.

Having found a solid partner in D'Ieteren Group, he will now have to take part in all the IMOCA races in order to qualify to compete in the 2024 Vendée Globe. A full programme with four transatlantic races and number of side races will take place over the next two seasons.

Denis Van Weynbergh: "My team and I are particularly happy and honoured that a Belgian family group of international scope has become our main partner.A Vendée Globe project is first and foremost a business project. To win a place at the starting line, you have to build a solid model on land. D'Ieteren Group has given us the financial backing that gives us the peace of mind and confidence to achieve our goal".

Convinced as much by the project as by the person pursuing it, D'Ieteren Group has found in this partnership an opportunity to promote the values it holds dear.
Nicolas D'Ieteren, Chairman of D'Ieteren Group: "We were impressed and convinced by Denis' human and professional qualities. His courage, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit echo our Group's values. We are proud to support him throughout this adventure and we look forward to sharing this exciting project with all our people".

The Group also shares Denis Van Weynbergh's social and environmental commitment. The sailor prefers short supply chains and recycling equipment to the greatest extent possible rather than purchasing new parts. His philosophy goes hand in hand with one of the pillars of the environmental approach of the Group and its companies, notably PHE and TVH, both active in the distribution and reconditioning of spare parts, or Belron, the parent company of Carglass, which favours repairing windscreen whenever possible instead of replacing it.

Denis Van Weynbergh applies this circular economy principle to every choice he makes, starting with his boat, a 2013 IMOCA 60 that has already competed in the Vendée Globe. The boat is currently being upgraded to boost its reliability and performance. Its racing name will become "D'Ieteren Group" for the next two years.

The D'Ieteren Group will also associate a charitable approach to its sponsorship.

End of press release


D'Ieteren Group profile

In existence since 1805, and across family generations, D'Ieteren Group seeks growth and value creation by pursuing a strategy on the long term for its businesses and actively encouraging and supporting them to develop their position in their industry and geographies. The Group currently owns the following businesses:

  • Belron (50.01%) has a clear purpose: "making a difference by solving people's problems with real care". It is the worldwide leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement and operates in 37 countries, through wholly owned businesses and franchises, with market leading brands - including Carglass®, Safelite® and Autoglass®. In addition, Belron manages vehicle glass and other insurance claims on behalf of insurance customers. Sales and adjusted operating result reached respectively €4,647m and €815m in FY-21.
  • D'Ieteren Automotive (100%) distributes Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Cupra, Rimac and Porsche vehicles in Belgium. It has a market share of more than 23% and 1.2 million vehicles on the road. Its business model is evolving towards "improving the lives of citizens with fluid, accessible and sustainable mobility". Sales and adjusted operating result reached respectively €3,239m and €103m in FY-21.
  • PHE (c.91%) is a leader in the independent distribution of spare parts for vehicles in Western Europe, present in France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Italy and Spain. Its mission aims at "promoting affordable and sustainable mobility". It generated sales of €2.0bn and EBITDA of €246m in FY-21.
  • TVH Parts (40%), is a leading global independent distributor for aftermarket parts for material handling, construction & industrial, and agricultural equipment. It operates in 26 countries worldwide. It has a unique operating model and has a clear purpose of "keeping customers going and growing".
  • Moleskine (100%) is a premium and aspirational lifestyle brand which develops and sells iconic branded notebooks and writing, travel and reading accessories through a global multichannel platform. Its purpose is to "unleash the human genius through hands on paper to empower creativity and knowledge in each individual and the entire world". Sales and adjusted operating result reached respectively €122m and €12m in FY-21.
  • D'Ieteren Immo (100%) groups together the Belgian real estate interests of D'Ieteren Group with the aim of creating sustainable living spaces, adapted to the evolution of people and society. It owns and manages 37 sites which generated €21.7m net rental income in FY-21. It also pursues investment projects and carries out studies into possible site renovations.


Contacts

EyeSea team

Denis Van Weynbergh - +32 473 88 81 00 - denis@eyesea.be
Press Relations
Frédérique Martineau - +33 6 07 75 21 79 - frederique0725@gmail.com
Website : https://eyesea.be

D'Ieteren Group

Francis Deprez, Chief Executive Officer
Arnaud Laviolette, Chief Financial Officer
Press Relations
Anne-Catherine Zoller, +32 476 88 97 09 - anne-catherine.zoller@dieterengroup.com
Website: https://www.dieterengroup.com


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D'Ieteren NV published this content on 28 February 2023 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 February 2023 12:10:05 UTC.