Farewell to Valère Maes: Founder of Maes Compressors & Machinery Resale
It is with deep respect and gratitude that we bid farewell to Valère Maes, founder of Maes Compressors and Maes Werkhuizen, forerunners of Machinery Resale and Fimatec. His strength, perseverance and inexhaustible commitment are the foundation on which our companies continue to build. Valère Maes lives on in our values and inspires us to continue with the same dedication and passion.
A life in the Service of Technology
Valère started his professional career in 1956 at Dossche in Deinze, where he became master gast at the age of 21. At 31, he joined Atlas Copco where he was a service technician for East and West Flanders. This is where his passion for compressed air was born.
1978: Took the step to entrepreneurship by founding his own company, initially focusing on servicing stationary compressors and air pressure installations. He soon became a dealer for Ingersoll Rand.
1980: Monique van Meirhaeghe, his wife, strengthened the company and assumed essential roles in purchasing and administration. Thanks to her, a solid foundation was laid for further growth. Valère did the engineering and Monique ran the administration and made sure the invoices were paid.
1985-1990: Rental activities were started, with portable compressors to offer customers flexible solutions during maintenance and repair work. The company experienced steady growth with a core team of three employees in 1990.
1992-1998: Valère and Monique their son Filip joined the company. Maes Compressors developed as a professional partner for industrial compressors, including the installation of air pressure systems, including innovative compressed air piping in extruded aluminum.
2000-2007: The market demanded take-back of used compressors, and Maes Compressors began exporting used compressors. In 2007, this activity led to the creation of Machinery Resale, an independent company that grew into a key player in the sale of used construction equipment, specializing in mobile and stationary compressors.
2011-2017: Machinery Resale expanded its services to include the international fleet of compressors for rental and moved to its current prime location in Waregem in 2012. In 2017, Fimatec was founded to meet the demand for new mobile compressors, generators and associated equipment. Fimatec specializes in sales, rental and service of Atlas Copco and Ibix, among others.
Legacy and Future.
Valère's strength, commitment and vision are the thread that runs through the success of our companies; his moto was, "There is no such thing as not going, it must go. His legacy inspires us to build on what he started with the same drive, and continue to build on it. We are grateful for all he taught us and honor his memory by upholding his values and allowing the companies to grow and prosper for the third generation.