The 3 reasons Prothya Biosolutions switched to a mobility budget
Prothya Biosolutions fractionate plasma to isolate proteins used in the production of medicines. It's a niche sector, home to highly educated profiles, where HR policy genuinely makes a difference in the war for talent.
When the company decided to introduce the mobility budget, the reasoning was straightforward. Three goals drove the decision:
- Give employees more flexibility
- Create a real alternative to the company car
- Reduce the company's overall mobility footprint
Finding the right tool
The search for the right solution was just as clear: it had to be digital, automated, and backed by solid reporting. They found that combination in Mbrella.
Sophie Ballez, Lead HR Compensation & Benefits at Prothya:
"We wanted to think creatively about how employees travel to and from work. Some colleagues had been wanting to move away from the company car for a while, but had no real solution. For us, it was essential that everything runs digitally and that we can generate clear reports. That's now possible."
Her colleague Annemie Vanhamel, Human Resources Manager, puts it even more plainly:
Annemie Vanhamel, Human Resources Manager: "For us it was crucial to have a solution that is digital, automated and offers the ability to generate reports. And this is exactly what Mbrella is offering."
From company car budget to mortgage repayment
For one employee, the shift wasn't just convenient. It was fundamental.
Tarquin Lahaye, Lead Plasma Qualification at Prothya, doesn't have a driver's license. Before the mobility budget, he received a gross amount that looked fine on paper, but little was left after taxes. Today, he uses his entire budget to repay his mortgage, tax-efficiently and perfectly tailored to his situation.
Tarquin Lahaye, Lead Plasma Qualification at Prothya: "I don't have a driver's license, so the choice was quickly made. Before, I received a gross amount, but little was left after tax. With the mobility budget, my remuneration package has been enormously optimised."
Electric car plus bike lease: having it both ways
Employees who kept their company car didn't have to choose between driving and sustainability.
Take Gert Vangeleyn, Supervisor Engineering at Prothya. He opted for a more basic electric car to free up budget for a bike lease and maintenance. He now regularly cycles from Rotselaar to the Brussels office, sometimes covering up to 60 kilometres a day.
"I'll soon have an electric company car, but I chose fewer options. That way I keep budget for a bike lease and maintenance."
From mortgage repayment to a bike-and-car combo: at Prothya, every employee chooses their own path.
From first meeting to go-live: 4 months
Prothya has more than 250 employees and previously managed employee benefits through a cafeteria plan. Here's how the implementation with Mbrella actually unfolded:
Feb 2025: Start of the collaboration with Mbrella
Early March 2025: Start of the consulting project: Definition of mobility policy, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculations per employee segment and explanatory workshop with leadership to validate assumptions and scenarios
May 2025: Configuration of Mbrella platform with employees based on approved policy, budget allocation rules and mobility options set up, internal testing and adjustments
Early June 2025: Go live of Mbrella at Prothya
Other cases
Don’t take our word for it, see what others think about Mbrella.
FAQs
Every question has an answer. Can't find the answer to your question? Let us know!
Mbrella Commute is one of our modules that allows employees to log their commuting trips and order public transport subscriptions. Trips logged via the commute planner, along with our payroll integration, are automatically reimbursed. Companies can save up to 26% on public transport subscriptions through grouped orders.
Mbrella has created the first corporate mobility solution that is designed to empower employees while unburdening mobility professionals completely. Mbrella enables employees to compose their ideal mobility mix, tailor their own salaries, track their mobility spend and check their EV charging status on the go. For employers, Mbrella lets you put your entire mobility policy on auto-pilot. From automated expense approvals and kilometer allowances to pre-paid payment cards, self-service public transport orders and custom EV charging budgets, Mbrella takes the hassle out of flexible and sustainable mobility. On top of that, everything is smoothly integrated with your payroll provider to ensure the most correct payslip you’ve ever seen. Fair & flexible compensation, with no admin.
There are three plans based on the company needs. Pricing starts at €76/mo (Bronze) up to €280/mo (Gold). Custom pricing is also a possibility for bigger companies with the Enterprise plan.
Mbrella is the first corporate mobility solution that is designed to empower employees while unburdening HR professionals completely. Mbrella enables employees to compose their own ideal mobility mix and monitor their allocated budget on the go through an intuitive mobile app. Our integration with your payroll provider ensures correct remuneration. Fair & flexible compensation packages with no admin, what’s not to like? On top of that, you can track the total impact of your company’s efforts with our Carbon Tracker.
To calculate the allowed mobility budget, you need to determine the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the company car. This including all related expenses such as purchase or lease price, fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes, and depreciation. You can use the actual costs formula or the lump-sum formula. The chosen calculation method should be used consistent within your company. Mbrella can help you calculating the TCO.
Employees eligible for the Federal mobility budget must either have a company car or be eligible for one under their employer's (car) policy. The previous waiting period requirement has been removed, allowing immediate eligibility. However, the mobility budget can only available if the employer meets some requirements (See "Is my company eligible to offer the mobility budget?")
Companies eligible for the mobility budget must meet specific criteria. Primarily, they need to have made one or more company cars available to their employees for an uninterrupted period of at least 36 months immediately before implementing the mobility budget. This eligibility ensures that the mobility budget can serve as an alternative to the company car system, promoting more sustainable transportation options.
The Federal mobility budget is a flexible system allowing employees to exchange their (right to a) company car for a budget. This budget can be spent on eco-friendly cars, sustainable transport options, and housing costs. Unused budget can be received as cash at the end of the year at a favorable tax rate. This offering tax benefits and promoting sustainable mobility.