75 years of IGW

This year is a big one for us as we celebrate IGW's 75th anniversary. It's a momentous occasion that deserves recognition, and we're excited to share that it was even covered by one of Belgium’s major news outlets. Curious about IGW's incredible journey over the past 75 years? Let's dive into the company's origins and evolution.

A Passionate Family

To mark this milestone, we're looking back at where it all began. Did you know IGW started as "Watteeuw," founded by Alfons Watteeuw when he was just 19? Inspired by his father Henri Watteeuw, who had a passion for gears, Alfons took the leap into metalworking. Henri was not only a teacher in Bruges but also lectured at the University of Leuven and authored 14 technical books—showing that dedication to mechanics runs deep in the Watteeuw family.

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An International Leader

When IGW joined the BMT Group in 1992, it paved the way for growth into an international market leader. From its roots as a local gear manufacturer, IGW now operates across Romania, China, India, and the US. By being part of a group of manufacturing companies, we strengthen our position through access to extensive expertise and resources.

The Future Remains Bright!

For many years, we have been recognized for our expertise in gears that are essential across various industries – from ships and trains to compressors and tractors. However, recent developments have led us to expand into aluminum production at our Belgian plant. These aluminum parts, also known as “prismatic parts”, play significant roles in large machines producing microchips or medical scanners.

We're incredibly proud of IGW's legacy and eagerly look forward to what lies ahead in the next 75 years. To honor this special occasion properly, we've created a new corporate movie celebrating this remarkable journey.