History

A family business that is personally involved

Omnicol is a true family business, and this comes with its advantages. Values that are often overlooked nowadays are firmly anchored in the company—values such as keeping promises and customer orientation.

New Products and Techniques

Building materials are scarce in the post-World War II reconstruction era. In 1956, a group of potato farmers from Groningen discovers that good (construction) glue can be made from potato starch. They name the glue Omnicol, literally translated as the glue that can 'glue everything.' In 1965, Omnicol becomes part of Royal Scholten-Honig, originally a food factory. Meanwhile, in Vught, Cor de Bever works as a plasterer for his own small plastering business, contributing significantly to the reconstruction of the Netherlands. His business is continued in the late fifties by his two sons, Ad and Thieu, or as they call themselves, employees number 6 and 7!

They expand their father's plastering business by working with new products and techniques, such as gluing cellular concrete. Additionally, the brothers experiment with plasterboard, a novelty in the industry. They are so successful that in 1969, they establish a plasterboard factory in Weelde (B).

The Third Generation Takes Over

In 1976, Royal Scholten-Honig refocuses on core activities and divests Omnicol. The company then comes under the ownership of the De Bever family. In the meantime, Ad in Belgium focuses more on researching, developing, and producing Omnicol products, while Thieu is involved in building systems, guidance, advice, and their distribution in the Netherlands. When Ad retires in 1996, his only child Niels takes over his part of the business. In the same decade, Thieu's six children buy him out, giving the third generation of De Bever control over Omnicol. Unfortunately, in 1999, Niels tragically dies at the age of 36 in a helicopter crash in the mountains. However, the family ensures that the company continues to exist.

Omnicol Grows Internationally

In recent decades, most family members have given up their active roles in the business. Felix de Bever remains as the director and still consults with the rest of the family. The flat organizational structure ensures short communication lines, quick responses, and ongoing innovations. The latter is done from the headquarters in Weelde (Belgium), where production and R&D are also based. Products find their way to customers from sales offices in Ham (Belgium) and 's-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands). In addition to Belgium and the Netherlands, we are also the premium choice in Luxembourg, Greece, the Antilles, Suriname, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

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