Union Wallonne des Entreprises

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The Walloon Union of Companies or Union Wallonne des Entreprises (UWE) is the Walloon employers organization.

[edit] History

About 1965, when in Belgium economic decentralization was becoming more pronounced, the Walloon business leaders felt the need for more organisation. The pioneers of the UWE, were, to name a few, Jules Delruelle (Prayon), George Halbart (Magotteaux), George Henry (Glaverbel), Pierre Holoffe (Asphaltco), Leon Jacques (Carrières de Quenast) Jean Lannoye (Papeteries de Genval), Jules Plaquet (Compagnie des Ciments Belges), Alfred Putzeys (Pieux Franki).

Together they decided, at the end of 1967, to invite a hundred company managers. The result of the meeting, was to create the Walloon Union of the Companies and not the Union of the Walloon Companies, in order to allow the foreign companies which were established many in Walloon Area to join this organization. It is also decided to open the organization to both the industrialists and to not-industrialists. At that moment the FEB (Federation of the Companies of Belgium) did not exist yet and that the national organization was based on a Federation of the Industrialists of Belgium and a Federation of the not-industrial companies of Belgium.

Following this first meeting, it is decided to set up a Board of directors and to gather some starting funding. It is on 2 April 1968 when the new organization is founded. The first General meeting, in 1969, takes place at the Institute of Glass of Charleroi.