From small family business to integrated group counting 7 construction companies.
Introduction
Democo Group is a cluster of 7 vertically integrated companies with all the necessary knowledge and expertise on board to develop, build, finish and maintain building projects from A to Z. In 40 years’ time we have developed ourselves into a genuine reference in the Belgian market.
Democo Group originated from contracting company Democo, which expanded as technical companies as well as finishing and development businesses started to join the family. For our clients, this means that we are able to offer the complete range of services required to tackle their construction projects from start to finish. We focus on larger, more complex construction ventures across all sectors.
For our companies, the presence of the group context means that they can focus 100% on their field of expertise, within the safety of a framework that offers support, reliability and economies of scale. Centralised services strengthen their operational capabilities and they benefit from the synergy between them and their fellow enterprises. The sister companies’ collaboration goes far beyond a traditional contractor-subcontractor relationship: our businesses actively work together from the get-go, and therefore fully grasp how they can best complement each other, without losing valuable information or time.
Founder Cyriel Demot
Cyriel Demot was 56 when, in 1977, he was dismissed from his role as CEO at a construction company following a dispute within management. All 800 workers, most of whom Cyriel knew by name, stood by his side and spontaneously put down their tools – to no avail.
As a father to 3 young children, Cyriel did not lose courage: he sold off his apartment by the seaside for seed capital and together with Frans Houben and Mario Longhi started his own construction company: Democo. Cyriel’s loyalty, integrity and respect for customers and workers paid off: no more than a year later, the company had a headcount of 80 employees and a considerable number of former clients had followed. In the next years, Democo continued to show rapid growth: Cyriel was a strong believer in vertical integration and was keen to work as one company as much as possible. Thanks to this approach, many construction partners became colleagues and the company gathered further expertise in the areas of finishing, technical services and project development.
People & planet
At Democo Group, we’re building for the future of people and environment. We are aware of the great responsibility this entails and continuously invest in the growth of our employees, our techniques and our processes.
We move and evolve with the world in which we build, looking for sustainable added value in our projects – for today and tomorrow. We build and work ethically and with respect for each other, our customers, our society and our planet. Integrity and humanity are always our first priority.
With a clear strategy for sustainability, we continue to challenge ourselves and our techniques, focusing on the well-being of society and the environment, progressive personnel policies and integrity of management.
Engagement
As a group of companies, we have a responsibility not only to our employees and their families, but also to the wider society.
In line with our mission “All experts, stronger together”, we also support external organizations and charities that are directly committed to people, society and the planet. Through these experts, we convert our commitment into a strong social impact.
We support selected organizations on a long-term basis with services, efforts or resources. The commitment of our employees is extremely important, as they are committed to these causes just like us. That is why we can honestly say: these organizations are Valued by Democo Group!
You can read more about it on our sponsor page.
1945
Daeninck & Deweerdt is founded as a specialist in heating installations for private homes.
1977
At the age of 56, Cyriel Demot together with Frans Houben and Mario Longhi starts his own construction company.
“Democo Algemene Ondernemingen” is born, setting in motion a distinct and integrated vision on real estate.
1982
Acquisition Vandenbriele
The acquisition of sanitation expert Vandenbriele is the first step towards what will become the future Democo Group: the ambition to deliver better, faster and more efficient work for end customers through vertical integration has been kickstarted.
1985
Founding of AEW
Eddy Noben founds ‘Algemene Electriciteitswerken’ (AEW – General Electricity Works). Under his leadership, we are able to grow into a group of around 150 employees and three companies.
1986
Founding of Deholi & Deconstruct
Democo builds centralised workshops on the Centrum Zuid industrial estate in Houthalen.
1994
Founding of Democo Poland
1997
Second generation at the helm
2000
Construction new offices Democo Poland
Founding of DMI Vastgoed, predecessor to Ciril
As a construction company, Democo comes across a great many opportunities within the real estate sector and develops a strong network of partners. To be able to further expand on this, DMI Vastgoed is established as a real estate company and project developer. From the get-go, DMI Vastgoed actively focuses on inner city developments with significant attention to the surrounding areas and the people who live there.
2002
Founding of Democo Group holding and buyout Mario Longhi
2008
Acquisition AEW
Opening branches in Antwerp & Brussels
AEW is taken in under the umbrella of Democo Group. The group provides continuity and growth for AEW.
2013
Founding of Demtec Services & AEW Security
Demtec services is established as the reference for technical maintenance. Today, thanks to its shared knowledge as a subsidiary within Democo Group, Demtec is an ideal partner from the first stages in construction to the final maintenance phase.
AEW Security is a partner for safeguarding professional environments thanks to its bespoke offer of monitoring and security systems.
2016
Founding of Democo Portugal (DPCO)
Acquisition Daeninck & Deweerdt
Daeninck & Deweerdt becomes a granddaughter of Democo, through technical specialist Vandenbriele. Through this acquisition, Daeninck & Deweerdt becomes part of a group with a strong presence across Flanders.
