The Herman Dessers Prize, one of the most prestigious awards for entrepreneurs in Limburg, will move to Lommel, Bilzen or Pelt for the 30th edition. After all, the nominated contenders are the CEOs of Horeca Van Zon, Vandersanden and Staf Cars.
They can battle it out among themselves: Johan Deburchgrave (Vandersanden), Marion Van Zon (Horeca Van Zon) and Paul Cremers (Staf Cars). They are the contenders for the 30th Herman Dessers Entrepreneurship Award from Voka Limburg. A show:
Johan Deburchgrave (Vandersanden)
It was in 1925 that Jaak Vandersanden opened a small brickyard in Spouwen (Bilzen). After the Second World War, his son Constant expanded the company into a leading company in Belgium, through acquisitions, capacity increases and modernization. Today, the brick manufacturer is the largest family business in the sector in Europe, with more than 800 employees and an annual turnover approaching 300 million euros. Jean-Pierre Wuytack headed the family business for 33 years, until he was succeeded by Rudi Peeters in 2021. Since this year, it has been up to Johan Deburchgrave to continue the organization’s pioneering role in the field of innovation and sustainability.
Marion Van Zon (Horeca Van Zon)
Catering wholesaler Van Zon started in 1964. Grandpa Gradje and grandma Nanda took the entrepreneurial risk in the coal shed behind their home in Hamont-Achel. With the cart they serve customers herring, pickled mussels, cervelas, meat croquettes and frikandels. In ’72 Pierre and Lizet took over as the second generation. In 1998, daughter Marion (3rd generation) joined the company. In 2011, she also officially took on the role of CEO. In the coming years, she will strategically further expand her purchasing centers – with more than 30,000 catering items -, realize targeted and successful acquisitions and fully opt for sustainable business operations with sustainable products. In this way, she not only proves her strong position as a one-stop-shop for catering professionals, but she also demonstrates a future-oriented vision for her family business with 300 employees.
Paul Cremers (Cars Staff)
11.5 million kilometers. That is the distance that the buses of coach company Staf Cars travel annually. Founded in 1952, in the north of the province, the Limburg bus company today has a fleet of 120 buses driven by more than 160 bus drivers. At the age of 31 – ten years later than he would have liked – Paul Cremers took over the company from his father. He makes the case more versatile. For example, he participates in the story of the German Flix buses and, together with CEO Pieter Thijs, he realizes various strategic takeovers of travel organizers – including Hasselt’s Snowtravel. Staf Cars also belongs to the family holding company CapreaLeo, which Cremers manages together with its partner Annita Daniels. By investing in foreign workers, he simultaneously ensures an inclusive workplace and a good counter solution to the structural staff shortage. In this way, Cremers has succeeded in making bus transport hip and attractive again for the future.
Annual Meeting ‘Under the Stars’
“Our three contenders for the Herman Dessers Entrepreneurship Award are all ambassadors for Limburg entrepreneurship,” says Voka chairman Joris Vrancken. “They are living proof of entrepreneurship that can grow and flourish in our province. Entrepreneurship is something you do in good and bad days, our nominees know that better than anyone. And although only one can become the laureate of our Entrepreneurship Award, all three deserve this recognition for their contribution to the Limburg entrepreneurial landscape.”
Who will succeed Luc Jeurissen (Trixxo) will be announced on Thursday, June 6, during the annual meeting “Under the Stars” of Voka Limburg: a major networking event in the Hasselt Trixxo Arena.
Tags: Van Zon Staf Cars Vandersanden
