50 years of BOMA: A journey through the evolution of cleaning

It all began humbly in Antwerp's Stuivenberg District. With coir mats and brushes, the founders Walter Bresseleers and Frank Wildiers laid the foundation for what was to become BOMA. The company quickly grew and moved to the IJzerlaan in 1979. In 1990, the launch of the DosDob system marked a major step forward and simplified order management.

Over the years, BOMA has continued to innovate, introducing the well-known Greenspeed microfiber cloth in 1994. In 1995, under the leadership of Pierre Van Campenhout, BOMA Brussels kept growing and relocated to a larger site at Place Masui in order to better serve its customers. The arrival of Luc Bresseleers, Stijn Wildiers, and Robin de Wolf in 1996 brought new energy to the company. Mark Bresseleers, in turn, continued his involvement for a few years to ensure a smooth transition.

The year 2000 marked our partnership with ECOVER, enabling us to launch the first eco-friendly range for the professional market. This focus on sustainability and innovation is a common thread running through our history. That same year, Antonio Caetano began the BOMA journey in Luxembourg, paving the way for further international expansion.

In 2001, our headquarters moved to Noorderlaan 131 in Antwerp, a location that has remained our base ever since. Our business continued to expand. In 2005, BOMA officially became the distributor for the entire Benelux region, having entered the Dutch market.

Then the 2010s brought even more innovations. In 2011, we proudly launched our own Probio line, dedicated to a sustainable future. In 2014, we opened our first branch in France under the management of Olivier Scolan and celebrated our 40th anniversary with a major event that brought together 800 Bomitos and loyal customers.

Our commitment to sustainability was deepened in 2015 with the arrival of 80,000 bees on our premises and the takeover of ECOVER's B2B activities by Greenspeed. And the wave of innovation continued with the launch of the Admire washroom line in 2016, the arrival of BOMArobotics in 2020, and the introduction of our BiP (BOMA in the Pocket) app in 2021. Our partnerships, such as the one with River Cleanup, reflect our dedication to the planet.

The Let's Rethink Cleaning campaign, launched in 2023, continues because we firmly believe in its value. With our three pillars¿-¿planet, people, and profit¿-¿we are committed to creating a positive impact on people, the environment, and economic growth.

We kicked off the 2024 anniversary year with a bang by launching our eco-score, which allows customers to make even more sustainable choices. For every ¿1,000 spent on A+ and A-rated products, we plant a tree in Madagascar with Go Forest, an initiative that further strengthens our positive impact.

Would you like to learn more about BOMA's fascinating history? Watch the video below, where we highlight key moments and share unique anecdotes that sum up our 50-year journey.