about us

A TOUCH OF HISTORY

From a fighter pilot, to a fish factory, to an egg products producer, to egg processing equipment sales – these were the career steps of Filiep Van Bosstraeten leading up to becoming General Manager of OVOBEL.

After leaving the Belgian Air Force and marrying Yvonne in 1960, Filiep started working in a fish factory. Here he purchased ingredients for that company, including salted egg yolk from China in wooden barrels for the production of mayonnaise. His actual start in the egg products industry began with his first contract for salted egg yolk. He agreed to supply 20 tons monthly. Just one problem; Filiep had no equipment (he had prepared his sales samples in the kitchen sink). Within 2 weeks he created a mini egg processing plant and with hard working women, breaking and separating eggs manually, he managed to deliver the product on time. This contract was the start of his career in egg products. And also the start of a journey with as the cherry on the cake, the creation of OVOBEL, a unique company which was going to become one of the leading suppliers of egg processing equipment worldwide. 

Our History

1961
Introduced
In 1961
The creation of the European Union made it more difficult to import agricultural products from third countries. Therefore Filiep Van Bosstraeten starts the production of egg products together with a Belgian farmer. Initially it was a manual operation, breaking and separating the eggs manually.
1960
In the mid-1960s
Belgium was the biggest exporter of shell eggs at the time. The need for more egg products led to the need for quicker and more efficient processing methods. In the mid sixties Filiep introduced a Dutch egg breaking machine with a capacity of 6.000 eggs per hour. He obtained the exclusive distribution rights for this equipment in all of Europe.
1972
Expanded
In 1972
Pasteurization of egg products became compulsory in the late sixties. In partnership with Mr De Meester, Filiep built a modern egg processing plant, BELOVO, in Bastogne, Belgium in 1972. BELOVO became one of the most important egg processing plants in Europe.
1981
Expanded
In 1981
The need for more egg products led to the need for quicker and more efficient processing methods. Filiep came up with the answer and founded OVOBEL. The company has since grown to become the leading specialized supplier of unique egg processing equipment and turnkey projects worldwide.
1990
Expanded
In 1990
Philip Van Bosstraeten Jr joins the company. OVOBEL introduces machinery for processing extended shelf-life egg products. These egg products must comply to the strictest hygienic standards. OVOBEL offers the right, reliable and profitable solution for customers of every size.
1999
Expanded
In 1999
Filiep is internationally acknowledged as one of the most important people in the egg products industry. In 1999, the IEC (International Egg Commission) presents him with the first ever “Denis Wellstead Memorial Trophy” as the International Egg Person of the Year.
2000
Expanded
In 2000
OVOBEL continues to grow, business is booming and more highly trained people join the company. This results in new, spacious and modern offices being inaugurated in Bruges, Belgium.
2006
Expanded
In 2006
OVOBEL expands its expertise and offers now top quality machines also for industrial food processing such as omelettes.
2007
Expanded
In 2007

OVOBEL puts in place a new, large assembly hall, facilitating both the construction and transport of egg processing equipment being shipped worldwide.

OVOBEL introduces new machinery into its range of equipment: an automatic production line for hard-boiled and peeled eggs with capacities up to 32.000 hard-boiled and peeled eggs per hour.

2008
Expanded
In 2008
OVOBEL’s offices further expand and a new wing is being added to the existing office in Bruges.
2015
Expanded
In 2015
OVOBEL continues to keep its finger on the pulse in order to offer its customers all the necessary equipment for the production of all kinds of new products and innovative food trends. The knowhow and machinery for producing fried egg products are added to the list.
2018
Expanded
In 2018
OVOBEL adds the equipment for producing eggbites to its already vast list of expertise & equipment, following the newest food trends.
2023
Expanded
In 2023
OVOBEL is investing in creating climate friendly and sustainable new offices in the proximity of the assembly hall. This will enable OVOBEL to serve its customers in an even more high-tech and efficient manner.