Willy Naessens invests in East Flanders family start-up KWANTZ

The well-known industrial builder Willy Naessens is investing in the East Flanders family start-up KWANTZ, which is marketing a unique concrete product developed at Ugent with its ultra-strong concrete. KWANTZ is creating a new type of stone that trades identically as marble, composite and ceramic, with applications in interiors such as kitchens, bathrooms, staircases and flooring. "I believe very hard in this project and the team of enthusiastic entrepreneurs behind KWANTZ," says Willy Naessens.

With the capital injection, the family business KWANTZ, until recently Dils&Mander, can start producing its ultra-strong concrete on an industrial scale. "Our concrete is the result of five years of research at Ugent's Faculty of Engineering and Architecture," said business manager Jeroen Dils, who spent three years further perfecting the product. "This resulted in a new type of concrete that possesses improved properties and allows for sleeker design. Durability, high strength and wide application possibilities are our signposts. The thin sheet material is also natural and even, minimizing loss of space indoors. In a future where we will all be living smaller, that is a huge asset."

Until recently, KWANTZ mainly produced artisanally, but this will change with the participation of the Willy Naessens Group. "The financial resources and experience of the Willy Naessens Group allow us to industrialize and further professionalize our production," explains Steffi Dils, marketing manager and sister of managing director Jeroen. "At KWANTZ, we believe very much in our innovative concrete products. Our recent name change from Dils&Mander to KWANTZ underlines those international ambitions."

Dirk Deroose, CEO of the Willy Naessens Group, is also already convinced. "The combination of two young entrepreneurs with our experience is going to give fireworks," says Dirk. "Everything starts with passion and the desire to do business. I see those two things reflected in Jeroen and Steffi. The combination of their unique concrete with our experience guarantees a great story. In any case, I believe in this very hard."