Mintjens Family: 120M€ of Oak Expertise and Sustainable Strategy

Overview Mintjens family

The Mintjens, a family rooted in the furniture industry in FlandersMintjens, established their reputation in the sector thanks to their predilection for high-quality wood, particularly oak. This choice of material, vigorously defended by one of the brothers, Karel Mintjens, has enabled the company to survive in an industry that has become increasingly rare in the region. Karel, before becoming an industrial leader, had made a name for himself in cycling, supporting other cyclists rather than seeking personal glory.

Sustainable approach:

• Forest management: The oak used requires a century of growth before it can be cut down, implying responsible forest management to ensure a sustainable forest.
• Reasoned cuts: Felling mature trees is an essential ecological practice to avoid an overabundance of dead trees that can damage the soil and the surrounding ecosystem.

Leadership transition:

• After the death of Karel Mintjens in 1993, the baton was passed to his children, Tania and Carl, with Carl eventually becoming the head of the family group, renamed Mintjens Group.

Separation of assets:

• To secure their assets, the family separated their wealth from industrial risk via the Kima investment company, which today has capital of around 120 million eurosinvested in entities such as KBC, GIMV and Resilux.

Community and sports implications:

• Participation in Antwerp FC: The Mintjens are linked to the city of Antwerp through the family's land holdings, which are essential to Antwerp FC's stadium development projects.
• Interaction with the public and authorities: Dialogue with fans, the fans' federation and political figures such as Mayor Bart De Wever is crucial in the process of modernizing the stadium and developing new projects.

Confidentiality vs. transparency:

• While managing a substantial estate, the family faces the challenge of maintaining a balance between the transparency required by their public status and the desire to preserve their privacy.

Investment and growth:

• Expansion: The family group is committed to growing their business through strategic investment.
• Inheritance and succession: The resilient management decisions taken by Tania and Carl Mintjens reflect not only the value of this heritage, but also the adaptability necessary for survival in today's market.