Trebos

The steel plant ‘Usines Gustave Boël’ celebrated in 1951 its hundredth anniversary. After having successively recovered from the events during the first World War of 1914-1918, the economic crisis of the thirties and the second World War of 1940-1945, those responsible for this company wondered in what direction the indispensable expansion of their production had to go, especially for the wire rod.

Until then all wire rod was sold as raw material to other companies in Belgium and abroad. For the long products the steel plant at La Louvière limited its production to steel making and hot rolling and left the further exploitation and sales of wire products to third parties. During all those difficult years a good relation with the wire drawing plants formed the basis of an equilibrated and constructive development.

Concerned about the future of the wire rod rolling mill and in order to avoid isolation from the market of the finished article, closer relations were developed with an independent wire drawing company, the company ‘Trefac’ at Rijmenam. They were asked to associate with a wire drawing company for low carbon steel. In mutual agreement, this association was accepted and on 24 April 1951, the independent company ‘Trebos’ was founded. The ultimate goal of this company was the development and production of soft steel low carbon wire products as there are: bright wire, galvanised wire, wire nails, barbed wire and wire fences.

But 1951 was also the start of the European Community of Coal and Steel. The wire market evolved towards a less restricted export market and toward a stronger development of the European Market. This fundamental change occurred of course only during the following years and Trebos went its own way, especially regarding the ribbed wire, the product with the highest volume on the European market. Aware of the fundamental importance of Trebos for the rolling mill at La Louvière, U.G.Boël acquired full control of Trebos. Trefac withdrew completely and even left the drawing activities of the high carbon wire to Trebos.

Situated halfway between Antwerp and La Louvière, in the vicinity of several European motorways, the location of Trebos was initially chosen because of the high degree of unemployment in this region. Trebos was one of the first companies to contribute to the development of this region.

From the first of July 1997 until June 1999 U.G.Boël was taken over by Royal Hoogovens from Ijmuiden in the Netherlands. 

Since 17 June 1999 we are part of Duferco La Louvière

We are very proud of our division and in order to challenge foreign competition it is necessary to produce quality products at a competitive price. This requires a continuous effort from all employees, executives of the senior staff, commercial contacts and members of the parent company. This parent company is willing to financially support every improvement, even during difficult periods in the steel business.