Marks the creation of the first company of the Group – Bel Network Solutions – originally dedicated to software development and the presentation of computer solutions, computer equipment sales and rendering of services in this sector of the market.

Bel Distribuição S.A., is founded, a company that initially aimed to acquire small companies in commerce and distribution in the central region of the country and in the vending machines sector. Simultaneously, the company expands its business in the Food & Beverage sector.

The Group acquires the vending assets of the company Oliveira Beja, in Santarém.

The Group acquires the vending assets of the company Miranda Unipessoal, in Santarém.

The company DLP Portugal, S.A. is founded to expand the importation and exportation of Food&Beverage, and the Group acquires the vending assets of the company of Carregado.

The Group acquires Leirivending – Comércio, Distribuição e Vending S.A, a company with 14 years of history in the vending market of coffee, beverages and snacks operating in the HORECA channel. 

The Group acquires Beiradis, the biggest vending machine distributor in Coimbra.

The Group acquires Urbilink – Mediação Imobiliária, Lda, a real estate company, with the intention of creating a solid base for the development of the Group in this sector of activity. Also launched in the same year the Group’s first own brand: Coffee Bel.

The Group acquires Futurete-Indústria de Máquinas de Café, Lda, a producer of handmade coffee machines and grinders. Bel Network Solutions is renamed Grupo BEL S.A., also incorporating the other companies headquartered in Carnaxide. In this location, the Innovation Center is established – a research and innovation hub dedicated to the technological development of new projects associated with the Group’s products.

The Group launches Amicis Gin brand, a Premium Gin brand produced in the center of the country.

Grupo BEL acquires the companies SDT- Sociedade de Distribuição, Lda in the Lisbon area, and STR- Sociedade de Distribuição Lda, in the Ribatejo area.

Grupo BEL becomes a reference shareholder of the Group Active Space Techologies, S.A.. and acquires a percentage of Megafin – Sociedade Editora, S.A. owner of Jornal Económico. In the same year, with a focus on the Recovery and Preservation of National Assets and Social Responsibility, Grupo BEL also becomes a shareholder of Fábrica das Fitas.

The Group acquires Metalúrgica Luso-Italiana S.A., holder of a Portuguese brand of faucets – Zenite. This acquisition is the result of Grupo’s BEL strategy to recover  and develop manufacturing businesses in Portugal. Aslo in 2019, the Group acquires Augusto Duarte Reis, S.A., a company dedicated to the distribution, promotion and vending of Food & Beverage.

Grupo BEL celebrates its 18th anniversary. 

Grupo BEL acquires the company Aximage- Comunicação e Imagem, Lda, specialized in opinion polls. The Group’s real estate assets are strenghthened by the acquisition of Grupo Flugraph-SPGS, S.A., which holds stakes in real estate and hotel companies, such as: Estalagem do Farol, S.A., Sociedade Agro-turística da Herdade do Rio Mourinho, S.A. and Propriurbe– Propriedades e Urbanizações, S.A.. In the same year, Grupo BEL R&D is founded, a company that promotes research and development within the Group. Grupo BEL acquires a financial stake in Global Notícias – Media Group, S.A., one of the largest Media groups in Portugal with a recognized presence in Press, Magazines, Radio, Sports News, Business, Health, and others. 

Bel e-Power, Lda, is founded, a company dedicated to the commercialization and implementation of solutions for the production, management, and consumption of renewable energy in the latest generation electric mobility sector in Portugal. In 2021, through Grupo BEL R&D, it acquires a majority position in Inovaworks II, Command and Control, S.A. a software company for operations management, monitoring and surveillance, and geospatial intelligence analysis. Also in the same year, Grupo BEL becomes a shareholder of VASP – Distribuidora de Publicações, S.A. the leading press distribution company in Portugal.

Grupo BEL celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The Group acquires a percentage in Agência Lusa – Agência de Notícias de Portugal, S.A., becoming a reference shareholder of the largest producer and distributor of news about Portugal and the world, in Portuguese Language. In March 2022, it sells its shareholding in Megafin – Sociedade Editora, S.A., the owner of Jornal Económico.

Grupo BEL acquires the exclusive control of Amaral & Filhos Distribuição S.A., a company involved in the distribution and wholesale (cash and carry) of beverages, food products, hygiene, and cleaning products. The acquisition of this business allows the Grupo BEL to expand its operation into the food and agricultural sector. Grupo BEL also strengthens its innovation sector by acquiring of Comsoftweb, Sistemas Informáticos, Lda.

At the end of 2023, Grupo BEL sells the majority of the share capital of its subsidiary Páginas Civilizadas, Lda, which holds a majority position in Global Notícias – Media Group, S.A.. With this operation, the management of the Global Media Group (GMG) is taken over by a new executive board, with Marco Galinha, founder, and CEO of Grupo BEL, steps down as Chairman of Executive Committee of GMG.

2024 is marked by an operation of the utmost relevance in the strengthening of the Group in the area of Logistics and Distribution, by taking majority control of VASP, consolidating its performance in this area. This acquisition strengthens the Group’s commitment to the distribution of press and books in Portugal, aligning with its reorganization strategy and focus on sectors where it can generate greater impact and operational excellence. VASP‘s entry into the Grupo BEL represents the consolidation of an area of operation in a market where it wants to be a reference in Portugal, now ensuring an increasingly efficient and effective work, reinforcing its presence in all aspects of the Logistics sector.

Also in 2024, Grupo BEL sells its stake in the Lusa agency to the State. This decision is part of a broader reorganization strategy, which includes reducing its direct presence in the area of communication. At the same time, Grupo BEL establishes a strategic partnership between Global Media Group and Notícias Ilimitadas, covering nine editorial brands, with the aim of promoting and reinforcing the sustainability of its historical brands through solid partnerships and strategic synergies.