The week in business: 30 January
Etihad Airways increases flights out of Brussels, Quilvest opens a branch in Ghent and an overview of the rest of the week's business news
Air – Etihad
Brewing – AB InBev
The Leuven-based beer group has taken over the Elysian Brewery in Seattle in the US state of Washington. The move will strengthen the company’s craft beers portfolio on the American market.
Banking – Quilvest
The Luxembourg-based assets management company has opened a private banking affiliate in Ghent in a bid to attract Flanders-based investors.
Cinema – Kinepolis
The Ghent-based cinema chain is to build a 10-screen complex in Breda, the Netherlands, expected to attract up to 450,000 people a year. The move comes weeks after the group decided on a similar project in Bretigny, near Paris. Kinepolis has ongoing building projects in Dordrecht and Utrecht.
Electronics – Electro Depot
The French electronics and large appliance group, affiliated to the Decathlon sport equipment retailer, plans to open its first stores on the local market this year. The brand’s sales policy is based on a no-frills low-cost concept with prices more than 20% lower than competitors.
Metalworks – Joris Ide
Joris Ide, which produces steel wall and roof panels and insulation materials and is based in Wingene, West Flanders, has been sold to the Irish Kingspan building products group for €350 million.
Property – Ackermans & Van Haaren
The Antwerp-based investment group is to acquire the 50% it doesn’t own in the 350,000 square-metre Tour & Taxis property in Brussels’ canal zone. The value of the entire development is estimated at €300 million.
Transport – Alstom-Bombardier
The Bruges-based rolling stock and railway coach manufacturer is poised to win a €3 billion contract to build double-decker trains for the national railway company NMBS. The new trains are to be delivered between 2017 and 2025.
