Interparking

Interparking

Founded	1958
Founder	Claude De Clercq
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Key people	Claude De Clercq (Founding Chairman), Roland Cracco (CEO), Serge Fautré (Chairman)
Services	Car park operator
Revenue	€598.5 million (2024)
Owner	AG Insurance (61%), APG (39%)
Number of employees	2.224 (2024)
Website	www.interparking.com

Interparking S.A./N.V. is a European operator in the urban parking sector. Founded in 1958 in Brussels, Belgium, the company designs, develops, and manages off-street and on-street parking facilities across several European countries.

History

Interparking was founded in 1958 for the Brussels World Expo (Expo 58), beginning with a single multi-level car park. Over the decades, it expanded across Europe, entering nine countries. In 2024, the company signed a landmark strategic agreement with Spanish parking operator Saba Infraestructuras. Pending regulatory approval, the combined group will operate in 16 countries, managing over 2,000 parking facilities and nearly 800,000 spaces, including its first operations in South America.

A historical overview: key stages of development

Interparking's formative years

Interparking's journey began in 1958, emerging from the post-war economic boom in Brussels. The company's first parking facility, Parking 58, quickly found success, accommodating stock market agents, theater-goers, and shoppers alike. This early demand led to a pivotal moment: the Belgian government's decision to rebuild the Mont des Arts district, including the Royal Library and a Convention Centre that needed a car park. Claude De Clercq, Interparking's founder, secured this contract, leading to the creation of the Albertine car park, which remains in operation today.

Early growth and international ventures

By 1962, Interparking's potential caught the eye of Brussels businessman Charly De Pauw, who acquired a 50% stake, sealed with a simple handshake. This partnership helped solidify Parking 58's growing success. The company's first international step came in 1965 with a car park in Rotterdam, followed by a significant foothold in Berlin in 1967 with the takeover of the Europa-Center multi-storey car park. By 1969, Interparking's position was firmly established in Belgium, even partnering with BP Oil Group.

Expanding across Europe and family leadership

The 1970s marked a major expansion. Interparking extended its German presence by acquiring Continental Parking (Contipark) and its Austrian subsidiary. Just 13 years after its founding, Interparking was active in Belgium, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. This decade also saw Yves De Clercq, Claude's son, join the company. He would later work closely with his father, eventually becoming Managing Director in 2003, and, alongside his brother-in-law Baudouin Ruquois, would spearhead much of Interparking's international growth.

Strategic acquisitions

The period from 1979 to 1990 was defined by decisive foreign expansion, with Contipark acquiring car parks from major players like Deutsche Shell and BP Deutschland. Interparking focused on long-term concessions, recognizing the significant investments required for quality car parks. Simultaneously, the company continued to grow in Belgium, particularly at Brussels Airport, where its 10 car parks now form the country's largest parking complex with 13,000 spaces.

Continued European presence into the new millennium

Interparking's international reach continued into the 1990s, entering Spain in 1992 and Italy. A notable acquisition in Italy was the car park on the artificial island of Tronchetto in Venice, which became Interparking's largest single car park with 3,957 spaces. Under Yves De Clercq's leadership, the company expanded further into Romania and Poland in the 2010s, maintaining a pragmatic approach to market entry. 2024 saw the company establish a major strategic alliance with Spanish parking operator, Saba Infraestructuras, and once regulatory approval is secured, the unified group will operate in 16 countries.

Expertise and reach

Interparking's core competencies span the entire lifecycle of parking solutions. The company designs innovative parking facilities tailored to client needs, focusing on optimal traffic flow and space utilization with sustainable practices. Interparking also builds modern structures, responsibly using resources and navigating complex regulations while adhering to sustainability principles. Furthermore, it operates these facilities, ensuring high standards of safety, service, and convenience throughout their lifespan.

Beyond new construction, Interparking actively acquires prime locations, leveraging market knowledge to secure high-quality properties with significant optimization potential. The company also modernizes existing car parks through strategies like energy-efficient lighting, improved traffic flow, and the installation of charging stations, ensuring their long-term appeal and efficiency.

These comprehensive capabilities allow Interparking to serve a diverse range of market sectors, including:

• Airports
• City centers
• Offices
• Hospitals
• Train stations
• Residential areas
• Shopping centers
• Harbors / Cruises

European presence (2024)

Interparking operates in nine European countries, managing 1,019 sites in 406 cities and a total of 435,810 parking spaces. Breakdown by country:

• Germany: 437 sites – 100,717 off-street, 19,692 on-street
• The Netherlands: 111 sites – 55,571 off-street
• Belgium: 108 sites – 46,388 off-street
• France: 76 sites – 25,532 off-street, 4,060 on-street
• Italy: 125 sites – 23,721 off-street, 93,487 on-street
• Spain: 67 sites – 28,362 off-street, 565 on-street
• Poland: 47 sites – 21,379 off-street, 528 on-street
• Austria: 42 sites – 12,233 off-street, 551 on-street
• Romania: 6 sites – 3,024 off-street

Financial performance

In 2024, Interparking achieved record revenues of €598.5 million and an economic EBITDA of €174.5 million.

ESG and sustainability

Interparking achieved a 92% score in the GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) in 2024.

Key sustainability figures:

• 6,316 EV or hybrid-dedicated spaces
• 263 European Standard Parking Awards (ESPAs)
• 135 lungs in the city, neutralizing up to 70% of particles, 40% of fine particles and 20% of ultra-fine particles
• “Taking Climate Action” certification maintained in all nine operating countries (previously known as CO₂ neutral)

Strategic goals include equipping 12.5% of off-street spaces with EV chargers by 2030, doubling bike parking capacity by 2035, and maintaining carbon neutrality across Scope 1, 2, and partial Scope 3 emissions.

Innovation and digital transformation

Interparking continues to innovate with services like Pcard+ and the Pcard app, which now integrates license plate recognition, EV charging, real-time space availability, and contactless payment.

Governance

Interparking maintains a robust governance structure aligned with its ESG objectives and long-term strategic goals. The company integrates responsible business practices, ethical standards, and transparency into all levels of its operations.

Executive management

• Roland Cracco – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Édouard de Vaucleroy – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Élisabeth Roberti – General Secretary
• Arnaud Baijot – Head of Group Mergers & Acquisitions

Board of directors (as of 2024)

• Serge Fautré – Chairman
• Roland Cracco – CEO
• Marc Van Begin
• Bart Saenen
• Jan Jacob van Wulfften Palthe
• Amand Benoît D’Hondt
• Karel Tanghe
• Piet Coelewij

External links

• Official website
• Interparking Belgium website
• Interparking 2024 Annual Report
• Interparking–Saba merger press release
• AG Real Estate press release
• Saba Infraestructuras – Newsroom
• Article in L’Echo on acquisition
• Article in Expansión