NIVELLES, BELGIUM — Lucien Beauduin, former chief executive officer and honorary chairman of VIGAN Engineering, died in March at the age of 87, VIGAN announced.

Beauduin’s career covered a wide variety of sectors. He started in the sugar beet industry at the Raffineries Tirlemontoises and left to start a new venture with his son Charles Beauduin in the textile and electronic industries.

In 1989, Beauduin took over VIGAN and was CEO for 15 years.

In 2004, he passed the operational leadership of VIGAN to Nicolas Dechamps, still the managing director, and started a new career in the banking sector. He seconded his son in the construction of an industrial group (www.vandewielegroup.com).

VIGAN said it owes to Beauduin his numerous investments in the factory in Belgium to improve and industrialize the production.

“It is undoubtedly thanks to him that VIGAN has become the leader in the world for pneumatic unloaders,” the company said. “But he will mostly be remembered for his vision, his charisma and leadership in sales and marketing.”

Beauduin was recognized by everyone as being passionate, nonconformist, benevolent, and anxious to help others, VIGAN said.