Lemahieu Group, a company with roots tracing back to 1911, stands as a significant player in the timber and wood processing industry. Headquartered in Belgium, this family-owned business has evolved over a century, demonstrating a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.1 Their operations encompass a wide range of activities, from importing and processing timber and panels to offering specialized treatments like fire retardancy and thermal modification.2 By integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern technologies, Lemahieu has carved a niche for itself, catering to the diverse needs of the timber trade, the wood processing industry, and the DIY sector, both domestically and internationally.3
Historical Overview and Core Values
Founded on a legacy of wood knowledge and craftsmanship, Lemahieu Group has consistently prioritized innovation, quality, and customization.4 These values are deeply embedded in their operational ethos, driving their continuous pursuit of excellence in their machinery and product offerings. The company’s long-standing history in the industry has provided them with invaluable expertise, allowing them to adapt to market changes and technological advancements while maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction.
As a family business, Lemahieu emphasizes collaboration and strong relationships with its stakeholders.5 This approach fosters a sense of trust and reliability, which is crucial in the timber industry where long-term partnerships are highly valued.6 Their commitment to providing high-quality timber and panels, coupled with excellent customer service, underscores their mission to be a dependable and leading supplier in the market.7
Diverse Divisions and Specialized Offerings
Lemahieu Group operates through several specialized divisions, each focusing on distinct aspects of wood processing and treatment.8 This structure allows them to offer a comprehensive range of products and services, leveraging the unique expertise within each division.9
1. Lemahieu Timber: This division forms the core of the group’s activities, focusing on the import and processing of a wide variety of timber.10 Their deep understanding of different wood species and their applications enables them to advise customers on the best choices for various projects, including construction, hydraulic engineering, façade cladding, decking, and interior design. Lemahieu Timber’s state-of-the-art machinery allows for precise planing and CNC machining, ensuring that timber products meet exact specifications and high-quality standards.11
2. Lemahieu Fire Protection: Recognizing the growing importance of fire safety in construction, this division specializes in providing fire-retardant treatments for timber products.12 Utilizing the Burnblock® method in their autoclave under pressure, they can treat timber to achieve reaction-to-fire classes up to B-s1,d0, meeting stringent European standards (EN 13501).13 This capability makes timber a viable and safe option for both indoor and outdoor applications, offering architects and builders the opportunity to use natural and sustainable materials without compromising safety. The Burnblock® treatment is notable for being 100% natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic, aligning with Lemahieu’s commitment to environmental responsibility.14 They offer this treatment for a variety of wood species, including pine, cedar, Siberian larch, Accoya, ThermoWood® Ayous, ThermoWood® Fraké, and Padouk, and also provide the service to third parties.
3. Lempän Panels: This division focuses on the import and distribution of a diverse range of panel products.15 Beyond standard options, Lempän offers specialized panels such as Okoume plywood and MDF TRICOYA EXTREME from MEDITE.16 These products cater to applications requiring specific properties like water resistance and high durability, expanding the possibilities for using engineered wood in various construction and design projects.
4. LDCwood Thermowood: A 50/50 joint venture with Decolvenaere Houtimport, LDCwood® has been a market leader in Belgium for the production of ThermoWood® since 2016.17 Thermal modification is a process that enhances the properties of wood, improving its durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to decay and insects.18 LDCwood® offers ThermoWood® solutions for façade and wall cladding, furniture, and other applications, available planed, coated, and fire-retardant treated.19 They work with various wood species like ash, deal, ayous, fraké, and poplar, and all their products are certified with OLB, FSC®, or PEFC, ensuring sustainable sourcing.
5. Jenowood: Serving as the sales point for all Lemahieu and LDCwood wood products in the Netherlands, Jenowood ensures that their extensive range of high-quality timber and panels is readily accessible to the Dutch market.20 This strategic presence allows Lemahieu Group to effectively cater to the needs of customers in the Netherlands, providing local expertise and support.
Innovation at the Forefront
Innovation is a cornerstone of Lemahieu Group’s strategy for growth and sustainability. They continuously invest in modern machinery and environmentally sound practices to enhance their product offerings and minimize their environmental impact.21 Their state-of-the-art machinery park, powered by green electricity from solar panels and utilizing rainwater, exemplifies their commitment to sustainable operations.22
The development and application of Burnblock® fire retardant treatment showcase their innovative approach to enhancing the functionality of wood.23 By offering a natural and effective fire protection solution, Lemahieu is expanding the potential uses of timber in construction while adhering to stringent safety standards.24
Furthermore, their involvement in thermal modification through LDCwood® demonstrates their dedication to improving the properties and lifespan of wood products.25 ThermoWood®’s enhanced durability and stability make it a sustainable alternative to less environmentally friendly materials in various applications.26
Lemahieu Group also embraces technological advancements in their processing capabilities, including advanced planing and CNC machining.27 These technologies allow for precise customization of timber and panels, meeting the specific requirements of their clients and enabling the creation of complex and tailored wood solutions.
Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is deeply integrated into Lemahieu Group’s operations, reflecting a responsible approach to environmental stewardship.28 Their commitment is evident in several key areas:
1. Certified Sourcing: Lemahieu carefully selects both solid wood and engineered timber, ensuring that their materials are sourced from sustainably managed forests. They hold FSC® and PEFC certifications, which guarantee that the wood comes from forests that are managed to meet environmental, social, and economic standards.29 This commitment to responsible sourcing helps to combat deforestation and promotes healthy forest ecosystems.
2. Green Energy and Resource Management: The company invests in green energy by utilizing solar power at their facilities.30 This reduces their reliance on fossil fuels and lowers their carbon footprint. Additionally, they employ rainwater harvesting systems, conserving water resources and minimizing their impact on local water supplies.
3. Eco-Friendly Treatments: The use of Burnblock®, a 100% natural and non-toxic fire retardant, highlights their preference for environmentally friendly solutions.31 Similarly, thermal modification through LDCwood® is a chemical-free process that enhances wood’s properties, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments for durability and preservation.32
4. Waste Reduction and Recycling: While not explicitly detailed in the provided information, it is reasonable to infer that a company with such a strong focus on sustainability would also implement practices to minimize waste in their processing operations and recycle wood byproducts whenever possible. Efficient use of materials and responsible disposal are likely integral to their environmental strategy.
5. Partnerships for Sustainability: Their collaboration with Accsys Technologies as a stocking distributor for Accoya® wood in Belgium and Luxembourg further underscores their commitment to sustainable materials.33 Accoya® wood is known for its high performance and environmental benefits, being produced through the acetylation of sustainably sourced timber.34 This partnership allows Lemahieu to offer an even wider range of eco-friendly and durable wood solutions to their customers.
Quality Assurance and Customer Focus
Lemahieu Group places a strong emphasis on quality throughout their operations, from the sourcing of raw materials to the processing and delivery of finished products.35 Their experienced sales team provides tailored advice, ensuring that customers receive the most suitable timber and panel products for their specific applications.36 The company’s large stocks in their covered storage areas in Ghent, Antwerp, and Ostend enable them to offer quick and reliable service, meeting the demands of a diverse clientele.37
Their extensive range of machinery is maintained to the highest standards, ensuring precision and quality in all processing activities, including planing, CNC machining, impregnation, and coating.38 This technological capability, combined with their deep knowledge of wood, allows them to create tailored solutions for the specialized timber trade with precision and passion.39
Lemahieu’s commitment to customer service extends beyond just supplying products.40 They strive to build strong, long-lasting relationships with their stakeholders by offering expert advice, customized solutions, and reliable support.41 Their goal is to achieve excellent customer satisfaction by consistently providing high-quality timber and panels and by being a dependable partner in their clients’ projects.42
Industry Impact and Future Directions
With over a century of experience, Lemahieu Group has established itself as a significant and reliable partner in the timber and panel industry.43 Their focus on adding value to wood through processing, treatment, and customization has allowed them to cater to a wide range of sectors, from construction and manufacturing to DIY and design.
The increasing demand for sustainable building materials positions Lemahieu well for future growth. Their commitment to FSC® and PEFC certified sourcing, green energy use, and eco-friendly treatments aligns with global trends towards environmental responsibility in the construction and manufacturing industries.44 The growing recognition of timber as a sustainable alternative to more carbon-intensive materials is likely to further drive demand for their products and services.
Continuous innovation will be crucial for Lemahieu to maintain its competitive edge. Investing in research and development to explore new wood treatments, processing techniques, and sustainable practices will enable them to meet evolving market needs and environmental standards. Collaborations and partnerships, such as their joint venture with Decolvenaere Houtimport and their distribution agreement with Accsys, will also play a vital role in expanding their product range and market reach.
The future for Lemahieu Group likely involves a continued focus on sustainability, innovation, and customer-centric solutions. By leveraging their deep industry knowledge and adapting to technological and environmental changes, they are poised to remain a key player in the timber and wood processing sector for years to come. Their ability to integrate traditional craftsmanship with modern advancements, all while upholding a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, sets them apart and provides a solid foundation for future success.45
