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2 Apr 2025 - #acquisitions #Heylen group
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Schiedam/Bornem, 02/05/2025 – People 21, the Belgian-Dutch ‘house of labels’ active in the employment and housing of international workers, announces its acquisition of Link2Europe, based in Bornem, Belgium. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in People 21’s geographic expansion within Belgium.
A portfolio company of Heylen Group, People 21 is already known in both the Netherlands and Belgium through its staffing label Stipt.
Link2Europe has been active in the Belgian market for 17 years and is the country’s only staffing company fully dedicated to project-based employment of international workers, primarily in blue-collar roles. Like People 21, Link2Europe combines employment with high-quality housing and focuses on building long-term relationships with both clients and employees.
People 21’s portfolio includes brands such as Stipt, Quality, and DDD. Most recently, the company expanded with Feel Flex in the Brabant region. With the acquisition of Link2Europe, People 21 now operates two Belgian staffing labels: Stipt Belgium and Link2Europe.
“By maintaining both brands, we can flexibly respond to clients’ needs,” says Jasper Molendijk, CEO of People 21. “We see Link2Europe as a partner that shares our values: a strong focus on quality, respect for people, and long-term relationships. The combination of our proven business model in the Netherlands, the successful launch of Stipt Belgium, and the expertise and platform offered by Link2Europe creates a natural fit and a powerful mix for accelerated growth. The acquisition provides a solid foundation to serve clients in both Belgium and the Netherlands and paves the way for further international cooperation,” Jasper adds.
“Link2Europe also has the expertise and the right recruitment partners to source future talent from outside the European Union. This adds significant value for People 21 in both Belgium and the Netherlands,” adds Igor Van Assche, founder and managing director of Link2Europe.
Link2Europe will continue to operate independently within the new structure, while benefiting from shared back-office services and economies of scale thanks to People 21’s central support. “Housing is a key strength and strategic priority for both companies, and this is one of the natural synergies that strengthens the partnership,” says Jasper Molendijk.
Igor Van Assche will remain on board as managing director of Link2Europe and will also join the board of L.I.N.K., the holding company above Stipt Belgium and Link2Europe. He will play a central role in ensuring a smooth and sustainable Belgian-Dutch integration. The operational team at Link2Europe will remain unchanged, ensuring business continuity.
The financial terms of the acquisition will remain confidential.
Following the acquisition, People 21 now employs over 200 international workers in Belgium (out of a total of over 3,000 employees group-wide). The ‘house of labels’ now has strong regional presence across nearly all Flemish provinces via its staffing labels Link2Europe and Stipt Belgium. Within the next three years, the group aims to increase this number to at least 500 workers, with plans to expand further into the rest of Belgium.
People 21 is a Belgian-Dutch ‘house of labels’ specializing in employment, outsourcing, and housing of international workers, with a strong focus on blue-collar positions. Its portfolio includes Stipt, DDD, Quality, Stay21, Feel Flex, and Stipt Belgium. Since 2019, People 21 has been part of the Heylen Group.
www.people21.eu
Founded in 2007, Link2Europe is a specialized partner for the employment of international workers in Belgium, both on a project basis and through long-term partnerships. The company combines expertise in recruitment and selection with personalized support and housing.
www.link2europe.be