2018
Founding of regional office East-Flanders in Ghent
2019
Democo Group introduces a new and uniform corporate identity across all its companies, with a fresh logo.
We are stronger together, joint as a group of companies. Thanks to our new corporate identity, the sense of unity we achieve internally through our collaboration and management, now shines through to the outside world as well. We all sail under the same flag.
DMI Vastgoed becomes Ciril
The name emphasises what we do: we develop the city real estate of tomorrow - while keeping in mind our experience and history, starting with our founder Cyriel Demot. Ciril is responsible for project development within Democo Group - a highly complex subject matter that requires many stakeholders to work together – and aims to make its results accessible to everyone. Ciril thinks about the future of real estate and our cities, together with partners, governments and clients – with an open mind and while putting people first.
City Real Estate for Real people
2020
Great Place to Work
All Democo Group companies get certified as Great Place to Work: a great reward for the efforts of our employees who make our group a pleasant, close-knit and strong workplace to be proud of.
2021
Vandenbriele team grows bigger
Vandenbriele acquires sister company Daeninck & Deweerdt, combining their expertise in comfort systems. By joining forces and forming one specialist in water, climate and energy systems, the company is ready to build value even more efficiently.
Democo Group is nominated as one of the "Best Workplaces Belgium".
1945
Daeninck & Deweerdt is founded as a specialist in heating installations for private homes.
1977
At the age of 56, Cyriel Demot together with Frans Houben and Mario Longhi starts his own construction company.
“Democo Algemene Ondernemingen” is born, setting in motion a distinct and integrated vision on real estate.
1982
Acquisition Vandenbriele
The acquisition of sanitation expert Vandenbriele is the first step towards what will become the future Democo Group: the ambition to deliver better, faster and more efficient work for end customers through vertical integration has been kickstarted.
1985
Founding of AEW
Eddy Noben founds ‘Algemene Electriciteitswerken’ (AEW – General Electricity Works). Under his leadership, we are able to grow into a group of around 150 employees and three companies.
1986
Founding of Deholi & Deconstruct
Democo builds centralised workshops on the Centrum Zuid industrial estate in Houthalen.
1994
Founding of Democo Poland
1997
Second generation at the helm
2000
Construction new offices Democo Poland
Founding of DMI Vastgoed, predecessor to Ciril
As a construction company, Democo comes across a great many opportunities within the real estate sector and develops a strong network of partners. To be able to further expand on this, DMI Vastgoed is established as a real estate company and project developer. From the get-go, DMI Vastgoed actively focuses on inner city developments with significant attention to the surrounding areas and the people who live there.
2002
Founding of Democo Group holding and buyout Mario Longhi
2008
Acquisition AEW
Opening branches in Antwerp & Brussels
AEW is taken in under the umbrella of Democo Group. The group provides continuity and growth for AEW.
2013
Founding of Demtec Services & AEW Security
Demtec services is established as the reference for technical maintenance. Today, thanks to its shared knowledge as a subsidiary within Democo Group, Demtec is an ideal partner from the first stages in construction to the final maintenance phase.
AEW Security is a partner for safeguarding professional environments thanks to its bespoke offer of monitoring and security systems.
2016
Founding of Democo Portugal (DPCO)
Acquisition Daeninck & Deweerdt
Daeninck & Deweerdt becomes a granddaughter of Democo, through technical specialist Vandenbriele. Through this acquisition, Daeninck & Deweerdt becomes part of a group with a strong presence across Flanders.
2018
Founding of regional office East-Flanders in Ghent
2019
Democo Group introduces a new and uniform corporate identity across all its companies, with a fresh logo.
We are stronger together, joint as a group of companies. Thanks to our new corporate identity, the sense of unity we achieve internally through our collaboration and management, now shines through to the outside world as well. We all sail under the same flag.
DMI Vastgoed becomes Ciril
The name emphasises what we do: we develop the city real estate of tomorrow - while keeping in mind our experience and history, starting with our founder Cyriel Demot. Ciril is responsible for project development within Democo Group - a highly complex subject matter that requires many stakeholders to work together – and aims to make its results accessible to everyone. Ciril thinks about the future of real estate and our cities, together with partners, governments and clients – with an open mind and while putting people first.
City Real Estate for Real people
2020
Great Place to Work
All Democo Group companies get certified as Great Place to Work: a great reward for the efforts of our employees who make our group a pleasant, close-knit and strong workplace to be proud of.
2021
Vandenbriele team grows bigger
Vandenbriele acquires sister company Daeninck & Deweerdt, combining their expertise in comfort systems. By joining forces and forming one specialist in water, climate and energy systems, the company is ready to build value even more efficiently.
Democo Group is nominated as one of the "Best Workplaces Belgium".