They were born here, grew up here, and continue to promote Brussels far beyond its borders. Three companies each tell their own story of what it means to be an entrepreneur in Brussels.
In the streets and workshops of Brussels, history is being written over and over again. Some companies take root here and become cultural landmarks as well as economic pillars. Beci is a privileged witness to this: for more than three centuries, the organization has been supporting entrepreneurs in the capital. Some companies are perfect examples of this. We come across them in our daily lives, we are sometimes familiar with their products, but we often forget how deeply their history is linked to that of the city. Today, Beci invites you to discover three companies that are very much part of Brussels.
Delvaux, Brussels handcrafted
When Charles Delvaux opened his shop in Brussels in 1829, he probably had no idea that the leather goods he sold there would become a global benchmark. Founded a year before the proclamation of the Kingdom of Belgium, Maison Delvaux was built around leather, invention, and the constant search for new forms.
Over the decades, the company has moved through the ages without ever breaking the thread of leather. In 1883, it was awarded the title of official supplier to the Royal Court, a recognition that cemented Delvaux's place in the country's history. At the beginning of the 20th century, it filed its first patents for handbags, keeping pace with changes in customs and lifestyles.
Although the company has undergone transformations, notably with takeovers that have enabled it to keep pace with contemporary design, it has never denied its Brussels origins. Today, Delvaux is the oldest leather goods company in the world, with boutiques all over the globe. However, it was in Brussels that its story began, and it is here that its historic workshop continues to keep the craft alive.
In 2025, the company celebrated 40 years of membership of Beci, an anniversary that speaks volumes about its loyalty to the Brussels economic fabric.
Didden, the taste of Brussels
A few steps away from the bustling avenues, some Brussels stories begin between pots and pans. Didden's is one of them. Born in a family kitchen, the company has made a name for itself in the world of sauces, confits, and condiments, cultivating a particular attention to flavors and culinary traditions.
While Didden has successfully expanded internationally, it has never lost its Brussels flavor. Formats are adapted, recipes are modified to comply with local requirements, and packaging proudly displays its Belgian origin. Didden is Brussels on a plate: direct,
warm, and no-nonsense. A company that moves with the times without losing sight of its history, and one that Beci is preparing to meet up with in person (we'll tell you all about it in our next issue!).
D’Ieteren, Brussels on the move
Even older on paper, it is difficult to talk about entrepreneurship in Brussels without mentioning D’Ieteren. Founded in 1805 by Jean-Joseph D’Ieteren as a coachbuilder’s workshop, the company has undergone more than two centuries of transformation, always based in Brussels. From horse-drawn carriages to motorized vehicles, it has never stopped reinventing itself.
In the 20th century, the family business accompanied the rise of the automobile, notably by becoming the importer of iconic brands. Today, the group develops solutions related to mobility in the broadest sense: car sharing, bicycles, taxis, and tools to facilitate multimodal travel.
In a city like Brussels, where travel is part of everyday life, this diversity of approaches reflects how D'Ieteren has evolved with its territory. As its CEO Denis Gorteman points out, its roots in Brussels go hand in hand with its commitment to Beci (a structural partner since 2025), as the development of the Region remains inseparable from its own future.
The D'Ieteren Gallery is a museum tracing the history of the company and the automobile, inaugurated for the first time in November 1988 by Roland D'Ieteren. © Nicolas van Haaren.
Brussels through the ages
Three companies, three worlds, one way of living in Brussels. Here, entrepreneurship is built with particular attention to time, actions, and customs. Delvaux, Didden, and D'Ieteren are examples of this.
For more than three centuries, Beci has been supporting these journeys and observing what Brussels has to offer: a place to create, evolve, and pass on knowledge. It is written in workshops, kitchens, and offices, across generations. Perhaps this is where Brussels' true strength lies: allowing stories to live on.
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