BESIX
Belgian international construction, engineering, infrastructure, property development and concessions group.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
BESIX is a Belgian construction and engineering group headquartered in Brussels. Its roots date to 1909, when the Stulemeijer family established Société Belge des Bétons, commonly abbreviated as SBB. The company developed from a Belgian contractor into an international group active across building construction, civil engineering, marine works, infrastructure, environmental installations, real estate development and public-private-partnership concessions. The group’s early growth was closely connected with reconstruction. After the First World War, SBB worked on Belgian ports and waterways damaged by the conflict. During the 1920s it expanded into other European markets, particularly France and Spain, and from the late 1940s developed an African presence. A major international turning point came in 1966 with the creation of Six Construct, a subsidiary focused on large projects in the Middle East. Through Six Construct, the group became involved in the rapid development of the Arabian Peninsula, especially the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. BESIX later broadened its scope beyond contracting. It entered real estate development in 1988, initially through Betonimmo, which was subsequently developed as BESIX RED. The property business expanded in Western Europe, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Luxembourg. The group also built capabilities in specialized construction and infrastructure through subsidiaries such as BESIX Infra, Jacques Delens, Vanhout, Wust, Lux TP, Franki Foundations, Socogetra and BESIX Unitec. In the Middle East, Six Construct remains a central operating platform, while BESIX Watpac provides a significant Australian presence. The group has also operated in hospitality through A-Stay. In 2004, senior managers, supported by Orascom, completed a leveraged management buy-out. SBB was removed from the stock market and renamed BESIX Group. Johan Beerlandt, who had joined the business in 1974, became chief executive and oversaw a period of substantial expansion. Reported turnover grew from approximately €850 million in 2004 to €3.1 billion in 2011. The company marked its centenary in 2009, the year the Burj Khalifa opened. BESIX constructed the tower in a consortium with Arabtec and Samsung Engineering & Construction. BESIX’s project portfolio includes landmark high-rise buildings, public facilities, transport infrastructure, water and wastewater plants, waste-treatment facilities, marine works and sports venues. Recognized projects include the Burj Khalifa, buildings associated with the European Parliament in Brussels, the Carpe Diem tower in Paris-La Défense and major facilities across the Gulf region. More recent announced or awarded projects have included the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, the Saint-Denis–Pleyel station for the Grand Paris Express, the Rail Baltica Central Station, the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge in Brisbane and major towers in Africa and the Middle East. Sustainability and technical innovation are significant parts of the group’s positioning. BESIX participates in drinking-water treatment, wastewater reuse, waste-to-energy and recycling projects, renewable-energy-related infrastructure and hydropower development. Its engineering teams support complex structural, marine and civil-engineering work, while its digital construction capabilities include Building Information Modelling and 3D concrete printing. In 2019, a BESIX team produced what was described as the world’s largest 3D-printed façade in Dubai. The company also works on smart-building systems and circular-construction initiatives. The group operates internationally while maintaining a strong Belgian base. It has signed labour-standard agreements with Building and Wood Workers’ International and its European Works Council, belongs to the United Nations Global Compact and has been involved in initiatives concerning migrant-worker welfare in the Middle East. BESIX also runs the BESIX Foundation, which supports proj…
History
BESIX began in 1909 as Société Belge des Bétons, founded by the Stulemeijer family in Belgium. Its first major expansion followed the First World War, when the company participated in rebuilding ports and waterways. During the 1920s it extended its construction activity into France, Spain and other European markets, and from the end of the 1940s developed operations in Africa. The group’s international profile changed materially in 1966, when it established Six Construct to pursue major development projects in the Middle East. The subsidiary became a principal vehicle for work in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and the wider Arabian Peninsula. BESIX added real estate development in 1988 through Betonimmo, later known as BESIX RED, and subsequently expanded that activity across Western Europe. A decisive ownership and identity change occurred in 2004. Thirteen senior managers, with support from Orascom, carried out a leveraged management buy-out. The company was delisted and adopted the name BESIX Group. Johan Beerlandt, a long-serving executive, became chief executive. The group expanded considerably during the following years, with reported turnover rising from about €850 million in 2004 to €3.1 billion in 2011. BESIX celebrated its centenary in 2009. That year also coincided with the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, delivered by BESIX together with Arabtec and Samsung Engineering & Construction. The project became the group’s most internationally visible achievement and reinforced its reputation for technically demanding high-rise construction. In 2017, Rik Vandenberghe replaced Beerlandt as chief executive, with Beerlandt becoming chairman. BESIX expanded in Australia in 2018 through the acquisition of Watpac and also acquired several European businesses, including the interior-decoration specialist Flamant. In 2019, it publicized work in digital fabrication, including a large 3D-printed façade in Dubai, and announced participation in the Rail Baltica Central Station project. In 2020, it was associated with the Saint-Denis–Pleyel station for the Grand Paris Express. Pierre Sironval took over the chief executive role in 2021. Around the same period, BESIX was associated with major announced projects including the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, a hybrid-timber building in Amsterdam, a large waste-to-energy facility in the United Arab Emirates and Tower F in Abidjan. The group has also participated in the Mohammed VI Tower in Morocco, the Nachtigal hydropower project in Cameroon and water-treatment infrastructure in West Africa. Alongside construction, BESIX has developed engineering, concessions, property and environmental capabilities. Its activities include water treatment, wastewater reuse, waste-to-energy, recycling, hydropower, transport infrastructure, marine works and smart-building systems. The group has promoted BIM certification, internal engineering and open-innovation projects such as plant-based air-treatment concepts. Its labour and sustainability commitments include an international framework agreement with BWI, participation in the UN Global Compact and initiatives addressing migrant-worker welfare in the Middle East. The BESIX Foundation, established in 2009, supports environmental, educational, housing and sustainable-construction projects.
