La Biscuiterie Namuroise is baking up plans to reach more food lovers

"We're inspired by recipes invented in 1908 by my partner Laurent's great-grandfather," explains Paul Navez, co-founder of La Biscuiterie Namuroise. "To achieve these traditional flavours, we use natural ingredients, without preservatives or additives. We are also firmly committed to local supply chains, both for production and distribution.” 

Recipes for success

Consumers quickly fell in love with our biscuits, and sales soared. “We are No. 1 in Belgium in the local retail circuit,” says Paul. 

In order to continue to grow, especially internationally, the company needed new infrastructure. "We've just moved to Bois-de-Villers," adds Paul. "We're expanding from 300 to 1,800 m2. A new production facility will enable us to increase volumes tenfold, without altering our approach, let alone our biscuits. Our production processes and machines adapt to our recipes and quality standards, not the other way round."

A trusted partner

To complete this project, Paul called on a trusted partner: Didier Van Hentenryck, his relationship manager at BNP Paribas Fortis. 

"Didier and BNP Paribas Fortis provided us with the best solutions for financing the purchase of the building, its renovation and our new production line. From the very beginning, Didier was always available and responsive. We felt truly supported and guided: he completely understood our reality and where we wanted to go.”

Didier Van Hentenryck: "The core of my job is meeting entrepreneurs and helping them finance their projects. The human relationship is key. What I love most is contributing to the success of people who, like Paul, are passionate about what they do. And I can confirm that his biscuits are excellent – and deserve to cross borders!”  

Growing internationally

Thanks to its new premises, La Biscuiterie Namuroise is set to continue growing. "We are already present abroad: in France, Spain, Portugal, etc. The volumes we can now produce will support our international expansion. And here too, we favour local distribution channels," confirms Paul.

For this new stage, they can still count on BNP Paribas Fortis solutions. "For example, we are currently analysing with Paul how factoring can help optimise cash flow management when dealing with their foreign customers," concludes Didier.     

 “Our production processes and machines adapt to our recipes and quality standards, not the other way round."
Paul Navez