Company history

On 20 September 1965, Mr Raymond Lauwyck, then chairperson of the local branch of the National Association for Help to Persons with an Intellectual Disability [Nationale Vereniging voor Hulp aan Verstandelijk Gehandicapten], founded the Blankedale vzw workshop. He was an extremely active person who both founded and managed various institutions and services in the disabled care sector in the Tienen region.
Blankedale was founded with six members of staff led by director Staf Vanparijs. The 1970s saw the initial development of the sheltered workshop [Beschutte Werkplaats] thanks to Sylvania, a customer who unexpectedly placed an extremely large order with Blankedale. The number of employees increased to over 100.
In March 1927, a fire broke out in the bookbinding workshop. However, Blankedale continued to grow.
In 1979, the Blankedale II industrial park was opened for packaging operations.
In 1988, Blankedale III was built to pack windscreen wipers.
Vanparijs stepped down in 1990 due to illness (and passed away in 1994).
In 1991, Chairman of the Board Raymond Lauwyck appointed Mr. Erwin Cool, who had a background in business, to the position of Managing Director.
To continue with the company’s expansion plans, more land was acquired and roads and buildings were renovated. In 2000, a new building with 7,500 m2 of floor space was opened.
In 2005, SAP’s ERP software was rolled out in full.
In 2006, De Strijkwinkel pressing service was established, while in 2007 the gardening service was launched.
In 2008, Erwin Cool succeeded Raymond Lauwyck as Chairman and Mr. Luc Govers became general director.
In 2011, 2200 solar panels were installed with a capacity of 512 kW.
In 2012 a new building of 8000 m2 was opened to package and store frozen goods.

Currently Blankedale employs over 800 people, of whom 85% have a disability.

Blankedale is a member of the Pierre Lauwyck Foundation. This foundation was established in 1985. Under the dynamic leadership of Mr R. Lauwyck, it serves as the coordinating organisation for multiple complementary services for persons with disabilities.
Blankedale is subsidised by the Flemish Subsidy Agency for Work and Social Economy [Vlaams Subsidieagentschap voor Werk en Sociale Economie].