The only thing more fun than winning is winning together.

Van Boekel Accountants en Adviseurs | 19 February 2024

“At home at the kitchen table, my sister Katja and I already learned a lot about entrepreneurship. About the ups and downs and the successes. As students, we helped out in the business by packing and unpacking products. My parents never said we had to join the family business, but the option was there, and I always wanted to.” By now, Youri Creutzberg is the CEO of BENGproducts, part of the family business Gig-Group in Goirle, and works closely with his parents and sister. “Because the only thing more fun than winning is winning together.”

After completing his Bachelor's in Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam and his Master's in Marketing Management at Tilburg University, Youri went straight into the business world. Before joining the family business, he wanted to gain experience in other companies to broaden his horizons. He did this at two publicly traded organizations in the Netherlands and the United States. Eventually, the time came: “I joined my parents John and Sonja.”

A very smart choice

Thirty years ago, John Creutzberg, Youri's father, started an international wholesale business in safety glass: Giga-Glas. “To spread the risk, he also started Giga International and recently acquired the company Zakpak.” Both companies have nothing to do with glass. Giga International mainly supplies packaging for the hospitality industry, and Zakpak is a producer of packaging for the food industry. This diversification proved to be a smart choice. “During the financial crisis, when glass orders dropped significantly, Giga International remained stable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the opposite was true. Due to the various lockdowns, both Giga-Glas and Giga International had a tough period, while Zakpak's sales remained stable.”

The unique capabilities of vacuum glass

Youri started in the family business as director of Giga International and Zakpak. A year and a half later, the product vacuum glass came his way, and he took it up under the name BENGglas. “Vacuum glass consists of two panels (two glass sheets a few millimeters thick) with a vacuum in between. In traditional forms of insulating glass (HR++ and triple glass), the noble gas between the glass sheets provides an insulating effect. This gas insulates well, but not nearly as well as a vacuum. Due to the vacuum, there is virtually no transmission; not of heat, but for example, also not of sound. Additionally, BENGglas is very thin, making it very suitable for renovations of, for example, monumental buildings whose frames cannot be replaced.”

Lower total cost of ownership

Youri explains that BENGglas is often slightly more expensive to purchase than HR++ and triple glass, but that the total cost of ownership is considerably lower. “BENGglas insulates three times better than HR++ glass and twice as well as triple glass, resulting in more savings from day one. It also has an expected lifespan of 50 years, saves on replacing the frames, and the glass does not experience a decline in insulation value as it ages.” This glass is not only suitable for renovations. New buildings also benefit from the low insulation value of 0.4. “BENGglas reduces the total energy requirement of a property or home. As a result, a home or other building often requires a less powerful heat pump or a limited number of solar panels. It is also possible to work with lighter hardware.”

Nearly Energy Neutral Buildings

The name BENGglas was thought up by his father and is particularly cleverly chosen. “The name BENG is a nod to the building regulations regarding ‘Nearly Energy Neutral Buildings’. That is, of course, exactly what this glass makes a significant contribution to. When my father suggested the name during a brainstorming session, everyone was immediately enthusiastic. And yes, it is widely searched online.” BENGglas is now part of the BENGproducts group, which also includes BENGsolar. Under that name, the family business supplies solar panels, a nice addition to further sustainable homes and buildings.

Every entrepreneur must do something with society

Corporate social responsibility for Youri is mainly in the products. “They are very sustainable. With BENGglas, you save energy, and with our solar solutions, you can generate energy. With both companies, we focus on the world of tomorrow, where we no longer use fossil fuels.” Additionally, CSR for him also involves people. “We visit all the Chinese factories we collaborate with annually. This way, we check if the working conditions are in order.” Closer to home, CSR is also an important focus. The field staff drive hybrid and electric cars, the warehouses are equipped with BENGglas, and Youri also supports the local football club VOAB and the non-profit organization Kiwanis. “I believe every entrepreneur should do something for society.”

I try to break through that traditional thinking

Although things are going well at BENGglas, Youri states that too few architects, contractors, and other parties in construction are aware of the existence of vacuum glass. “It's a shame that when people think of sustainability, they first think of HR++ glass, solar panels, and heat pumps.” He calls this traditional thinking in traditional products. “I try to break through that thinking.” He does this by being active at many (international) trade fairs, but also by regularly advertising in national media such as radio campaigns, trade magazines, and social media. “If you want to save on energy costs, first see what you can do with glass.”

Another enterprise

The growth is not yet coming to an end. With BENGglas, Youri is now doing business not only in the Benelux but also in Ireland and Germany. “We keep looking a little further and ahead, that's the thrill of entrepreneurship for me.” His ambitions with BENGglas are big. “I want to become the number 1 brand for vacuum glass. It would be great if BENGglas becomes synonymous with vacuum glass, that it becomes the standard.” Triple glass will eventually disappear in this regard. Can vacuum glass get any better? “In terms of insulation value, the maximum insulating capacity seems to have been reached. The product may still undergo incremental improvements. Think of a thinner edge finish and fewer or smaller spacers.” He is open to starting another new enterprise. “Once BENGglas and BENGsolar are at a certain level, I can well imagine starting something like BENGbatteries. I also do not rule out our own production of vacuum glass within Europe.”