WAAK celebrates 60th anniversary!
In 2025, WAAK proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary. Since our founding in 1965, we have established ourselves as a trusted name in industrial subcontracting, services, and inclusive employment for people who have difficulties accessing the regular labour market. In the presence of the press and WAAK’s founder, Gerard Maes, and our former General Directors, our (current) General Director, Tim Vannieuwenhuyse, officially kicked off this anniversary year.
Kick-off 60 years of WAAK
Today, General Manager Tim Vannieuwenhuyse proudly kicked off the jubilee year ‘60 Years of WAAK’: "60 may not be a traditional milestone like 50 or 100, but it stands as a symbol of reliability, durability and stability. These 60 years have laid strong foundations that continue to support WAAK today. Thanks to this roots, WAAK is able to stay resilient in an ever-changing and volatile world."
Six pillars of growth
According to Tim Vannieuwenhuyse, there are six strategic key moments and choices that have shaped WAAK and continue to define our direction today:
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Establishing operations among businesses in Kortrijk North’s business park: These neighbouring companies were our first customers, and we still collaborate with many of them today. This provided a solid foundation for the activities we carry out.
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Choosing a broad, international market focus: Germany, after Flanders, has become WAAK’s second-largest market, and in cable assembly, we particularly target the Scandinavian HVAC industry. Our other departments are also increasingly focusing on international markets.
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Entering the automotive industry: WAAK is committed to offering its customers the highest possible quality. Our pursuit of excellence and the development of advanced quality systems have made us a trusted supplier for the automotive industry, where ‘zero-defect standards’ are crucial for safety. This expertise continues to benefit us today in the development of air conditioning, solar shading, and heat pump cables, truck components and enclosures for EV charging stations.
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Diversifying activities: WAAK offers four distinct activities: cable assembly, metal assembly, plastics assembly, and B2B services (local activities, such as cleaning service or green care). Diversifying our activities strengthens our resilience against economic instability.
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Investing in innovation and technology: WAAK established an 'Expertise Centre' (i.e. innovation and technology development centre) for this purpose. They elaborate new technologies and make difficult work manageable for our employees. This allows us to choose more complex assignments with a higher added value.
- Investing in the training of our employees: Last year, WAAK established a training centre for our employees (people who have difficulties accessing the labour market). Better training not only leads to products of higher quality, but also empowers our employees, which enhances their opportunities, both professionally and personally.
An international and modern social enterprise
Thanks to these strategic decisions, WAAK has evolved from a ‘sheltered workshop’ with four employees into a modern, internationally active social enterprise with four dedicated business activities, employing 400 staff members, and 1,700 employees (with difficulties accessing the regular labour market).
Tribute to WAAK's stakeholders
This year, WAAK will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a major company event (music festival and open house). Through these festivities, we aim to honour all stakeholders who have contributed to our growth—employees, customers, suppliers, government partners, and social partners.
