History

The French I3 VCP factory moves to a new building in Marly, France.

I3 Technologies is awarded as a top 25 global collaboration company.

The main factory of I3 Solutions in Diest moves to complete new facilities on the same campus.

CEO, Gert Van Erum, acquires the i3-Group shares of financial investor Sofindev, putting the firm entirely back in the hands of the family. More information on this topic can be found here.

The concentrate on core activity, I3 Group sells its Sign & Display division. This division was operating independently since 2008, and was designing, producing and marketing way finder systems

VANERUM Group officially launches the brand i3-Technologies. The i3-Technologies solutions may consist of hard- and software technology products integrated with classic visual communication products and accessories that aid the environment’s users in presenting and collaborating effectively. Hence the brand name i3 (iii): interactive, integrate, inspiring.

VANERUM Group announces the takeover of the Danish SIS Functional Furniture a/s, the Danish specialist in creative learning environments.

VANERUM Group also partners in 2012 with the capital investment group, Sofindev III. To accelerate and support further international growth, Gert Van Erum, shareholder of the VANERUM Group, reached an agreement with Sofindev III for an entry into the capital of the group. Following this transaction, Sofindev III becomes shareholder of the VANERUM Group together with Gert Van Erum.

VANERUM® Objekteinrichtungssystemen GmbH moves to a larger building with office and warehouse space in Bochum.

VANERUM® acquires the French and Danish “VCP” (visual communication products) business units of PolyVision. These are renamed VANERUM® Scandinavia and VANERUM® France.

The VANERUM® Group expands its production capacity of products for static communication, and taps into new geographic markets.

VANERUM® Group takes over sector colleague Belisia from Bilzen. Belisia is a separate business unit within the VANERUM® Group. VANERUM® Expands its portfolio of products and services with custom furniture for educational environments and additional production capacity and skills for woodworking.

In collaboration with Belgian designer Bram Boo, VANERUM® launches the interactive seating and collaboration concept Salsa, designed as a central meeting point for learning and work environments. In the same year, Bram Boo is named Belgian designer of the year.

In 2000 VSV, value-add distributor of audiovisual and interactive products, becomes part of the VANERUM® Group. This completes the go to market approach of the VANERUM® Group, as a supplier of audio visual equipment and furniture. Already in 2002, VSV opens a new distribution center and HQ in Wervik. A year later, VSV and VANERUM® open a new office and showroom in Houten, about 20 km from Utrecht. Late 2004, the VANERUM® Group acquires Limid bv, established in Zwolle and DDS bv, the exclusive importer and distributor for the Canadian brand SMART Technologies. In 2007, the VIS (Visual Information Systems) department becomes an independent business unit within the VANERUM® Group, known as VANERUM® Sign & Display. In 2008, VANERUM® buys the American company StelterPartners.

VANERUM® Sign & Display takes over Belgium SCS and its activities, and reinforces its position as a supplier of signage products and solutions. The shares of Fortis Private Equity in the VANERUM® Group are acquired by private investors.

For the first time in the history of VANERUM®, the annual turnover reaches more than € 50 million in 2009. VANERUM® acquires new premises and opens a new logistics center of 3.300m² next to the HQ in Diest. A new brand identity is incorporated for all the VANERUM Group business units.

During the 90s VANERUM® grows exponentially. The production capacity expands to include furniture such as chairs, desks and cabinets. This makes VANERUM® a total provider of “solutions for visual communication.” Until 1995 the focus is put on consolidating the product range, but in 1996 VANERUM® Netherlands BV is established, with administrative headquarters and showroom in Bochum, about 90km from Cologne. In 1997 VANERUM Objekteinrichtung ® GmbH is founded, with administrative headquarters and showroom in Bochum, about 90km from Cologne. In 1998, a new HQ is built in Diest to replace the old office building at the same location. At the same time, the production and warehouse space are expanded. In 1999, VANERUM® becomes an ISO 9001 certified company.

In 1980 a new department is set up that specializes in printing and assembly of signage: “Visual Information Systems”, abbreviated VIS. Somewhere along 1986, the revolutionary Easy Rail System is introduced. Signage and other modules slide on a rail, giving extra flexibility to a static whiteboard solution. The Easytex system is a flexible signage solution. VANERUM® acquires the Walloon company Elbe in 1989, a company specialized in the production of metal furniture. Also in 1989, VANERUM® opens a distribution center in Paal, for the product lines Easytex and Easy Rail.

In 1968, Robert Van Erum founds the sole proprietorship VANERUM®. The company is the exclusive Belgian distributor of classic green boards of the German brand Weyel®. The own production of Weyel® boards in Belgium starts in 1973. VANERUM becomes a limited company in 1978 and takes the first automated coil laminating line in use a year later. This laminating line is used to produce green blackboards.