- 2021
Pierre Sironval becomes chief executive
[1]Pierre Sironval succeeded Rik Vandenberghe as chief executive of BESIX Group.
- 2020
ISO 19650-2 BIM certification
[1]BESIX Engineering was reported as receiving certification to the international BIM information-management standard ISO 19650-2.
- 2019
3D-printed façade and Rail Baltica work
[1]The group publicized a large 3D-printed façade in Dubai and announced participation in the Rail Baltica Central Station project.
- 2018
Expansion in Australia
[1]BESIX acquired Watpac through a public takeover bid, strengthening its Australian construction operations.
- 2009
Centenary and Burj Khalifa opening
[1]BESIX marked its 100th anniversary as the Burj Khalifa, built with Arabtec and Samsung Engineering & Construction, opened in Dubai.
- 2004
Management buy-out and BESIX renaming
[1]Senior managers supported by Orascom completed a leveraged buy-out; the group was delisted and renamed BESIX Group.
- 1988
Entry into real estate development
[1]The group diversified into property development through Betonimmo, later developed as BESIX RED.
- 1966
Six Construct established
[1]BESIX created Six Construct to pursue major development and construction projects in the Middle East.
- 1909
Company founded as Société Belge des Bétons
[1]The Stulemeijer family established the Belgian construction company that later became BESIX Group.
Products and positioning
An internationally active, privately owned engineering and construction group positioned around complex projects, integrated technical expertise, infrastructure delivery and sustainability-oriented built-environment solutions.
Construction
Building construction
BESIX delivers commercial, institutional, residential, cultural, hospitality and high-rise buildings. The group is particularly associated with technically complex landmark structures, including the Burj Khalifa and major public buildings. Its capabilities cover design coordination, structural construction, fit-out interfaces, engineering and project delivery across multiple international markets.
Infrastructure
Civil, marine and transport infrastructure
This activity includes ports, waterways, bridges, rail stations, roads, tunnels and other civil works. BESIX combines construction with internal engineering expertise and has participated in projects such as Rail Baltica Central Station, the Grand Paris Express and the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge.
Environmental engineering
Environmental and water infrastructure
BESIX builds and operates infrastructure for drinking-water production, wastewater treatment, water reuse, waste treatment, recycling and waste-to-energy. Its environmental portfolio includes projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including major water-treatment and thermal waste-recycling facilities.
Property development · 1988
Real estate development
Through BESIX RED, the group develops property principally in Western Europe. The business complements the construction operation by combining development, planning and delivery capabilities in residential, commercial and mixed-use projects.
Engineering services
Engineering and digital construction
BESIX’s engineering teams conduct design and technical studies for skyscrapers, marine structures and civil works. The group has invested in BIM, smart-building systems, open innovation and 3D concrete printing, supporting more integrated and data-driven project delivery.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Belgian national football sponsorship
Belgium
BESIX became an official sponsor of Belgium’s men’s national football team, and also supported the women’s and youth national teams.
Outcome. The sponsorship continued until 2023 and increased the group’s visibility among Belgian audiences.
Brand decisions
2021
Chief executive successionOtherBackground
BESIX changed its executive leadership after Rik Vandenberghe’s period as chief executive.
Action taken
Pierre Sironval became chief executive, while Johan Beerlandt continued as chairman.
Aftermath
The group continued pursuing international construction, infrastructure, environmental and property projects.
2018
Acquisition of WatpacM&ABackground
BESIX sought to strengthen its construction and infrastructure presence in Australia.
Action taken
The group acquired all shares of Watpac through a public takeover bid.
Aftermath
Watpac became part of BESIX’s Australian operating platform, later associated with BESIX Watpac.
2004
Leveraged management buy-out and delistingM&ABackground
Senior managers, supported by Orascom, sought to take the group private and reshape its ownership.
Action taken
Thirteen senior managers completed a leveraged management buy-out; the company was delisted and renamed BESIX Group.
Aftermath
The private group subsequently expanded internationally and reported substantial turnover growth during the following years.
Recent events
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