steel production by an employee of the Holvoet family

The Holvoet Family: From Steel Transformation to a Fortune of 66 Million Euros

The Holvoet family, with roots in Belgium and France, has built a fortune estimated at over 66 million euros thanks to its expertise in steel processing. With solid bases in Aalbeke and Kortrijk, the family business excels in steel processing and the production of steel structures. Find out how the Holvoets have leveraged new technologies and an innovation-driven customer strategy to become a major player in the metal industry.

logo of the democo company of the Demot and Houben families

The Demot and Houben Families: How they transformed Democo into a 65 million euro empire

The Demot and Houben families were the founding pillars of Democo, a major construction group based in Hasselt. Since its creation in 1977 by Cyriel Demot, Frans Houben, and Mario Longhi, the company has prospered under the leadership of Philip Demot, reaching sales of 250 to 300 million euros. Discover how these families built a fortune of 65 million euros by transforming Democo into a diversified and influential company in the construction industry.

PHOTO BY Philippe Vlerick on black background

Philippe Vlerick: How a Belgian Visionary Built a 197 Million Euro Empire

Philippe Vlerick, a leading figure in the Belgian financial world, has successfully navigated economic and industrial challenges to build a fortune estimated at 197 million euros. His journey, marked by strategic acquisitions, judicious investments and a commitment to innovation, illustrates how a visionary can build a lasting empire. Discover how Philippe Vlerick has turned challenges into opportunities and maintained a leading influence in the Belgian economy.

Building the Willemen family

Willemen family: the 750-million-euro construction empire undergoing a metamorphosis

The Willemen family, at the head of a construction empire estimated at 750 million euros in annual sales, is navigating through a crucial period of transformation. Founded by Johan Willemen, the Willemen Group has established itself as a construction giant in Belgium, with over 2,100 employees. Despite recent challenges, including a loss of 35 million euros in 2022, the company is demonstrating its resilience by refocusing on the Belgian market. With a family fortune in excess of 53 million euros, the Willemen are a perfect example of how a family business can adapt to the turbulence of the construction sector, while maintaining its leading position in key areas such as infrastructure and real estate.

Wibo family steelworks

Wibo family: 87-million-euro industrial empire forged in steel

The Wibo family, at the head of the Vlassenroot Group, has built an industrial empire worth an estimated 87 million euros in large-scale steel processing. Founded in 1926 as a simple forge, the company has evolved under the management of Jean-Charles Wibo into a European leader in steel machine production. With plants in Belgium, Germany and Poland, Vlassenroot excels in the manufacture of heavy hydraulic cranes and steel structures for iconic projects such as Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge. Beyond Vlassenroot, Jean-Charles Wibo is diversifying into building materials distribution and industrial laundry services, consolidating the Wibo family's industrial heritage.