Van Genechten Packaging Group named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2025
Turnhout, Belgium, December 3rd 2025 | Van Genechten Packaging Group (VGP) today announces being awarded the prestigious title of Entrepreneur of the Year 2025.
During the ceremony at Auditorium 2000 in Brussels, Van Genechten Packaging was presented with the award by Minister-President of Flanders Matthias Diependaele. The 31st edition of the Onderneming van het Jaar® was organised by EY, in collaboration with De Tijd, L'Echo, BNP Paribas Fortis and WorxInvest.
Van Genechten Packaging Group CEO Frank Ohle said of the award:
Winning EY Entrepreneur of the Year is an extraordinary honour and a powerful recognition of the passion, commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit of our entire Van Genechten Packaging team across Europe. Over the last five years, we have grown significantly, but we have always stayed true to our core values. This means putting people first and building strong partnerships with our customers, as well as investing for the long term. This award strengthens our confidence as we continue to shape a sustainable, innovative future for our industry.
“A textbook example of agile entrepreneurship”
Michèle Sioen, CEO of Sioen Industries and chair of the jury, explained why the Van Genechten Packaging Group was chosen:
After thorough deliberation and in complete consensus, the jury selected the ‘Onderneming van het Jaar®’ 2025 from four strong and diverse candidates. The winner stands out thanks to its leading European position in a competitive sector, with loyal master brands as customers and strong, profitable growth. The ambitious vision, based on operational excellence as a foundation and market-driven innovation, customer intimacy and end-to-end solutions as differentiation, creates sustainable value. As a worthy ambassador for entrepreneurship in Flanders, the title of Onderneming van het Jaar® 2025 goes to Van Genechten Packaging Group.”
Rudi Braes, Vice-Chair EY EMEIA, added: “This year's winner shows that lasting success cannot be taken for granted, even after almost two centuries. Van Genechten Packaging Group continues to adapt, remaining strong in the Belgian market and relevant on a global scale — a textbook example of agile entrepreneurship. Thanks to a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, this company proves that long-term vitality in our economy is not just a thing of the past, but a matter of courage and decisiveness today.”
Standing out in a strong field
EY started the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1995, with “the ambition to highlight the impressive achievements of Belgian companies”. Van Genechten Packaging joins the list of notable past winners, including Willy Naessens Group, Aertssen Group, Kinepolis, DEME, and Katoen Natie.
Shortlisted for the award alongside Van Genechten Packaging were environmental consultancy ABO-Group Environment, Equine Care Group, and Noord Natie.
Steven Claes, CEO EY Belgium, explained why Van Genechten Packaging stood out in this strong field:
The title of Onderneming van het Jaar® recognises companies that make a difference through vision, discipline and sustainable performance. It is a quality label that testifies to entrepreneurship that goes beyond mere figures. Van Genechten Packaging Group is an exemplary representative of this this year. With almost two centuries of craftsmanship, the company continues to grow, innovate and create value in a sector that is constantly changing.”
Van Genechten Packaging Group Chairman Frederic de Somer said: "The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a welcome recognition of the hard work, dedication, and vision of our groupwide team. Every day, we collaborate, innovate, and differentiate in pursuit of delivering Magic in the Making for our customers. We also thank our wonderful customers, partners and suppliers. Without their inspiration and continued support, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
The full jury consisted of:
Michèle Sioen (Chairman of the Jury), CEO Sioen Industries | Marion De Bruyne, Dean of Vlerick Business School | Peter De Groote, Editor-in-Chief of De Tijd | Michel Delbaere, Managing Director of CROP’S| Rudi De Winter, CEO X-FAB | Eddy Duquenne, CEO Kinepolis | Jurgen Ingels, Managing Director Smartfin Capital | Nadia Jansen, CEO Jansen Building Company | Guido Vanherpe, CEO La Lorraine Bakery Group | Max Jadot, Chairman of the Board, BNP Paribas Fortis
For all press enquiries
Heidi Vanspauwen
Group Marketing & Communications Director
sales@vangenechten.com
Raadsherenstraat 2
B-2300 Turnhout
Tel: 0032 493 099 362
About Van Genechten Packaging Group
Where people, brands and folding carton meet is where the magic happens at VGP, every single time. Van Genechten Packaging (VGP), a leading independent European packaging specialist with more than 190 years of history and about €500 million in annual revenue. VGP operates across 14 converting sites, an extrusion site, a rigid box centre, and two fulfillment locations in 9 European countries. Renowned for its "people first" approach and customer-centric collaboration, VGP delivers a wide range of packaging solutions, including printed high-end folding cartons and offset laminated corrugated board, to the FMCG sector. Specialists in the development, production, and logistics of high-quality short-term cardboard and corrugated cardboard displays for the Point-of-Sale (POS), VGP combines proven packaging expertise with specialized display solution capabilities to loyal customers and partners all over Europe.
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