{"id":897,"date":"2020-08-03T01:29:47","date_gmt":"2020-08-03T01:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/groupbernaerts.be\/corporate\/?page_id=897"},"modified":"2021-11-24T08:51:09","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T08:51:09","slug":"history-en","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/groupbernaerts.be\/corporate\/en\/history-en\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/div>

History<\/h2>
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Group Bernaerts started out in the tyre business, when founder Guido Bernaerts began his career as an entrepreneur. His talent and ambition for property has been a constant throughout his career, using the proceeds from his tyre wholesaler to invest in strategic land holdings. In the early 1990s, Guido sold his tyre retail chain and stepped into the property sector, which is where the journey began.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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1990<\/h3>
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Businesspark Vaartkaai is the first project to be developed and built by Guido Bernaerts. The semi-industrial project is located in the Port of Antwerp, and has a rentable floor area of about 15,500m\u00b2. Even today, decades later, the site is a popular location for SMEs.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the group purchases its first strategic land holdings off the Antwerp ring road, the A12 motorway in Willebroek, and the A19 at Mechelen-Zuid.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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1990<\/h3>
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Businesspark Vaartkaai is the first project to be developed and built by Guido Bernaerts. The semi-industrial project is located in the Port of Antwerp, and has a rentable floor area of about 15,500m\u00b2. Even today, decades later, the site is a popular location for SMEs.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the group purchases its first strategic land holdings off the Antwerp ring road, the A12 motorway in Willebroek, and the A19 at Mechelen-Zuid.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2000<\/h3>
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At the turn of the century, the diggers are out again, and the group starts work on building the new office complex at Noordersingel in Antwerp. The site is prominently located beside the Antwerp ring road, and becomes something of a local landmark. And while the Antwerp Ring Center might be the building\u2019s birth name, it is better known as the Police Tower, since it is home to the federal police.<\/p>\n

Office Park Mechelen and Coberna Semi-Industrieel are the next projects to get underway. The business park is strategically located off the Mechelen-Zuid motorway junction. Both buildings boast ample parking and a highly efficient gross-net floor area ratio. The facades are made of glass and natural stone, giving both buildings a timeless look.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

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2000<\/h3>
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At the turn of the century, the diggers are out again, and the group starts work on building the new office complex at Noordersingel in Antwerp. The site is prominently located beside the Antwerp ring road, and becomes something of a local landmark. And while the Antwerp Ring Center might be the building\u2019s birth name, it is better known as the Police Tower, since it is home to the federal police.<\/p>\n

Office Park Mechelen and Coberna Semi-Industrieel are the next projects to get underway. The business park is strategically located off the Mechelen-Zuid motorway junction. Both buildings boast ample parking and a highly efficient gross-net floor area ratio. The facades are made of glass and natural stone, giving both buildings a timeless look.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2007<\/h3>
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Group Bernaerts starts to develop the brownfield site off the A12 motorway in Willebroek. With a surface area of more than 55 hectares and a floor area of almost 100,000 m\u00b2, the project is one of the largest public-private partnerships in the history of the Belgian property market. Solar panels are fitted to the roof of this state-of-the-art location \u2013 a very progressive move at the time. The project is also noteworthy for its accessibility; a roundabout is constructed to create a perfect link in the connection between Brussels and Antwerp. Due to the large-scale redevelopment, the considerable space available, and the strategic location on the A12, this industrial business park becomes a vital economic engine for the region. The building is inaugurated by former Flemish Prime Minister Kris Peeters.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2007<\/h3>
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Group Bernaerts starts to develop the brownfield site off the A12 motorway in Willebroek. With a surface area of more than 55 hectares and a floor area of almost 100,000 m\u00b2, the project is one of the largest public-private partnerships in the history of the Belgian property market. Solar panels are fitted to the roof of this state-of-the-art location \u2013 a very progressive move at the time. The project is also noteworthy for its accessibility; a roundabout is constructed to create a perfect link in the connection between Brussels and Antwerp. Due to the large-scale redevelopment, the considerable space available, and the strategic location on the A12, this industrial business park becomes a vital economic engine for the region. The building is inaugurated by former Flemish Prime Minister Kris Peeters.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2015<\/h3>
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The group withstands the biggest post-war financial crisis in recent years, with occupancy rates never dropping below 95%. This goes to show that Group Bernaerts is a mark of quality now more than ever, and that our strategy works. In addition to the site in Willebroek, we also develop a large number of semi-industrial units in Brecht, most of them destined for sale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

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<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>

2015<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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The group withstands the biggest post-war financial crisis in recent years, with occupancy rates never dropping below 95%. This goes to show that Group Bernaerts is a mark of quality now more than ever, and that our strategy works. In addition to the site in Willebroek, we also develop a large number of semi-industrial units in Brecht, most of them destined for sale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2018<\/h3>
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Group Bernaerts strengthens its management team. We consolidate and financially optimize our portfolio even further, now that most of our landmark developments are complete. We continue to develop relatively small-scale logistics and semi-industrial projects, but progress from a developer to an asset management company focusing on maintaining and growing our value.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2018<\/h3>
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Group Bernaerts strengthens its management team. We consolidate and financially optimize our portfolio even further, now that most of our landmark developments are complete. We continue to develop relatively small-scale logistics and semi-industrial projects, but progress from a developer to an asset management company focusing on maintaining and growing our value.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2021<\/h3>
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Earlier this year, the Board of Directors appointed Nico van Daele as Managing Director to observe the daily management of the company. Nico van Daele has been working for Group Bernaerts since 2007. As Property Manager, he expanded the \u2018Facility\u2019 department. For years he was the contact person for both customers and suppliers. Through his determination and know-how he will achieve the organization\u2019s goals together with the Board and his team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

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2021<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Earlier this year, the Board of Directors appointed Nico van Daele as Managing Director to observe the daily management of the company. Nico van Daele has been working for Group Bernaerts since 2007. As Property Manager, he expanded the \u2018Facility\u2019 department. For years he was the contact person for both customers and suppliers. Through his determination and know-how he will achieve the organization\u2019s goals together with the Board and his team.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2021<\/h3>
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It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Chairman of the Board and Founder of Group Bernaerts. Guido Bernaerts passed away on September 15th 2021. Our Management Team, together with our General Manager, will continue to manage Group Bernaerts in honour of Guido\u2019s legacy. His vision will forever be intertwined with the DNA of our company.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div>

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2021<\/h3>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Chairman of the Board and Founder of Group Bernaerts. Guido Bernaerts passed away on September 15th 2021. Our Management Team, together with our General Manager, will continue to manage Group Bernaerts in honour of Guido\u2019s legacy. His vision will forever be intertwined with the DNA of our company.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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