24/04/2026
Yesterday we brought the teams of brantsandpatents and Merkenbureau Merk-Echt together for our first joint townhall in Antwerp and what a day it was!
We explored the stunning Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen (KMSKA), wandered through the Zoo, and shared a wonderful lunch. But honestly, the best part was getting to know each other beyond the office walls.
A few things we learned along the way:
๐ฆ An okapi has no smell during the first weeks of its life (handy survival trick!)
๐จ Women were for a long time not allowed to paint. Thankfully, times have changed
๐ Thereโs a statue of Willem van Oranje tucked away in the KMSKA garden
And some things we learned about each other:
๐น Johan Brants once had a pet guinea pigโฆ that lived on his head. Or was it just a rogue haircut?
๐ญ Robin van Gulik is a passionate carnaval partyer and switches to full-on Flemish when the music starts
โฝ Jenthe Tack used to be a Red Devil. Or not?
๐ธ Ellen Crabbe spent her early days playing around in a lab with frogs
๐ฌ Olivier Hoefsmit and Philippe Hoefsmit? Turns out theyโre brothers! Who would have guessed ๐
Merging two teams is about more than combining expertise - itโs about building real connections. Yesterday proved weโre well on our way. Looking forward to everything weโll accomplish together. ๐ช
Patents Antwerp KMSKA StrongerTogether
