Comarch has been operating in the Benelux region has been since 2005. As a global provider of modern IT solutions, it has consistently strengthened its position in this market, earning the trust of key clients across various sectors from telecommunications and financial services to healthcare. Managing Director of Comarch Benelux, Quinten De Raedt shares insights about the company’s early days in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, the challenges it has overcome, and the innovative projects it has successfully implemented.
The beginnings of Comarch Benelux
In 2005, Comarch decided to serve the Benelux region in a more strategic way. To achieve this, we recognized the need for a local presence, which led to the opening of our office in Brussels. This city was chosen due to its proximity to the Netherlands and Luxembourg, as well as its status as one of Europe’s key international business hubs. Additionally, Brussels is home to many talented specialists, often multilingual, who were eager to develop their careers at Comarch—perfectly aligning with our needs.
When Comarch first entered the Benelux market, it was relatively unknown in the industries we targeted. Establishing the company as a recognizable leader in these sectors was a major challenge. However, this forced us to become more dynamic and flexible, allowing us to adapt effectively to client demands.
Another initial challenge was the perception of Comarch as a Polish company, which sometimes came with stereotypes about Eastern Europe. However, this was also an opportunity. We were able to showcase a different side of Poland and its people while occasionally even confirming some of the stereotypes.
Major projects and investments
One of our first major projects was our collaboration with KPN.* Soon after, we expanded our client base in the Benelux region, partnering with renowned brands such as Brussels Airlines, ING Bank, Telenet, and many others. One of most groundbreaking recent implementations is a project with Belgian insurer P&V. As part of this collaboration, we are introducing our Comarch Digital Insurance and Comarch Life Insurance solutions while co-developing a Belgian layer. This includes a set of market-specific insurance standards that our competitors find challenging to implement.
Another key project is our loyalty program with the company Q8. Thanks to this initiative, many Belgian customers refueling at Q8 stations collect "Smiles" points, significantly enhancing their shopping experience. In the telecommunications sector, we have implemented an innovative solution for Proximus, Belgium’s national telecom provider. Comarch platform now manages millions of Belgian IoT SIM cards.
Traditionally, we have focused on three key industries in the Benelux region: telecommunications, financial services, and the service sector. Each of these has achieved success. Since 2020, we have also expanded into the healthcare sector, offering remote patient monitoring solutions. One example is our collaboration with Belgian hospitals, which use our software to monitor heart failure patients.
Growth and work culture
In recent years, the Benelux branch has seen significant growth in every aspect: client base, revenue, and team size. In 2009, we had only one client. By 2024, we were serving approximately 60 clients across various sectors.
Comarch Benelux has consistently ranked second within the Comarch group in terms of international revenue. Our team has also expanded significantly, from just two employees at the start to around 35 employees today.
We actively engage with local organizations on multiple levels, from charitable activities to partnerships with industry associations and sports clubs. Every year, we participate in fundraising events for cancer research. We are also members of healthcare and insurance organizations and proudly sponsor Union Saint-Gillois, a Brussels-based football club. We feel connected to them because, just like us in business, they are a "challenger" that attracts attention through innovative strategies.
Belgians are known for their diplomacy and ability to work in multicultural environments. As the home of European institutions, Brussels hosts people from 184 different nationalities. This is also reflected in our team, which includes employees from 10 countries speaking 15 languages—making our company adaptable and open to diverse business cultures. With such values, a career at Comarch becomes a chance to grow in an international environment where multiculturalism is the order of the day.
Key milestones
For the Benelux region, success has come from strategic contracts with key clients such as KPN, Orange, Q8, ING, Crelan, Axa, and Swiss Life, as well as the expansion of our team. A defining moment was when Vice-President of International Sales, Wojciech Pawluś, led the team’s growth, focusing on trust and a culture of responsibility to lay the foundations for our long-term success.
The Benelux branch has always prioritized a committed and experienced team. Our recruitment process is highly selective, as candidates must not only have the right skills but also align with our organizational culture. We could have grown our workforce faster, but our priority was building a loyal and dedicated team. In the long run, engagement and team stability are key to success. A career at Comarch is a chance to grow in a company that combines innovation with responsibility and attention to organizational culture.
Awards and recognition
Comarch Benelux has enjoyed international recognition for years, strengthening its position as a leader in the technology industry. Among the most significant awards are the White Eagle Award and BEPOLUX. The former honors companies that promote Poland as an innovative and economically strong country. In 2018 and 2019, Wojciech Pawluś, then Managing Director of Comarch in the Benelux region, received the statuette in Brussels from the hands of the Polish Ambassador to Belgium, Artur Orzechowski.
In 2023, Comarch was recognized as the best Polish company in Luxembourg, earning the BEPOLUX award. This distinction honors companies from Belgium, Luxembourg, and Poland for outstanding achievements, helping them gain recognition and valuable business connections. Presented by the Belgian-Polish-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Polish Embassy in Belgium, it is considered a prestigious accolade.
Future plans
Expansion in the Benelux region varies across different countries, making it a strategic challenge. The key focus for the future will be the further specialization and growth of our sales teams to maintain our current growth trajectory and develop high-potential markets. Our growth in Benelux is not only about business success, but also about the many opportunities for professionals in the region who want to develop their careers at Comarch and participate in the future of the IT industry.
*KPN - a leading Dutch telecommunications company, offering telephony, Internet and television services.