# The Reference

**Summary.** The Reference is an agency. Based in Gent. The team is around 75 FTE. Expertise: Website development, Website strategy & UX. Works for clients in Bouw & vastgoed, Industrie & productie, Logistiek & transport, Retail & e-commerce, Telecom & media. Reference clients include Port of Antwerp-Bruges, DPG Media, Atlas Copco, Vandersanden, Sibelco, Vlerick Business School, Materialise, Collect&Go, Febelco, DATS24, DELA, Mennens, DP World, Aquafin.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Stapelplein 70 box 201, 9000 Gent |
| Website | https://www.thereference.be |
| LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reference/ |
| Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/reference.be/ |
| Company number | BE0474.475.203 |
| Expertise | Website development, Website strategy & UX |
| Sectors | Bouw & vastgoed, Industrie & productie, Logistiek & transport, Retail & e-commerce, Telecom & media |
| Team (FTE) | 75,4 |

## What does The Reference do?

The Reference is een digitaal bureau (web & platform) uit Gent. Met ongeveer 75 VTE is dit een groot bureau. De opgegeven expertise is webdevelopment en ux/ui design. Sectoren waar het bureau vaak werkt: industrie/manufacturing, retail/e-commerce, logistiek & haven en media.

## Where is The Reference based?

The Reference is based in Stapelplein 70 box 201, 9000 Gent, Belgium.

## What expertise does The Reference have?

- Website development
- Website strategy & UX

## Which sectors does The Reference work for?

- Bouw & vastgoed
- Industrie & productie
- Logistiek & transport
- Retail & e-commerce
- Telecom & media

## Which clients does The Reference work with?

- Port of Antwerp-Bruges, DPG Media, Atlas Copco, Vandersanden, Sibelco, Vlerick Business School, Materialise, Collect&Go, Febelco, DATS24, DELA, Mennens, DP World, Aquafin

## Key financials

Source: NBB annual accounts. "/" means not filed (abbreviated format); FTE = average number of full-time equivalents.

| Year | Revenue | Gross margin | EBITDA | FTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | € 16.094.750 | € 8.278.026 | € 523.009 | 91,3 |
| 2024 | € 14.768.157 | € 8.120.433 | € 557.436 | 84,3 |
| 2025 | € 12.387.384 | € 7.119.098 | € -568.126 | 75,4 |

## Which awards has The Reference won?

IAB MIXX Awards

- IAB MIXX Awards 2023, Bronze (Best Use of Data Technology) - LensOnline

## Frequently asked questions

**When was The Reference founded?** Not known.

**Where is The Reference located?** In Gent, Belgium.

**What is The Reference specialised in?** Website development, Website strategy & UX.

**How big is The Reference?** Around 75 full-time equivalents (financial year 2025).

**Which sectors does The Reference work for?** Bouw & vastgoed, Industrie & productie, Logistiek & transport, Retail & e-commerce, Telecom & media.

**Who are the clients of The Reference?** Among others Port of Antwerp-Bruges, DPG Media, Atlas Copco, Vandersanden, Sibelco, Vlerick Business School, Materialise, Collect&Go, Febelco, DATS24, DELA, Mennens, DP World, Aquafin.

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Factsheet published by IKAg. Figures from the annual accounts up to financial year 2025. Company data verified with the CBE on 2026-10-13. Canonical page: https://www.ikag.be/en/factsheets/the-reference