FM Champion: CEO Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi is Elevating Hungary’s B+N into a Global Brand Via Inspiried Strategic Evolution

  • 24 Mar 2026 3:22 PM
FM Champion: CEO Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi is Elevating Hungary’s B+N into a Global Brand Via Inspiried Strategic Evolution
Local entrepreneur Ferenc Kis-Szölgyémi, CEO of B+N, has built one of Central Europe’s most significant business success stories - transforming a domestic cleaning company into a regional powerhouse in facility management (FM), and he's now steering it into a new phase of international growth through strategic rebranding.

Over nearly three decades, B+N has evolved far beyond its origins in cleaning services. Today, it stands as Hungary’s leading facility management company, offering a comprehensive suite of services - from technical operations and maintenance to landscaping, logistics, hygiene solutions, and much more.

From Local Service Provider to Regional Leader

Under Kis-Szölgyémi’s leadership, the company has embraced a full-service model, enabling clients to outsource complex operational needs to a single, integrated provider. This strategic positioning has been key to its rapid expansion across Central and Eastern Europe.

The results speak for themselves: the company now operates in multiple countries and employs tens of thousands of people, placing it among the region’s largest employers in its sector.

Scaling Up: Growth, Acquisitions and Market Expansion

A defining feature of Ferenc’s leadership has been dynamic and structured growth. Through acquisitions and internal development, B+N has expanded both its geographic footprint and service capabilities.

The company has successfully integrated acquired businesses into a unified operational framework - leveraging economies of scale and standardized processes to boost efficiency and competitiveness.

At the same time, diversification has played a role in strengthening the group’s broader portfolio, reflecting a long-term vision of Ference that extends beyond a single vertical.

Financially, this strategy has delivered strong results. B+N has seen significant revenue growth in recent years, with turnover rising into the hundreds of billions of forints and profitability maintaining solid margins.

Innovation at the Core: Technology Meets Human Expertise

One of the most distinctive aspects of B+N’s success is its commitment to innovation in a traditionally labour-intensive industry.

His forward-looking strategy has earned international recognition, highlighting Hungary’s growing role in high-tech facility management.

For instance under his leadership the company has wisely invested in:
* Proprietary cleaning robotics,
* Digital monitoring systems,
* Microbiological and hygiene research.

These technologies are designed not to replace workers, but to enhance productivity and service quality  - creating what Ference describes as a “human-centred” approach to automation.

Strategic Rebranding to LIWO Group



In a major step toward internationalisation, B+N is undergoing a strategic rebranding, transitioning to the name LIWO Group. The move reflects a clear ambition: to create a strong, unified brand identity that resonates across global markets.

As the company expands beyond Hungary into multiple European countries, a simplified and internationally recognisable name becomes a key asset.

The rebranding is clearly not just cosmetic, it signals:
* A shift toward a more global corporate structure,
* An increased focus on cross-border operations,
* The alignment of diverse subsidiaries under one cohesive brand.

In essence, LIWO Group represents the next chapter of scaling, positioning the company to compete more directly with major international FM players.

Top Leadership Style: Scale with Structure

Ference Kis-Szölgyémi’s leadership combines entrepreneurial drive with operational discipline. His emphasis on the integration of acquisitions, data-driven decision-making, and workforce stability has helped B+N navigate the challenges of a fast-growing organisation in a complex, labour-dependent industry.

He has also consistently highlighted the importance of employees as the backbone of the business, particularly in a sector facing labour shortages across Europe.

Hungarian Success Story with Global Ambitions

Today, Kis-Szölgyémi ranks among Hungary’s most successful business figures, with an estimated fortune placing him firmly in the country’s top tier of entrepreneurs. Yet the story is far from complete.

With the transition to LIWO Group, continued technological investment, and expanding international presence, the company is moving beyond its regional roots toward becoming a globally recognised facility management brand.

Looking ahead, Kis-Szölgyémi believes the company’s growing research and development capabilities could elevate it to the ranks of global players.

Among the more forward-looking innovations, B+N is already developing technology capable of predicting potential pandemics with a high degree of accuracy —  though costs currently limit widespread adoption. As data becomes increasingly valuable across the facility management sector, this is expected to change.

Green Innovation and the Future of Automation

Sustainability and efficiency are also central to the company’s strategy. Ongoing efforts range from optimising energy management systems to advancing the effectiveness of eco-friendly cleaning products that reduce chemical usage.



At the same time, B+N continues to invest in improving the social recognition and long-term attractiveness of blue-collar professions.

Automation is playing an expanding role across operations. In specialised environments such as decommissioned nuclear facilities in Italy, robotics are becoming essential, particularly where safety considerations make human labour less viable.

Even so, the company emphasises that skilled employees remain crucial — especially in overseeing and managing increasingly sophisticated robotic systems, supported by continuous workforce training.

The rise of robotics introduces new considerations, particularly around data security. Many commercially available cleaning robots rely heavily on cameras and wireless connectivity, which can pose challenges in sensitive environments.

B+N’s own in-house developed machines are designed to comply fully with European Union regulations, ensuring that data security and operational integrity remain firmly protected.

For more on B+N click here

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