Robert Hoornaert: From Civil Engineer to Construction Emperor with an Estate Worth Over 130 Million Euros
Robert Hoornaert
The fortune of Robert Hoornaert, estimated at €134,573,000, illustrates the rise of the Artes Group, the construction company based in Bruges. The company's reputation is growing, and its current market position is ranked TOP 190 in Belgium. Hoornaert, a civil engineer by training from Zeebrugge, began his professional career at the company. at Royal Belge and Roegiers in Kruibeke. The decisive transformation for Roegiers took place in July 1989, when Paribas, the company's owner at the time, sold its non-essential holdings.
This was followed by a management buy-out (MBO), backed by Hoornaert himself to the tune of 20 %. At that time, the company consisted of three separate companies: Roegiers, TWT in Wallonia, and Depret in Zeebrugge, which together formed the Artes Group. In 2010, Hoornaert acquired a majority stake in the Artes Group, integrating restoration specialist Woudenberg de Bruges and Torhout-based construction company Vanhaerents.
Hoornaert describes his path to majority ownership as a natural progression in his career. After joining the company as as a minority partner in 2000, He quickly realized that the debts incurred could be repaid promptly, which reinforced his confidence in transforming his minor investment into a majority shareholding, thus benefiting from the group's profitability. Robert Hoornaert has assets estimated at over 130 million euros.
Artes Group : Key factors
- Founder: Robert Hoornaert
- Sector: Building and construction
- Location: Bruges
- Evolution : Positive growth
- Highlight: Expansion through strategic acquisitions
