FMB celebrated its 100th anniversary last Saturday, June 22. In a packed event hall, Den Oven, in the Flemish town of Boom, colleagues, family, and business partners reflected on the past century while also looking ahead to the future. Most importantly, the evening was enjoyed with snacks, drinks, and music from the aptly named cover band, The Green Onions. "It was, in a word, wonderful," said Nick Michiels of the family-run company. "The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the venue remained well-filled throughout the evening, with attendance reaching around 220 guests."
The team of FMB/Calsa
Before the buffets were opened and the dancing began, there was time for the official program. Guests were taken on a journey through the company's history, starting at the entrance with a walk along "history lane." Here, Nick Michiels and Gerd Stijnen, now representing the fourth generation in the company, were asked about FMB's past. "Actually, it all started in 1924," Nick explained. "At that time, Frans Michiels would travel to the Brussels market with a horse and cart to sell beans, peas, and asparagus."
From these humble beginnings, the business quickly grew, with exports becoming a core focus. "That was back in 1935," added Gerd. "We started exporting to France and the Netherlands. By the 1950s, Germany and Switzerland were added, with transportation mainly by truck but also significantly by train, as refrigerated transport did not yet exist. In the 1980s, and especially after the fall of the Berlin Wall, exports expanded rapidly due to increasing demand from Chemnitz, Dresden, Leipzig, and Berlin."
FMB's business managers Gerd Stijnen and Nick Michiels elaborate on the history
When asked how they have seen vegetable exports evolve, they were clear. "Everything used to be seasonal," Nick explained. "Chicory was only available in winter, and tomatoes and cucumbers only in summer. Now, thanks to new growing techniques, vegetables are available year-round." The company's response to changing market conditions is also evident. "By maintaining high quality, demand from abroad remains strong. We can respond quickly because we are close to both the product and the production process. Along with excellent service, this is how we differentiate ourselves."
Jeroen Buyck, Charlotte Buyck, and Pol Dendauw of Calsa on the match between FMB and the group
Celebrating a 100-year anniversary is a rare achievement. After the historical journey, Pol Dendauw, along with Jeroen and Charlotte Buyck, discussed the strength of FMB, its future prospects, and its partnership with Calsa, which began in 2019. Jeroen explained, "Historically, at Calsa, we have always had strong connections with growers and focused on exports to countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Eastern Europe. Germany was a market we were less familiar with, so the partnership between FMB and Calsa made sense from the start. From the very first moment, our working methods aligned. We also found that we were a great match in terms of mentality."
Pol outlined the benefits of the collaboration. "By sharing expertise and logistics, both companies can operate more efficiently and offer a wide range of products to our customers. Additionally, our combined network strengthens our market position and enables extremely fast delivery, which is crucial in the fresh produce sector. How many companies can say that a product purchased at 6 a.m. will reach the customer by the same evening? We can, and achieving that requires a great deal of organization."
Previous generations are literally and figuratively put in the limelight. Flnr: Eliane Michiels, Ervé Jooken, Frans Michiels, Nick Michiels, Edward Michiels, Gerd Stijnen, Jos Michiels and Gerda Michiels
However, as Charlotte emphasized, becoming a bigger player does not mean losing the family spirit of both companies. "Today, the group has around 60 colleagues. For some, that may seem large, but for us, it still feels like a family business. We wouldn't be where we are without the dedication of our team. As management, we are involved in daily operations, staying connected with both customers and employees on the shop floor. That hands-on approach is essential to us."
Cover band the Green Onions urged people to the dance floor
Finally, Jeroen looked ahead to the future, acknowledging the challenges of an increasingly complex economic environment. "Regulations are becoming stricter, both from the EU and Belgium. Sometimes, it's difficult to even keep track of everything we need to comply with," he explained. "By working together, we can share expertise and take a unified approach in areas such as finance and human resources. We build strong, long-term relationships with our partners, banks, HR specialists, and insurers to ensure we stay well-informed. Our industry is extremely competitive, so we must always be highly cost-conscious in every aspect of our operations."
However, that focus on cost efficiency was set aside for one night. "Just this once, we wanted everyone to enjoy this milestone anniversary with us," Jeroen laughed.
The party went on for a long time
After the official program, guests were warmly invited to enjoy the festivities. They didn't need to be asked twice—between the buffets, a photo studio for guests to take their own pictures, a cocktail bar, and, of course, The Green Onions cover band, the party in Boom lasted well into the night. "It was a fantastic evening and a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary," was the unanimous sentiment.
Photos Nicolas Herbots
For more information:
Frans Michiels & Zn (FMB)
Kempenarestraat 50A - Bus 3
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
Tel: +32 15 560600
[email protected]
www.fmb.be
