1899 to 1945: From local manufacturer and supplier to the soap and cattle feed industries to nationwide producer of consumer oil

The first factory (Izegem - Belgium, 1899) processed linseed and coleseed for the soap and cattle feed industries, focusing on the regional market. The production of consumer oil got underway when the first refinery was taken into operation. A step which very soon prompted further expansion...

In Izegem, the first factory was built by Mr. Constant Vandemoortele, together with his son Adhémar. The factory focused on the local market, exclusively processing linseed and coleseed into cattle feed. In 1912, the factory was conveyed into the hands of Messrs Adhémar and Edgard Vandemoortele. In 1914, the enterprise was re-incorporated under the title of "Adhémar and Edgard Vandemoortele".

(photo : Adhémar Vandemoortele)

It was not until 1936 when the production of consumer oils really got underway with the taking into operation of the first refinery, a step which soon compelled further expansion. Raw vegetable oil was processed into refined kitchen oil which was supplied in drums. Just before the outbreak of WW II, "Huileries Vandemoortele N.V." already ensured well over 20% of the total Belgian kitchen oil production. During that same time span, a new installation was built for hardening oil and extracting oilseeds.

(Photo : Huileries Vandemoortele)