Lapauw International Scoops Mega Contract with the BinLadin Group

KORTRIJK, Belgium, June 1, 2011 -

Lapauw International, the Kortrijk-based company that was taken over by
Philippe D'heygere in the summer of 2010, has scooped a mega-contract in
Saudi Arabia. The counterparty is the renowned BinLadin Group, a construction
company based in Jeddah, with subsidiaries and outstanding references across
the Middle East.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110601/459146 )

The BinLadin Group has ordered sixty Combi 2000 type industrial washing
machines from Lapauw. The machines are designated for a new compound to be
built for pilgrims on their way to Mecca. "This is the largest contract that
has ever been signed in our sector," says Philippe D'heygere on behalf of
Lapauw International. "In fact, here we are writing more than a little bit of
history. It is positive that, thanks to this contract, we are starting
co-operation with a construction group that might also do business with us
elsewhere." This commercial deal was preceded by nine months of negotiations
through Lapauw's sales office in Dubai. The sixty industrial washing machines
will have to be delivered by the end of this year.

Lapauw International has a consolidated annual turnover of 20 million
euros and has already delivered machines to over one hundred countries. The
successfully completed Saudi contract has a counter value of 3 million euros
(or 4 million dollars) and therefore immediately accounts for one-sixth of
the annual turnover. "Our comprehensive order book, including deliveries to
the 6-star Burj Al Arab hotel and the tallest building in the world, Burj
Khalifa, both in Dubai, and the superior technology of our industrial washing
machines have made the difference," D'heygere says. "International
competition, however, was quite harsh. Basically it boils down to this: The
buyer clearly opted for the high quality of our industrial washing machines
and was apparently willing to pay the price for that."

Lapauw International, formerly a family business founded in 1945, was
sold to Philippe D'heygere (formerly of Stow International) in the third
generation of the company. His efforts to transform the "Sleeping Beauty"
Lapauw once was into a dynamic, aggressive company have proven highly
successful. D'heygere focuses on innovation, as well as strong international
management. Lapauw International has the technology at its disposal and also
presents itself as a "Top Quality Development and Production Unit" which
employs around one hundred people.

www.LapauwInternational.com

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Photo:
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Note to the editors (not for publication): Philippe D'heygere, Philippe.dheygere at lapauw.be, Tel +32-56-354295