Brussels, 29 May 2009 – 10 years after its establishment, one of the Belgian market leaders in temporary management solutions, 3W, is taking new steps in its growth. Koen Vandendriessche is taking over as 3W manager on 1 August 2009. He is succeeding Walter Bauwens, who is leaving general management, but will take on the godparenthood of 3W. Adecco Group Belgium has had a majority stake in 3W since December 2005.

Under new management and supported by the clout of Adecco Group Belgium, 3W aims to build on its unique concept it entered the Belgian market with in January 2000. The concept consists of an individual market approach, transparency, a strict code of conduct for members and intelligent software.

The strategic focus of 3W is on the commercial development of its activities and the further reinforcement of long-term customer relations. 3W also aims to continue to develop and utilise its extensive network of temporary managers for Belgian companies, currently the biggest network of management experts and consultants in Belgium. In the long term 3W also wants to develop its international activities more intensively by using the Adecco network. “The times when temporary management was a somewhat vague concept often confused with consultancy or narrowed down to crisis management seem finally over,” Koen Vandendriessche of 3W says. “Temporary Management has become a true occupation that more and more younger experts and women choose consciously. The Belgian market still shows high potential for growth, despite the temporary cool-down due to the economic crisis. Demand for extremely specialised and flexible managers will only increase here. With a strong focus on quality and customer contact, we are ready to achieve that growth.”Adecco Group Belgium has been the majority stakeholder in 3W since 2005. Adecco Group Belgium thereby confirms its ambition to offer as many professional HR services as possible in Belgium. Its integration in the Adecco organisation should also allow 3W to use the group’s network to support its growth.

The choice of Koen Vandendriessche as Walter Bauwens’ successor is obvious. As Commercial Director at 3W, he is already involved in the company’s general management on a day-to-day basis. Before he joined 3W, Koen Vandendriessche led the International Mobility activity at Adecco for three years. He started out at Adecco as a Branch Manager after working in his own export business for several years.

After almost 10 years, founder Walter Bauwens is now passing on the torch: “I am very proud that together with other key figures, I was able to develop 3W to what it is today. The company is entirely ready to grow further in Belgium and Europe as a division of Adecco. I have complete confidence in 3W’s promising future under Adecco’s wings with Koen Vandendriessche at the helm. That is why I will take on the godparenthood of 3W and will remain available for our clients and candidates.”

With new priorities and a regained work life balance, Walter Bauwens is now changing his business involvement with his Yotran initiative, which is a community for people who want to control their work-life balance better.