Desiré Engels and his wife set up an independent electricity store under the name D. Engels. The small electricity store is located on Stijfselrui where our warehouses can be found to this day. Despite the crisis of the 1930s, the store quickly becomes an established business in Antwerp.
The electricity and lamp store moves from Stijfselrui to the more important commercial street Paardenmarkt, where the modern equipped showroom is still located today.
After the war, modernization works are carried out and the expansion of warehouses and store is gradually considered. The purchase of the adjacent premises was the logical consequence and formed the basis for further future expansion. Meanwhile, the second generation was also active in the business and D. Engels gradually grew into a real family business.
Desiré's sons, Oscar and Edmond, buy the business from their father. The 2 brothers see things bigger and establish the wholesale business. Initially, D. Engels distributes electric heating, hot water boilers and stoves. Thanks to the pioneering work of D. Engels and the strong propaganda of the power supply companies, these appliances had their breakthrough on the Belgian market.
Thanks to an extensive network, the organizations D. Engels and Dimplex found each other. By having the necessary experience in electric heating, D. Engels proves to be the ideal partner for Dimplex to become an importer of the brand in Belgium. This important strategic choice will later continue in the creation of Thermo Comfort.
In this demanding time, we have our own fleet of vehicles and administration is done on our own computer. In addition, the Engels Group continues to expand. The extensive ranges of the leading brands are displayed in the 300-square-meter showroom. The Dimplex information evenings grow into a true tradition and strengthen the good relationship with our customers. The personal approach and focus on training as expressed in our vision are already being implemented here with conviction.
The third generation of the Engels family shows interest in joining the continuously growing family business. There are currently 17 employees, 8 of whom are family members.
The young wind brought by the third generation nurtures the ambition to keep growing. Both the wholesaler and Thermo Comfort are constantly looking for range extensions. Thermo Comfort is already the reference for the distribution and service of electric heating and hot water heaters.
The Engels Group is strongly committed to always keeping as many services in-house as possible in order to maintain control over quality. Thus, at the end of 1982, its own IT system, System 34 from IBM was launched. By writing its own customized programs, the Engels Group can still today adapt its system flexibly to the needs of its employees.
Thermo Comfort once again expands its range and becomes an importer of air conditioning in Belgium, thanks to a partnership with the international brand Amcor.
In the 1990s, there is more and more talk about renewable energy. Thermo Comfort wants to be a trendsetter in this again. Strengthened by Dimplex, we can introduce affordable heat pumps in the Belgian market at an early stage.
Thermo Comfort replaces the range of air conditioning and becomes importer of LG in Belgium. Thanks to the good support of LG Air Conditioning, Thermo Comfort soon becomes the knowledge center of choice for many refrigeration technicians. This also strengthens Thermo Comfort's position as HVAC importer in the Belgian market.
Due to the existing knowledge and experience, new opportunities also present themselves. When the opportunity arises to become the exclusive importer in Belgium of HI-MACS Natural Acrylic Stone™, a new division within the Engels Group is established, Engels Design and Decoration. Thanks to our distinguished position, Engels Design and Decoration can successfully launch this premium Solid Surface product in the Belgian market.
The landscape in the electrical market is constantly changing and electrical wholesalers are also challenged to come up with creative solutions. With the creation of the purchasing organizations Electroservice and Electrocook, D. Engels aims to respond to the growing number of purchasing groups.
The Engels Group continues to grow continuously without taking any major risks. Turnover across the 3 divisions has reached the 30 million euro mark and more than 70 employees are ready every day to provide the best possible service.
The fourth generation of the Engels family is entering the family business. Like their parents, they have the ambition to grow the Engels Group even further.
The Engels Group profiles itself more than ever before as 1 grouping and hereby launches its vision and values. However, the vision of the Engels Group to always offer the best possible service, support and cooperation to its customers is not new. It only explicitly confirms what the Engels Group has stood for for years in order to form a solid cradle for the future.
Engels Design and Decoration has for many years established a reputation for providing excellent service as an exclusive importer and distributor of HI-MACS Natural Acrylic Stone™. This has already included the Lavanto brand of finished sinks and washbasins manufactured in HI-MACS. Since November 2014, Engels Design and Decoration is also exclusive importer and distributor in Belgium of Pulito, in order to also offer sinks and washbasins in cast Solid Surface Material.
Engels Design and Decoration becomes Engels Surfaces!
As the market leader in Solid Surface, we have further expanded our product range. We also offer AVONITE and GETACORE, as well as our own series MARBLE from now on.
As an exclusive importer and distributor of AVONITE, Studio Collection and AcryBright™, we are also expanding our range of materials to offer our customers a wider selection.
Together this creates a total package that gives you the perfect size, thickness and color for every project.
The trend of single-minded innovation continues! And is beginning to bear fruit!!!
With quiet gratitude for what previous generations once started long ago, ideas are beginning to emerge on how to honor them as we celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2027!!!