D'Ieteren : kondigt de lancering aan van een transformatieproject voor zijn hoofdzetel in Brussel

D'Ieteren Group is consolidating its presence in Brussels by launching a project to transform its headquarters.

Located in Brussels, the Mail site covers 67,000m² in the dynamic Chatelain district. The site was acquired gradually from 1906 onwards to become the headquarters of the family-owned company and one of the main sites for its automotive business. It has housed various showrooms and mechanical and body workshops, as well as the D'Ieteren Gallery - the museum that traces the Group's history since its foundation in 1805.

In response to the growth of the Group's businesses and the changing urban environment, D'Ieteren Group has launched a project to upgrade its historic site and head office. In so doing, it is demonstrating its commitment to keep its roots in Brussels and to continue to build its future there.

The transformation of the site is meant to be sustainable and multifunctional. It will integrate the needs of the city in general and the neighbourhood in particular, while remaining true to the original spirit of the building designed by architect René Stapels.

Following a design competition involving a number of leading international architecture firms, the British studio AL_A were selected to redesign the site in line with the values of D'Ieteren Group, while ensuring the greatest flexibility to accommodate future needs. One of their architectural objectives is to reduce the density of the site and open up the city block to better reflect the heritage of an international group with a global outlook. The site will include offices, shops and amenities as well as the D'Ieteren Gallery - while the car garage activities have already been relocated.

Nicolas D'Ieteren, Chairman of D'Ieteren Group : "The Mail site has been a witness to the long entrepreneurial history of the D'Ieteren family. As our businesses grow and change, we want to ensure that our properties remain suited to their needs and to those of our people, customers and communities. We have chosen to remain in Brussels to achieve this goal, by building a site which is open to the needs of current and future generations while continuing to reflect our passion for inspiring businesses."

Francis Deprez, CEO of D'Ieteren Group : "Since the inauguration of the Mail site in 1967, D'Ieteren Group has evolved into a family of businesses with an international reach. The transformation of this emblematic site embodies the shared ability of our businesses to reinvent themselves to address emerging trends and the evolving needs of their customers. It also reflects our commitment to having a meaningful impact, through building a sustainable and future-proof site that fits naturally into its surroundings while providing them with new opportunities."

For now, the plans are being developed, technical contacts are being made with the municipal and regional authorities and a permit application should be submitted in the coming months. Local residents and neighbourhood associations will be invited in due course to share their views on the project.

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% of economic rights, fully diluted) 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% owned) 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.

• TVH (40% owned), 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% owned) 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% owned) groups together the Belgian real estate interests of D'Ieteren Group. 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

Francis Deprez, Chief Executive Officer
Arnaud Laviolette, Chief Financial Officer

Anne-Catherine Zoller, Head of ESG/Sustainability and Corporate Communication | Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] | Website: www.dieterengroup.com