Our Story
In 2002, Sander Mollet started with an idea and a rented shed. Today, SMO has 70 employees, state-of-the-art workshops and projects on all continents.
Start from an idea
Sander Mollet founds SMO and rents a shed in Oosteeklo. The reason: to develop his own idea, a chicken-catching machine. In the meantime, to finance this development, he works as a technical draftsman for other companies.
First growth, first move
Besides development work, construction work is added. SMO starts to profile itself as a machine builder. The warehouse becomes too small. SMO moves to the Industriestraat in Waarschoot.
First people, first machines
The first workers come on board. Lode Mollet, Sander's younger brother, also joins the company. SMO invests in the first production machines and takes a step towards its own production capacity.
More assignments, more space needed
Word is spreading, so is client confidence. Assignments become more frequent and larger. SMO moves to a rented warehouse in the Industrielaan in Eeklo.
Own site, own building
SMO grows fast: figures double year on year, the team numbers more than 15 employees. A terrain is bought in Nieuwendorpe in Eeklo and an own company building is designed and built. That same year, SMO connects its name as main sponsor to the SMO Triathlon Team (now SMO-SCOTT triathlon team).
Recognition as an entrepreneur
SMO wins Eeklose award for entrepreneurship (Theo). Confirmation that this is not just a good start, but a business in full swing.
Second hall, international steps
A second production hall is built with new machines and additional software. Projects become larger and more complex. A prototype of a mobile screening machine is made, which will later become the FleXiever brand. SMO takes its first steps towards international customers.
Trends Gazelles
SMO is selected as one of the fastest growing small businesses in East Flanders. Its growth curve receives external recognition.
Structure, certificates and own brands
With 30 employees, the need for structure and quality assurance grows. SMO obtains VCA, ISO 9001 and EN 1090, and becomes MK's main distributor in Belgium. SMO also wins the Paul Zeeuwts Award from the IWT. Its own brands Pintro, WIWAM and FleXiever become real divisions within the larger structure.
Expand
Growth remains constant. SMO acquires adjacent land for parking, demo and storage space. Sander Mollet becomes laureate of the JCI Award East Flanders Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Going global
SMO already had international customers in neighbouring countries, but from 2019, projects outside Europe start coming in. Meanwhile, SMO's machines are on all continents. Except Antarctica.
50 employees
SMO passes the 50-employee mark. The software department continues to expand along with the complexity of projects.
20 years of SMO
SMO is 20 years old. Plans for new buildings emerge: more production capacity, more space for offices and engineering.
New buildings in use
The new buildings are taken into use: modern offices and state-of-the-art workshops. Space for more than 70 employees. SMO is ready for the next phase of growth.