GfK Acquires Stake in Belgium's Significant

Acquiring a 51% stake in Significant has given wholly owned GfK subsidiary, Intomart GfK Belgium NV, the majority in the Belgian company. Through this move, GfK has further expanded its range of research services in the Media and Ad Hoc Research divisions, making the group one of the top 5 market research companies in Belgium.

The company, which will trade under the name Significant GfK from 1 July 2002, achieved total sales of EUR 3.4 million and has 34 employees. Significant GfK has been the fastest growing company in Belgium over the last decade. For Kris Vloeberghs and Johan Schockaert, the joint owners and Managing Directors, this is the main reason for deciding to join the GfK Group. 'In order for the company's growth to continue at the same rate, we need the support of a major market research group. This will enable us to expand our capacity and enhance our offering and provide our clients, who are increasingly operating in global markets, with the services they require for their national and international marketing. With its comprehensive worldwide network, the GfK Group is the ideal partner for us.'

Significant GfK will form part of the Belgian arm of the Intomart GfK Group, which specializes in Media and Ad Hoc Research in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Other Belgian companies in the group include Audimétrie and Aspemar GfK and in the Netherlands, where the group's headquarters are located, Intomart BV and Adware Media Solutions BV also belong to the group. Commenting on the acquisition, Leendert van Meerem, Managing Director of the Intomart GfK Group, said: 'Significant GfK is a dynamic partner, who will enable us to offer an excellent service to clients in the media and ad hoc research sectors. Together with Significant we are one of the top market research companies in Belgium.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.