The Chairman, the members of the Board of Directors, and the management of Bekaert announce with great sorrow the passing away of Baron Velge, Honorary Chairman of Bekaert, on 29 May 2010.

Jean-Charles Velge was born in Brussels on 9 January 1930 and was a grandson of Leo Leander Bekaert, founder of Bekaert. He joined Bekaert on 1 April 1957 having obtained a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Louvain.

Baron Velge was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bekaert from 1985 until 1997. He formerly assumed various operational responsibilities within Bekaert. In 1978 he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. He was also a director of several companies and organizations.
Baron Velge had a dynamic personality and was appreciated and respected in Belgium and abroad. The Chairman, the members of the Board of Directors, the management and employees of Bekaert present their sincerest sympathy to the family.