PIPA, the world’s most exclusive auction house for pigeon racing, is joining forces with the Huyzentruyt family's investment company
PIPA, the world's most exclusive auction house for pigeon racing, is joining forces with the Belgian investment company owned by the Western Flemish entrepreneurial family, Huyzentruyt. Specifically, Antemm has acquired a majority stake in the auction house founded by brothers Nikolaas and Thomas Gyselbrecht, announcing that “Together, we will enhance the professionalism of the company by exploring additional international markets, while continuing to preserve PIPA’s family character”. Founder Nikolaas will remain closely involved in shaping PIPA’s strategy and long-term vision, while Thomas will continue to oversee commercial operations. The management team is further strengthened by the appointment of Philippe Huyzentruyt as CEO.
For anyone unfamiliar with PIPA — short for ‘Pigeon Paradise’ — the auction house with its roots in Knesselare, East Flanders, is a household name in the world of pigeon racing. From the United States, throughout the Middle East as far as China, anyone with a passion for racing pigeons will be familiar with the renowned Belgian auction house. Over the past 25 years, PIPA has grown into the world’s number one platform for racing pigeon news and high-profile racing pigeon auctions. Every year, the ‘Christie’s of racing pigeons’ auctions between 5,000 and 6,000 carefully selected top pigeons, both online and under the traditional auctioneer's gavel. The company has clients in more than 60 countries. PIPA also holds the record for most valuable racing pigeon ever sold at auction. In November 2020, the ‘Hok van de Wouwer’ was auctioned for a total of 9.55 million euros. ‘New Kim’, the most expensive pigeon ever, was sold at auction by PIPA for no less than 1.6 million euros. Today, the Knesselaars auction house generates an annual turnover of approximately 20 million euros. To maintain its position not only as the undisputed global leader in pigeon racing, but also to pursue new growth opportunities, PIPA is joining forces with the Huyzentruyt family.
“To consolidate PIPA’s growth and further strengthen its international position, an additional injection of experience and strategic insight are essential. With the arrival of Philippe Huyzentruyt, who has earned a strong reputation both domestically and internationally through his leadership of real estate company Groep Huyzentruyt, we are now able to take the next steps in our development. Together with Philippe, we will focus in the coming years on exploring new markets, professionalising the organisation across all areas, and serving our partners and clients even more effectively with relevant news and, of course, exclusive, high-quality auctions — all while preserving PIPA’s family character. With Philippe as CEO, a weight is lifted from our shoulders, allowing us to once again concentrate fully on strategy, vision, and the further development of our commercial activities.”
Nikolaas and Thomas Gyselbrecht, Managing Directors at PIPA
A passion for pigeons and for business
It is no coincidence that it is Philippe Huyzentruyt who has taken over the day-to-day leadership of PIPA. The businessman has been passionate about pigeon racing for many years and has, over time, built a strong relationship of trust with the Gyselbrecht brothers. In 2020, Huyzentruyt transferred the daily management of real estate group Groep Huyzentruyt to CEO Thomas Van Poucke, and founded the family investment company Antemm, in which his sons also play an active role. Through Antemm, the Huyzentruyt family aims to further diversify its investment portfolio beyond real estate and project development.
“When Nikolaas and Thomas spoke to me a few months ago about the challenges they were facing, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. We not only share a deep passion for pigeon racing, but all three of us are motivated by the same ambition to continuously improve and grow. Like Groep Huyzentruyt, I thrive on the exciting dynamics of a family business, where passion is the true driving force. I am convinced that, by choosing the right strategic path, we can make that passion even more infectious. Together with Nikolaas, Thomas, and the entire PIPA team, I have no doubt that we will be able to create an even stronger success story.”
Philippe Huyzentruyt, CEO of PIPA and Managing Director of the Antemm investment company
Stability
In addition to his role as CEO, Philippe Huyzentruyt has also acquired a majority stake in PIPA through Antemm. Nikolaas and Thomas Gyselbrecht remain closely involved in the company’s management. In practical terms, this allows the brothers to once again focus more on developing PIPA’s activities. Philippe Huyzentruyt will be supporting the brothers, and, together with the existing team, taking on operational leadership.
“At both strategic and operational levels, we will take important steps forward and explore new directions in the months and years ahead. At the same time, we remain fully committed to delivering high-quality news and auctions, and we continue to serve our clients with the utmost passion. More than ever, we are a trusted partner for everyone with a love of pigeon racing.”
Nikolaas and Thomas Gyselbrecht
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About Pigeon Paradise (PIPA)
Pigeon Paradise, the online auction house for racing pigeons based in Knesselare, was launched in 2000 as an informational website delivering up-to-date news on the sport of pigeon racing. Over the past 25 years, the company has grown into one of the world's largest auction houses. Over the past 5 years, the company achieved an average turnover of 20.7 million euros. The company website attracts over 23,000 unique visitors every day. In 2020, PIPA made history by selling the most expensive European pigeon ever, ‘New Kim’, for 1.6 million euros. More info at www.pipa.be
About ANTEMM BV
ANTEMM BV is the company owned by the Huyzentruyt family. The investment company manages and develops a diversified portfolio, with the family development company, Groep Huyzentruyt, as its main shareholder. All together, the Group maintains a combined development pipeline of approximately 5,300 residential units in Belgium and Poland. In recent years, the Group has undergone a strategic evolution from a ‘turnkey’ contractor to an integrated project developer and service provider, attracting third-party capital through various financing structures in both Belgium and Poland. Today, the organisation employs around 70 people—approximately 40 in Belgium and 30 in Poland—and generates an annual turnover of around 100 million euros.
