Paul Thiers floor factory
| | | |

Paul Thiers: Wood industry visionary with a fortune of €59m

Updated on

Paul Thiers

Paul Thiersformer CEO d'Unilinan international group specializing in the production of floor coverings in woodis known for its key role in the creation of Quick Stepthe company's flagship product. Unilin was founded in the 1960s as a cooperative from a family-run flax processing business, with a large number of shareholders, including the Thiers family. The company caused a sensation in 2005 when it was sold to Mohawk Industriesan American group, for 2.2 billion euros.

Paul Thiers' Quick step on the floor

After selling Unilin, Paul Thiers reinvented himself as an investor, co-founding Pentaholda collective of five influential investors, including Filip Balcaen, Edmond Müller, Marc Saverysand Philippe Vlerickwhich focus on financing innovative start-ups. Previously, there had been discussions about a potential merger between Unilin and Balta, headed by Balcaen, which could have created a leader in the West Flanders flooring sector.

Paul Thiers real estate project for young people

Paul Thiers' expertise in the real estate development was also demonstrated by the co-founding of Iona company dedicated to various real estate projects, including corporate space, student residencesand residential developments. He is also co-founder and partner of companies such as Altior and Origisin executive search and renewable energy respectively, and Hectaproperty developer and investor.

Paul Thiers currently sits as an independent director on a number of boards, including Deceuninck NVlisted company, Accent-Jobs for People, Vergokan and d'Artagnan. He is also a member of the Museum D'Hondt-Dhaenens.

wind turbine placed by origis and Paul Thiers
Sector of activityPositions
Houtgroep (Wood Group)Former CEO (Unilin), Co-founder (Tipavan)
InvestmentsFounder (Pentahold), Partner (Altior, Origis, Hecta)
Real estateCo-founder (Ion), Projects in Belgium
Corporate governanceIndependent Director, Member of the Executive Committee (MDD)

With growing assets valued at 59,109,500 euroshe ranks in the Top 400 of Belgian fortunes, with a notable presence at Knokke.

Similar Posts

  • Bart Versluys: Since 1908, the Rise of a Belgian Real Estate Empire

    Bart Versluys, head of Versluys Bouwgroep, has transformed the family business, steeped in history since 1908, into a titan of Belgian real estate. With over 7,200 apartments built along the coast and a bold expansion into large-scale projects thanks to the partnership with Marc Coucke, Versluys is redefining the urban landscape.

  • Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick: The 41-Million-Euro Titanic Empire in Senior Care

    Frank Bamelis and Bart Vanderschrick, founders of Senior Assist in 2006, have built an empire in the elderly care sector, valued at over 41 million euros. Their company manages 32 residential care centers and 147 assisted living facilities in Belgium, accommodating nearly 2,800 residents and employing 1,800 people. Despite international expansion and service diversification, Senior Assist encountered financial difficulties in 2017, leading to the sale of certain assets. The company, structured with a plurality of shareholders and present in Luxembourg, illustrates the challenges and opportunities of the senior care sector, which is constantly evolving to meet the needs of an aging population.

  • Cordeel Group: Family Construction Empire with 87M€ - Excellence since 1934

    Discover the inspiring story of the Cordeel Group, which started out as a joinery workshop in 1934 and became a European construction giant with a family fortune of 87 million euros. A saga of growth, innovation and legal challenges overcome, underlining the Cordeel family's commitment to quality and sustainability.

  • Maes Family: Rise of a 1-Billion-Euro Belgian Oil Giant - A Family Epic

    Discover the fascinating story of Famille Maes, started by Jef Maes in the 60s and now a leading distributor of petroleum products in Belgium with sales of 1 billion euros. A family saga crowned by the acquisition by Dutch group De Haan in 2023, bearing witness to constant growth and innovation in the sector.