HACO Group bids farewell to its founder, Rogier Havegeer

It is with deep respect and quiet sadness that HACO Group announces the passing of its founder, Rogier Havegeer, who died on 19 January 2026 at the age of 86. Born on 18 April 1939, Rogier Havegeer was the driving force behind what began in 1965 as a small Flemish family business and grew into an internationally respected industrial group.

Together with co-founder Roger De Marez, Rogier Havegeer laid the foundations of HACO Group, initially producing hydraulic components and providing maintenance services to local industry. From these modest beginnings, the group steadily evolved, taking a decisive step in 1972 with the development of its first sheet metal guillotine shear, a milestone in technological innovation.

Over the decades, Rogier Havegeer guided HACO Group into new domains, encompassing sheet metal machinery, woodworking solutions through Woodmaster by HACO, presses, CNC machining centers, and automation technologies. Strategic acquisitions, including Kingsland, Mubea Systems, FAT, Bliss Bret, DTI, and Chambon, helped shape the group into a global player with production sites and subsidiaries across Europe and Asia, serving customers worldwide. Despite this growth, HACO Group has always remained true to its original values: craftsmanship, reliability, and a deep understanding of customer needs.

Rogier Havegeer often summarized his philosophy in a simple conviction: “Quality is a reward for hard work and progress, not for standing still.” That belief became a guiding principle within the company and continues to shape its culture today.

His sense of responsibility extended beyond business. During the covid pandemic, Rogier and his family donated 40,000 face masks to AZ Delta in Roeselare and the Sint-Jozefskliniek in Izegem. The gesture reflected his gratitude for the care he had received himself, and his desire to give something back to the community he felt deeply connected to. Rogier Havegeer is survived by his beloved wife, Lieve Depuydt, and his sons Frank, Mario and Kurt Havegeer, who continue to lead the company in the spirit of its founder.

HACO Group remembers Rogier Havegeer as a visionary entrepreneur, a committed family man and a builder of lasting value. His legacy lives on in the people, the company and the many customers and partners who have grown alongside HACO for more than six decades.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday, 24 January 2026, in Roeselare.