Action, camera, lights! Welcome to Auvicom, a company deeply rooted in family tradition. For five decades, this Halle-based company has been a trusted partner for businesses and organizations in the rental, sale, and repair of professional video, audio, and lighting equipment. What started in 1974 as a modest sole proprietorship has grown into one of Belgium’s largest audiovisual companies today.

CEO Bart Van Den Daele is exceptionally proud: “Nearly fifty years ago, my father started selling audio systems to individuals in his spare time. In the early 1980s, we began renting video projectors to businesses in partnership with Barco. Over the following years, we gradually expanded our customer base and transformed many commercial spaces into versatile meeting rooms. In the 1990s, we started renting audiovisual equipment, which once again fueled the growth of our company.”

“Today, Auvicom’s business model is built on three pillars,” Bart explains. “We offer our clients the ability to equip their meeting rooms and auditoriums with the latest audiovisual equipment, both for sale and rental. The third pillar is our in-house maintenance and repair service, staffed by specialized technicians.”

With a team of experienced employees led by Bart, Peter, and Rani, Auvicom stands strong. “In the mid-90s, we had a modest team of about six employees,” Bart recalls. “Thanks to a few acquisitions, we now have around fifty employees. This translates into a wealth of technical and business expertise that our clients greatly value.”

Bart acknowledges that working with family members isn’t always easy. “Because of our different personalities, we sometimes disagree when making operational or strategic decisions. But it’s often from these discussions that the best business ideas emerge. At the same time, we know each other inside out, which fosters open communication. We try to separate work from personal life as much as possible during family gatherings, although this isn’t always easy in practice!”

Peter Van Den Daele, Rani Van Den Daele, Bart Van Den Daele

Ten years ago, Bart drafted a family charter to manage the family business more effectively. He did so in consultation with his accountant. “With this charter, I wanted to establish clear internal agreements and guidelines,” he explains. “For example, should members of the third generation gain external experience before joining the company? And which external advisors can they consult in case of strategic issues?”

According to Bart, a sustainable business approach is one of the key themes Auvicom is strongly focused on. “We invest heavily in inclusive employment, with a team composed of people from various nationalities. Ecologically, we have a company fleet powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and LED lighting in our offices, among other initiatives. We also actively promote solar energy. Additionally, we have long emphasized our repair and maintenance services, so we can all move from a disposable culture to reusing equipment.”