VALBOFOR | A LEGACY TEMPERED BY TIME
OUR ROOTS:
WORKING
WITH WOOD BEFORE TRADING IT
The origins of the Holvoet group lie in making, not trading. After the Second World War, Robert Holvoet, the son of a carpenter, opened a small woodworking shop in West Flanders. The business focused on craftsmanship, precision, and practical knowledge of wood. As his sons — Dirk, Jo, Bart, and Marnix joined, the workshop grew into Holvoet Gebroeders (“Holvoet Brothers”), remaining a family-run operation with hands-on work at its core.
In 1997, Robert’s grandson David Holvoet entered the company. Under his leadership, the business expanded beyond carpentry into multiple segments of the wood industry, extending from local production to international activities while maintaining technical expertise in wood.
Forest exploitation is managed through Valbofor. Originally operating as Prime Forests, it was restructured and renamed to emphasize long-term management of high-quality hardwood forests in France.
Valbofor focuses on selective harvesting, responsible forest management, and careful handling of wood throughout the process.
Robert Holvoet is born and his dad teaches him the craft of being a carpenter as did his father’s, father before him.
Pre‑1945
Robert’s sons join the business, which becomes Holvoet Gebroeders.
Following decades
First forest‑related activities launched under Solid International, initially focused on trading.
2001
Strategic anchoring in French hardwood forests leads to the creation of Valbofor.
2022 – present
Post‑WWII
Robert Holvoet establishes a woodworking shop during the reconstruction period.
1997
David Holvoet joins the company and begins expanding activities across the wood industry.
2017
Forest exploitation activities are separated into Prime Forests, including acquisitions of standing timber.
HONORING FORESTS
Forest Stewardship
Protecting our forests (assets) with long-term management and exploitation plans and partnering with ecologically mindful forests across Europe.
Craft-Driven Selection
Selective felling & mindful exploitation.
Long-Term Responsibility
EUDR compliance rooted in genuine care, not just rules.
Horse skidding causes far less soil and tree damage than mechanical skidders, allows precise single-tree extraction in sensitive or difficult terrain, avoids roads, fuel, and emissions, and preserves long-term forest health—at the cost of speed and volume.
For Valbofor, wood is a living, infinite resource – if managed properly – that is shaped by time, soil, and careful cultivation. We collaborate with certified European forests, practicing ecologically mindful harvesting. We refrain from logging during bird nesting periods and periods of excess rain. We are mindful of forest soil and repair forest grounds after exploitation. We selectively cut timber respecting century old traditions such as felling trees during the waning moon to reduce sap content.
Clear cut is only considered when it is done out of protective measures while exceeding EUDR compliance. With long-term dedication, we protect the forest ecosystems that we own and secure renewable timber resources for the future.
OUR PRODUCTS
European White Oak
French oak is defined by slow growth, high tannin content, and centuries of managed forests, resulting in tight grain, consistent quality, warm color, and superior long-term performance.
European Ash
Sourced from fertile European forests, producing straight grain, high elasticity, and impact resistance, with a light appearance and a relatively small, darker heartwood.
Red Oak
Introduced in Europe in the late 17th century, Red Oak is a fast growing hardwood with pronounced open grain, strong mechanical properties and a warm reddish tone suited for interior applications.
European Beech
Sourced from managed Western European forests, producing uniform structure, consistent light color and stable processing characteristics with lower internal defects.
European Poplar
Engineered through advanced clone selection and plantation management, delivering straight, homogeneous and lightweight timber with excellent processing efficiency and high veneer yield.
Spruce
Widely available European softwood with straight, fine grain, lightweight structure and an excellent strength to weight ratio, making it the benchmark material for structural applications and efficient processing.
Larch
Dense, resin rich softwood combining high mechanical strength with natural durability and weather resistance, delivering a robust, long lasting solution for demanding exterior applications.
