Desmet Family

EY Family Enterprise Award of Excellence Class of 2023, Belgium

Owners, Decospan, Belgium

The Desmet family believes that wood not only contributes to beautiful, warm living but also improves the quality of life.

Decospan, a Belgium-based family business founded in 1978, was created by Urbain Desmet as a spin-off of Menotex, a flax panel manufacturing enterprise. Decospan specializes in floorings and veneer products, such as wall coverings, kitchen fronts and furniture components. For three generations, the company has been developing, producing and marketing wood products. Today, with nine production sites and more than 900 employees, it is the European leader in veneer processing.

Decospan believes that the specifier, processor and builder all share responsibility for turning the renewable raw materials into the final product. 

In 1980, Decospan opened its first set of exports and sales offices in the UK, Germany and France. Large-scale production of customized veneer furniture components started in 1997. In 2009, the third generation of the Desmet family entered the business, focusing on developing a brand strategy and shaping a proactive approach.

Awarded as an ambassador of the EY Family Enterprise Award of Excellence 2023 for Belgium, the Desmet family believes that wood not only contributes to beautiful, warm living and work interiors but also improves the quality of life. Committed to spreading the passion for wood, Decospan's long-standing reputation and relations are built on honesty and trust. They also firmly believe in fostering a culture where entrepreneurship and initiative are encouraged and are key to delivering quality consistently.

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