Kozmoz celebrated its 20th birthday this May! Way back in 2004, Bart Claeys and Dirk De Win joined forces to found a company dedicated to the design and manufacture of permanent POS equipment and materials. But where did the name Kozmoz come from?
At the time, there were some international organisations, who carried the words ‘International’, ‘Euro’ or ‘Benelux’ in their name. And what could be so much bigger than them? The cosmos, of course! In emphasising their bold vision of standing out from and outstripping the competition, the two partners chose to replace the ‘c’ with a ‘k’. In Greek, cosmos means an ordered system – as opposed to chaos – and superb organisation is one of the company’s key assets!
In its first year, 2004, Kozmoz already generated a turnover of €2 million. It won two key accounts: Omega Pharma, with the Bodysol display, and Associated Weavers, whose first project was called the Butterfly. As the company’s first client, Associated Weavers bears client number 001 and has remained loyal ever since!
In 2008, the company took another step forward when it expanded its team to eight people and moved to new premises at Brusselsepoortstraat 23 in Mechelen, symbolising its ongoing growth and success in the permanent POS industry.
Until that time, the company’s suppliers were mainly based in the Benelux countries and Eastern Europe, but in 2006 Kozmoz started looking further afield, seeking out new partners in China. After a roundtrip with a China expert – essential for understanding the Chinese market and culture – a number of suppliers were shortlisted with whom tests were carried out. Kozmoz collaborated with its first Chinese supplier on a big project for Omega Pharma. After all these years this display Bibi is still used in some pharmacies.
Over time, other fruitful partnerships were established. Thanks to the close ties developed between the leaders of our Chinese partners, the business model of working with China was consolidated and to this day Kozmoz still works with the same suppliers with whom it started its Chinese adventure all those years ago!
By 2010, Kozmoz had some 15 employees. Its portfolio expanded to include renowned clients with sister companies abroad, including Akzo Nobel (a customer since 2006), AB InBev, Jet Import and Intergamma. The company continued to prosper over the next ten years and pulled through the post-COVID period without incident, since production in China was not impacted by the pandemic. In 2021, Kozmoz posted record sales of €7.8 million!
The following year, Kozmoz contacted POP Solutions, the market leader in cardboard POS equipment and materials, and three meetings later, Kozmoz became POP’s sister company in 2023 under a five-year plan.
The two companies shared the same vision: creating unique POS solutions driven by bold creativity and excellent design. POP wanted Kozmoz to continue independently providing general and commercial project management so as to maintain the dynamics and innovation within the two entities, while maximising all possible synergies.
Thanks to our cooperation, we, as a group, can deliver a wide range of POS solutions and offer our clients even more services along with enhanced ease and convenience. The ultimate dream of one-stop shopping – or rather one-stop POS’ing – is now becoming a reality.
Dirk De Win, co-founder of Kozmoz
In joining forces strategically, Kozmoz made available to POP an international network of high-quality suppliers as well as its expertise in premium displays, thereby strengthening its permanent equipment division. In return, POP Solutions shared its expertise in manufacturing cardboard and multi-material displays and gave Kozmoz access to its local production ecosystem for small and medium-sized runs. It could now also leverage POP’s in-house departments, including marketing and sustainability, the latter of which has earned it an EcoVadis silver medal for the second year in a row.
For clients, the seamless fit between the two companies broadens the services available, delivering an enhanced one-stop shop experience across a wide range of complete, integrated POS solutions. The flexibility and diversity of materials and production locations enable the partners to meet each client’s specific needs more efficiently, resulting in even higher levels of satisfaction for all three parties! For example, Makita, a POP client, could have its orders made in China thanks to Kozmoz’s network, while Rainpharma and Paul Hartmann, two Kozmoz clients, could now leverage POP’s cardboard displays.
A new era of growth is dawning for Kozmoz! The tie-up with POP Solutions is a significant step forward towards even greater innovation. By combining their strengths and expertise, POP and Kozmoz aim to become the leading player in permanent displays, offering the market premium and aesthetically pleasing solutions.
Celebrating 20 years of Kozmoz!
Wow, the last 20 years have really flown by for Kozmoz!
Dirk De Win, medeoprichter van Kozmoz
What an amazing journey we’ve had together! We’ve been through so many beautiful and unforgettable moments: from that very first order to the trips abroad and the inspiring people we met along the way.
Working hard and achieving impossible things together have made us stronger.
But let’s not forget the memorable Christmas parties and other get-togethers!
Our team trips to Rome, Marrakesh, Barcelona – and I’m sure we’re forgetting many more – are memories we will cherish forever. Those events not only brought us closer together, but also fuelled our passion for what we do.
But we’re far from done! There are still so many wonderful things ahead. Let’s work together to make the next 20 years just as successful!
I’d like to send a big thank you to the entire Kozmoz team and to our wonderful clients and suppliers. It is you who make this journey possible!
Onward to the next 20 years of adventure and growth!