Activities (1,3 MB) - Colruyt Group

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Intrion realises its turnover mainly outside of Colruyt Group and
has built up a strong portfolio of over 200 customers, especially
multinationals. The company is mainly active in Belgium and
its surrounding countries but at the customer’s request also
throughout Europe and inter-continental.
Developments
In the past financial year, Intrion was taking preparations for a
spin-off. In the course of the years, the engineering company’s
activities had become increasingly far removed from retail,
which is the core activity of Colruyt’s Group.
At the beginning of 2011, the Board of Directors of Intrion
decided about the ‘drivers’ for the exit from the group. Various
takeover candidates came forward, but gradually the idea of a
takeover by the management did start to ripen. The possibilities
were examined by Colruyt Group together with external advisers.
The Intrion management took over the assets, liabilities and the
trading fund by means of a management buy-out on 1 April
2012. The new company ensured a smooth continuation, for
the 120 employees, the suppliers and the customers.
Intrion also developed sorting systems for the Colruyt Group for
empty goods, a container washer and a fully-automatic order
picker that set pallets of vegetable and fruit ready for the stores.
The group will also continue to make use of the engineering
services of the new Intrion company in the future.
3.4. Renewable energy - WE Power
WE-Power combines all projects regarding energy care and
sustainable energy production. The activity fits in with the group
strategy to reduce its energy requirement in a sustainable manner.
In 2011, the group generated more electricity from renewable
sources than it consumed.
WE Power grew from a supporting activity into an autonomous
business activity directed at internal use.
Solar energy
When building or renovating stores and business premises,
WE-Power systematically looks into whether solar panels are
technically and economically feasible. It is important to note
that Colruyt Group never installs more solar panels than are
necessary for its own consumption.
Wind energy
Colruyt Group has submitted an application for a permit for
six wind turbines in Beersel and Sint-Pieters-Leeuw together
with Ecopower. The group also received a permit in the past
financial year for two wind turbines in Halle, which will be built in
2012. WE-Power is also examining the feasibility of a number of
additional wind parks onshore in Sankt Vith and other locations.
The group also participates, together with external partners, in
two wind parks off the Belgian coast: Belwind, which was started
at the end of 2010, and the future wind turbine park Northwind.
Belwind, the largest green electricity plant in Belgium, produces
energy for 175.000 households and will be expanded in 2014-
2015 with another 55 turbines.
Colruyt Group incorporated the holding Parkwind in the past
financial year as a holding company for its participation in the
offshore wind project Northwind. The funding of Northwind will
be finalised in the first half of 2012 and the construction of the
wind park will start in 2013. The 72 wind turbines will provide
electricity to 250.000 households.
Finally, the group is competing in a consortium for the seventh and
last concession for a wind park on the Lodewijk bank (formerly the
Bank without a name), where Northwind will also be built.
Biomass
The former Fraxicor, which produces electricity from animal
waste fat was given a new name in the past financial year:
‘W-Cycle’. Due to the high fuel prices and the uncertainty
regarding supporting mechanisms, the project has temporarily
been discontinued, as was the case with regard to most
installations in Belgium that produce green electricity from
animal fats.
Fermentation
Already for a number of years, WE-Power has been fermenting
the group’s organic waste, such as vegetables, fruit and bread
that were not longer suitable for sale and meat scraps. This
has taken place externally already for many years. In order to
ferment the waste within the group, WE-Power is planning the
construction of a fermentation installation next to the distribution
centre in Ghislenghien.
Participations
Based on its expertise with hydrogen as a sustainable
fuel for logistic uses, Colruyt Group is also participating
in the ‘Factory of the Future’. This new concept of the
Flemish government stimulates companies to produce in a
sustainable manner. WE-Power is carrying out research into
the use of hydrogen in every day applications and into fuel
cells on hydrogen. In addition, WE-Power also participates
in the NER 300 project of the European Commission.
This project supports companies that invest in innovative
renewable energy projects.