22 November 2001 -  Eurogentec has been awarded "Belgium's entrepreneur of the Year 2001"

Sart-Tilman, 22 November, 2001

Eurogentec has been proclaimed "Belgium's entrepreneur of the Year 2001" by the Belgian Federal Minister of Finance, Didier Reynders. Jean-Pierre Delwart (CEO) and Joseph Martial (Chairman of the Board of Directors) accepted this prestigious award during this year's event in Brussels.

Ernst&Young rewards every year a company with this prize in collaboration with Fortis Bank, L'Echo and the RTBF .

In 6 years, this award has become the most important reference of the Belgian business world. With this 6th edition, the organizers want to prove that even in less favourable economic circumstances, the companies continue to work for their growth with success. Eurogentec has been chosen by an independent jury amongst 6 finalists.

Innovation and financial stability

Eurogentec got the favour of the jury in relation to the five other finalists thanks to two decisive criteria: The most important factors were the use of cutting-edge technologies and the creation of new products based on creativity and innovation. Eurogentec has a strong growth combined with a financial independence and a solid profitability. Eurogentec fulfilled all criteria formulated by the jury and so was elected "Entrepreneur of the Year 2001".

6 finalists resulting from a strict selection

Every year, resulting of a quantitative and qualitative selection, 6 finalists are selected amongst a big group of companies with an important growth.

Only companies whose turnover, added value and personnel have shown a growth of at least 50 % between 1995 and 1999 were taken into account.

The company has to be settled in Belgium, to employ at least 30 persons and its administration must be the holder of at least 10 % of capital. The companies are submitted to an audit hold by Ernst&Young.

Ernst&Young then works out a final report which is submitted to the independent jury. This jury, presided by Jean-Jacques Verdickt (President of the Walloon Entrepreneur Union) is composed of industrial and academic representatives. In addition to the last year's winner, the company EVS Broadcast Equipment represented by Laurent Minguent, this year's jury was composed of Bernard Château (RTBF), Frédéric Dawans (DBAssociates), Yves Dykmans (GDB International), Jean-Claude Ettinger (Solvay Business School IACE-IADE), Marc Feard (Ariane II), Christian Franzen (Brussels Entrepreneur Union), Catherine Gernay (GRC Conseil), Dominique Michel (Agoria), Pierre Mottet (Iona Beam Applications) and Serge Peffer (Institut Supérieur Saint-Louis).

Eurogentec company profile

Eurogentec was founded in 1985 as a spin-off of the University of Liège. Eurogentec has organised its business around two principal activities: the custom production and sale of research tools with a high added value for the Life Sciences ( Genomics, Proteomics ), as well as research and development services for the biopharmaceutical industry. As an European leader in the field of Genomics and Proteomics, Eurogentec is well placed to accept the challenge resulting of the deciphering of the human genome, in particular its functional analysis. Eurogentec is actually the 6th most important producer of oligonucleotides world-wide.

Professor Joseph Martial, President of the Board of Directors, set up a Scientific Advisory Board, which brings together renowned scientists in different fields of activity. Coming from different European countries, they represent an inestimable innovation source for the Eurogentec Management.

Eurogentec's Headquarters are located in the Sart Tilman Science Park of Liège. The company has production facilities near Liege and one in Southampton. Eurogentec also has commercial subsidiaries in France, Germany, the Netherlands and a branch office in Switzerland.

Eurogentec's consolidated turnover grew from EUR 4,26 million with 69 persons in 1994 up to EUR 20,85 million with 200 persons in 2001 (year ended March 31). The ended financial year has shown a 30 % growth of Operating Profit and a doubling of the Current Profit before taxes. For the Financial Year 2001-2002, Eurogentec aims to reinforce its presence on the important Biotech markets: the United States and Japan. With regard to the last country, the first step has been done in August 2001 with the set-up of a joint venture which opens the door to the Japanese market.

For further information:

Jean-Pierre Delwart, CEO
Till Cussmann, Communication Officer
Parc Scientifique du Sart Tilman
4102 Seraing, Belgium
Tel: 32 (0)4 372 74 00 - Fax: 32 (0)4 365 16 04
info@eurogentec.com