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

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Maes family

Carburants Maes, founded in the 1960s by Jozef "Jef" Maes, began as a local company specializing in the sale ofe lubricants Beverol-Oil garages and industries. Over time, their offering expanded to include heating oil for individual consumers. The evolution accelerated and led to the inauguration of the first free company pumps in the 70s and the Maes family has a fortune of over 137 million euros.

Francis Wanten petrol station

The 1980s saw the integration of Dirk, followed by Luc Maes, into the company, spurring the creation of a local network of service stations under the Maes brand. The green and red of their logo became a recognizable symbol in the region.

Maes' significant expansion took shape in 2013, when oil company ExxonMobil has chosen withdraw from the management of its Esso service stations in Belgium. Maes seized this opportunity to acquire 30 Esso stations in the Antwerp and Flemish Brabant areas, optimizing margins through bulk purchasing thanks to this expansion.

Maes family gas station

Maes has firmly established itself as un independent oil distributor in Belgiumproviding a full range of petroleum products and services. In 2021, the company achieved sales of one billion euros. In 2023, management of the company changed hands when the Maes brothers sold their family business to the Dutch group De Haan and the Maes family made a fortune from the sale.

Fuel transport for the Maes family
  • Head officeBornem, Belgium
  • Current positionCarburants Maes is one of Belgium's leading independent distributors of petroleum products.
  • Key developments: The withdrawal of ExxonMobil has enabled Maes to expand its network with the takeover of 30 Esso stations.
  • Sales 20211 billion euros
  • Recent acquisitionSale of the company to the Dutch De Haan family in 2023.

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