The week in business: 19 August
Van Hool to build new assembling factories, Danone acquires Alpro and an overview of the rest of the week's business news
Transport – Van Hool
Food – Alpro
The Ghent-based producer of soya-based food and drinks has been acquired by France’s Danone group as part of the €10 billion acquisition of the US WhiteWave Foods, Alpro’s parent company.
Events – Artexis
The Brussels-based events and exhibitions organiser has acquired the Dutch Evenementhal, organiser of some 80 events in the Netherlands and operator of three exhibition venues. Artexis already operates the Ghent and Antwerp Expo centres and has extensive activities in Sweden.
Clothing – Sioen
The manufacturer of protective and technical gear, based in Aardooie, West Flanders, has signed a contract to supply 25,000 jackets and trousers to French firefighters over the next four years. The fire brigades of Paris and Marseille, for instance, will be using Sioen-made equipment.
Supermarkets – Colruyt
The discount supermarket chain, based in Halle, has sold its French Pro à Pro affiliate to the German Metro group. Pro à Pro is specialised in supplies to professional users such as canteens and much of the Horeca sector in France.
Imaging – Agfa
The Mortsel-based affiliate of Agfa-Gevaert has signed a €700 million contract with the US ministry of defence for digital imaging and picture archiving. The deal, to run for five years with an option for an additional five, follows a long-term relationship with US authorities.
Metals – Corialis
The designer and producer of aluminium profiles systems, based in Lokeren, East Flanders, has acquired South Africa’s Hinges & Hardware company to expand its activities in the area.
