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

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Wibo family and Jean-Charles Wibo

Fortune : € 87 072 000
Activity : Production of steel machines
Head office Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium

Jean Charles Wibo from the Wibo family
Jean-Charles Wibo

The Vlassenroot Group sees itself as the market leader in large-scale steel processing. Founded in 1926 as a simple forge, the company has evolved over the years. under the aegis of Jean-Charles Wibo, who acquired family shares in 1996.

In 1966, the company built a new factory in Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium, marking its entry as a manufacturer of heavy machinery. Vlassenroot installed Europe's longest press brake at 24 meters, as well as its most powerful press at 4,000 tons. In 1999, the group acquired the German KSK Group and expanded its operations with the founding of Vlassenroot GmbH in Bochum, Germany, and Vlassenroot Polska in Poland.

Vlassenroot company logo
Vlassenroot logo

Plants and production processes

  • Belgium, Groot-Bijgaarden Laser cutting and bending
  • Germany, Schwerte Assembly of long components
  • Germany, Bochum Production of long components, welding of collars and other parts on crane segments, application of the base coat
  • Poland, Gliwice : Production of small parts for crane arms, crane frames and slewing platforms
The erasmus bridge built by Vlassenroot and the wibo family
Erasmus Rotterdam Bridge

In addition to welding and bending machines, Vlassenroot manufactures heavy hydraulic cranes and steel constructions such as "silent bridges", which reduce noise pollution. Notable projects include the Erasmus in Rotterdamin the Netherlandsand the Millau Viaduct in France. The Group is also involved in construction projects of outstanding architectural design, such as the new courthouse in Antwerp and the new Terminal 2E at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.

Viaduct Milieu in France built by Vlassenroot
Millau viaduct in France

Other Jean-Charles Wibo activities

Jean-Charles Wibo is also involved in Buildmat NV, which is a combination of Deschacht Plastics NV and Collinet NV, focusing mainly on the distribution of building materials. In addition, he is associated with Wasbedrijf Dekeukelaere, a company specializing in the rental and care of linen (table linen, bed linen, terry towelling, etc.) and professional clothing. the Wibo dynasty has built an empire worth over 87 million euros.

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