CIT Blaton named Ambassador of the Family Business Award of Excellence^® 2026

• During a festive gala evening at the Event Lounge in Brussels, CIT Blaton received the prestigious Family Business Award of Excellence^® 2026. The award, presented by jury chair Guido Vanherpe, CEO of La Lorraine Bakery Group, recognizes CIT Blaton’s exceptional ability to combine family values, professional governance and sustainable value creation.
• The three other finalists – Ceratec, Valckenier and Vyncke – A Family of Companies – also deserve recognition as outstanding examples of Belgian family entrepreneurship.
• The Family Business Award of Excellence^® is an initiative of EY, in collaboration with BNP Paribas Fortis, De Tijd & L’Echo, FBN Belgium, GUBERNA and WorxInvest.
   

A theme rooted in today’s challenges

The 12th edition of the Family Business Award centered on “Family Values versus External Management”, a theme that captures the contemporary reality faced by many family businesses.

CIT Blaton convinced the jury with its mature governance structure, a strong board with independent members, and a structured succession plan, in which the fifth and sixth generation lead the company together with external specialists.
 

Voices from the jury and EY

Jury chair Guido Vanherpe

“CIT Blaton is a remarkable example of how a family business with more than 160 years of history succeeds in harmoniously connecting family values, professional governance and sustainable growth. Its mature governance, with a clear separation between ownership and management, and its deliberate preparation for succession demonstrate exceptional maturity. The combination of respect for the past and a clear vision for the future makes CIT Blaton a role model for family businesses in Belgium.
We also congratulate the other laureates — Ceratec, Valckenier and Vyncke – A Family of Companies — each of whom demonstrates the strength and diversity of family enterprises that enrich our economy.”

Francis Boelens, Partner at EY and responsible for Family Business

“Family businesses are the quiet force behind our economy. They combine deeply rooted values with an entrepreneurial spirit that spans generations. CIT Blaton is a textbook example of how tradition, perseverance and innovation go hand in hand to deliver sustainable growth.”

Eric Van Hoof, Partner at EY

“The combination of family cohesion and external expertise creates a powerful dynamic that ensures innovation and continuity. CIT Blaton shows how professional governance and family values reinforce each other in creating long‑term value. The other laureates equally demonstrate how tradition and modern management strengthen one another to deliver sustainable value.”
 

About CIT Blaton

CIT Blaton is a family business active in the art of building for more than 160 years. The company stems from a Belgian entrepreneurial dynasty whose expertise has been passed down through six generations.

Over time, CIT Blaton has grown into a leading construction company in Belgium and Luxembourg, driven by technical innovation — such as the introduction of Vibro piles in 1927 — and landmark achievements including the first continuous prestressed concrete bridge over the Meuse in 1949.

Founded as CITEB in 1954 and renamed CIT Blaton in 1988, the company contributed to iconic projects such as the Expo 58 pavilions, the Marnix complex and the North Galaxy towers.

Today, CIT Blaton remains a market leader with over €400 million in revenue, more than 600 employees, and a strong identity built on quality, innovation and a long tradition of sustainable construction.
 

The jury

The winner was selected by an independent jury chaired by Guido Vanherpe (CEO, La Lorraine Bakery Group and 2016 Ambassador).
Jury members:

• Isabel Albers, Editor-in-Chief, De Tijd & L’Echo
• Bernard Haspeslagh, Director, Ardo
• Dr. Raphaëlle Mattart, academic expert in family entrepreneurship
• Prof. Dr. Anneleen Michiels, Associate Professor Finance & Family Business, UHasselt
• Caroline Thijssen, Partner at Seewhy
   

A tradition of excellence

Previous Ambassadors include:
Camino Group (2025), VPK Group (2024), Decospan (2023), Spaas Kaarsen (2022), Cartamundi (2020), Duvel Moortgat (2019), SIPEF (2018), Vandersanden Group (2017), La Lorraine Bakery Group (2016), Reynaers Aluminium (2015) and Cosucra (2014).

More information about the Family Business Award of Excellence^® can be found here:
Family Business Award of Excellence^® | EY - Belgique
Family Business Award of Excellence^® | EY - België