This year marks a significant milestone for us at Scully Signal Company, as we celebrate the 20-year anniversary of our Belgium office. While our commitment to the region dates back to the early 1960s – and some partnerships go back as far as 30-40 years – the establishment of our physical office in Belgium two decades ago has been a cornerstone of our growth and success in Europe and beyond.
Join us as we take a trip down memory lane, celebrating the journey and the remarkable evolution of our Belgium office.
Humble Beginnings
The story of our Belgium office begins with a handful of dedicated distributors who laid the foundation for our presence in the region. Our journey was spearheaded by Mr. Van Der Veer, a close associate of Mr. Scully, the second-generation owner of our company. Together, they envisioned an office that would bring us closer to our customers and streamline our operations in Europe and Africa.
Our first Belgium office had quite the character – nestled in a residential area, it consisted of a main house at the front, complete with a backyard space where mushrooms grew. This unconventional setting was transformed into our Belgium headquarters, with a rented warehouse nearby. The old house was ingeniously repurposed: the printer found its home in the old fireplace, files and servers occupied the former bathroom, and the bedrooms were converted into a training room and conference rooms.
Growing Pains and Gains
Fast forward to November 2015, when we made the decision to move the Belgium office to Mechelen. This relocation marked our transition to a more industrial area, complete with a large warehouse and renovated office space to better meet the needs of our expanding team. The new office included a proper training room, reflecting our commitment to continuous learning and development.
Over the years, we’ve grown from modest beginnings, but kept the attitude that brought us here. In the early days, without the luxury of sophisticated software, we relied on Excel for accounting and maintained extensive physical archives. These archives are a testament to our journey and the challenges we’ve overcome. We have since updated our systems, but our gritty roots remain.
Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look forward to the next 20 years with optimism and ambition. Our goals for the region are clear: to continue expanding our team and growing the business. Europe and Africa offer immense potential, and we are committed to serving the region with the same industry-leading products and world-class service that we’ve provided for the past two decades.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the unwavering support of our team, partners, and customers. Your trust and partnership have been the bedrock of our success. As we celebrate 20 years of our Belgium office, we do so with gratitude and excitement for the future.
Here’s to many more years of growth, innovation, and shared success. Thank you for being a part of our journey!
