Mewaf

It’s 1929 and Raymond Van Marcke is setting up a wholesale business in sanitary equipment and heating appliances in Kortrijk. It’s a success from day one. In a matter of years, Van Marcke becomes the market leader in Belgium with a 40% market share. Less than 10 years after the foundation of the company, the company president decides to venture into new areas. One of these is metal processing and the production of office furniture. The second world war temporarily puts a stop to these plans, but in 1948 Mewaf (metaal waren fabriek or metalware factory) becomes a reality. Alongside the Belgian government, schools and the defence ministry, many SME’s and businesses as well as private individuals choose Mewaf as their supplier for office furniture. In the 50’s, Raymond Van Marcke’s son, Carl, injects new life into the company. He is the first in Europe to develop and produce a flexible furniture entity integrating desk, cabinet and screen. The modular office system is born. Towards the end of the 50’s Mewaf is the market leader in Belgium. With the help of acquisitions the company ranks in the top ten of Europe’s office furniture manufacturers.