Baeten & C° - History

Pioneers in fats and oils since 1815

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1815

From horsepower to steam power

Think back to 1815. When Napoleon met his final defeat at Waterloo, Emmanuel Baeten purchased a few parcels of land in Overmere, a village east of Ghent. Between 1815 and 1834, horses powered a mill to press oil from linseed. The oil was used for paint and linoleum.

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Baeten & Co began as an oil mill, first powered by horses and later by steam.

1834

In 1834 – just after Belgium gained its independence – Baeten & Co built a windmill to press oil from linseed and rapeseed. However its yield was limited, and so 16 years later we switched to steam power. At the peak of the industrial revolution, we built an impressive installation driven by six horses. The 18-metre high, square chimney (which once measured 25 metres) still takes pride of place on our company premises as a reminder of our glorious industrial past. In 1905, a second, entirely steam-driven machine was introduced on site.

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1945

From oil mill to refinery

Shortly after the Second World War, in 1947, a fire put an end to the activities of our oil mill. Baeten & Co rose from the ashes as a refinery. Since the late sixties, we have been dedicated to the processing of animal fats. The chip shops that have cropped up everywhere are our most important sales market. In the ensuing decades, we have optimised our production process to keep satisfying the highest demands in terms of service, quality and ecology.

Baeten web portret Frans Jan

Family portrait from 1934 of Frans Baeten with Jan Baeten.

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Our family company is now more than two centuries old. Matthias Baeten, a member of the seventh generation, is currently at the helm. He is supported by a committed and passionate team that keeps growing. Baeten & Co is still based on its original company premises in Overmere.

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Our animal and vegetable fats and oils are mainly used in the food industry. Bakeries, restaurants and of course the traditional Belgian chip shops swear by Baeten & Co's fat. But our fats and oils have an enthusiastic clientele in various non-food sectors too – such as manufacturers of cosmetics, soap and candles.

A family company over 7 generations

  • Jan Baeten
    1698—1774
  • Johannes Baeten
    1774—1814
  • Emmanuel Baeten
    1814—1842
  • Jan Francis Baeten
    1842—1867
    x Joanna Van Heymbeek
    1867—1899
  • Achiel Baeten
    1899—1931
  • Frans & Emiel Baeten
    1931—1964
  • Etienne & Jan Baeten
    1964—1993
  • Etienne Baeten
    1964—2020
  • Matthias Baeten
    2007—heden
Baeten Portret Johannes Franciscus Baeten
Jan Francis
Baeten
Baeten Portret Van Heymbeeck
Joanna
Van Heymbeek
Baeten Portret Achiel Baeten
Achiel
Baeten
Baeten Portret Frans Baeten
Frans
Baeten
Baeten Portret Etienne Baeten
Etienne
Baeten
Baeten Portret Matthias Baeten
Matthias
Baeten

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