Entry of the Steverlynck family

On incorporation of the Vansteenkiste Company in 1928, the Steverlynck family obtained a seat on the Board of Directors, which was to be chaired by Baldewijn Steverlynck (1893-1976). Over the years, the Steverlynck family would clearly make their mark on the industrial development of the historically agriculturally dominated region. They already had a rich history of involvement in the textile industry. Together with his sons Aloïs and Adolf, grandfather Jean-Baptiste had in 1877 started a small chain warping factory. Seeking ways to expand the business they were quick to see opportunities for the weaving industry. The establishment of the ‘Steverlynck Bros. Steam Weaving Company’ thus also marked the start of the mechanical weaving process. Being a qualified textile engineer, Baldewijn Steverlynck was already quite familiar with flax. Together with his brother Karel he purchased a dye company in 1920 and transformed it into "Groeninghe Dyeworks", a company specialising in the latest colouring substances that would yield colourfast flax yarns. Thoroughly realising the importance of understanding the qualities of flax, Baldewijn had a more than average interest in the scientific experiments carried out by Constant Vansteenkiste. This led to talks and a subsequent agreement on collaboration, and it was then that the Steverlynck family made their entry into the Ieper business community. They would play a role in the company until this very day, while Baldewijn Steverlynck also became very active in other areas. Together with Lieven Gevaert he founded the Flemish Employers Association in 1924 and was Gevaert's first successor in 1934. In 1928 he was one of the architects of the Catholic Employer's Union for West and East Flanders under Leon Bekaert; in 1934 he co-founded the Kredietbank and would later become its manager.
Picture: Karel, Juul and Baldewijn Steverlynck