Groep Palmaers

What Groep Palmaers does

Groep Palmaers is a Belgian family-owned business group founded in 1967, headquartered in Bilzen-Hoeselt, that operates as a one-stop-shop for professional tools, machines, and equipment. It distributes and services products from tier-1 brands such as Makita, Kärcher, STIHL, Milwaukee, and Hyster-Yale through a network of specialized subsidiaries. The group serves construction companies, independent tradespeople, DIY consumers, and government entities, primarily within Belgium's Limburg region.

The group operates across the equipment lifecycle via multiple subsidiaries: Palmaers Vakhandel (retail), Palmaers Verhuur (rental fleet of 2,000+ machines), Palmaers Trailers (trailer sales with 150+ units in stock), Powershop Stihl Hasselt (STIHL dealership), Kärcher Center Palmaers (cleaning equipment), Terramax, PV Worx Lease (leasing), Diatechnix (proprietary equipment brand), and Maximal (exclusive Hyster-Yale forklift distributor). Revenue is generated through equipment retail, rental, leasing, repair, custom van interiors, compressed air installations, license plate services, and workwear personalization.

The group employs 11 to 50 people and is in the process of building a new headquarters scheduled to open in mid-2026, comprising 7,000 m² of showroom space, 3,000 m² of storage, and 300 parking spaces. It is actively recruiting inside sales, outside sales, and truck driver positions, supporting its expansion of commercial capacity. There is no public disclosure of revenue, funding, or M&A activity.

Name

Groep Palmaers

Legal name

Palmaers Vakhandel

Website

https://palmaersvakhandel.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Belgian family-owned group founded in 1967 operating a one-stop-shop for professional tools, machines, and equipment. It serves construction, trades, DIY, and government customers in Limburg via retail, rental, leasing, and repair across multiple branded specialty subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Tools & Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Other Building Material Dealers (44418)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Hardware & MRO Supply Clubs (Trades/Contractors) (CRAEAEAG)

Keywords

• Professional tool retail
• Construction equipment rental
• Machine leasing services
• Power tools distribution
• Workwear and safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Bilzen

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail Sales of Tools, Machines & Equipment: One-time sale of professional tools, machines, building materials, safety equipment, power tools, ladders/scaffolding, workwear, and related accessories. Revenue is generated through the physical Bilzen storefront and specialty branded stores. Sells house brands (Diatechnix, Maximal) and distributes major brands (Makita, Kärcher, STIHL, Milwaukee, Bosch, DeWalt, Festool, etc.).
2. Machine & Equipment Rental: Short- and long-term rental of over 2,000 machines and tools, covering construction, earthmoving, garden, cleaning, and workshop equipment. Revenue is generated per rental period (daily/weekly/monthly). Both DIY customers and construction professionals are served.
3. PV Worx Lease / Machine Financing: In-house leasing, hire-purchase, and long-term rental of machines starting at €2,500. Revenue is generated through monthly installments with optional maintenance contracts. Covers both new and second-hand machines of all brands distributed by the group.
4. Repair & Maintenance Services: In-house repair service for electric and mechanical tools, blade sharpening, chain replacement, oiling, and general maintenance. Also handles warranty repairs for Makita and Kärcher. Revenue generated per repair job or through maintenance contracts.
5. Van Interior Fitting: Custom van racking and storage systems sold as standard or fully bespoke solutions. Customers include tradespeople and companies outfitting service vehicles.
6. Workwear Personalization: Sale and customization of workwear, including printing/embroidery of logos, names, text, or images on work clothing for businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Groep Palmaers is a Belgian family-owned one-stop-shop that sells, rents, leases, and services professional tools, machines, and equipment for tradespeople, construction companies, DIY enthusiasts, and public administrations. Operating under multiple subsidiaries (Palmaers Vakhandel retail, Palmaers Verhuur rental, PV Worx leasing, Kärcher Center, STIHL Powershop, Milwaukee, Terramax, Palmaers Trailers), the group distributes leading brands (Makita, Kärcher, STIHL, Milwaukee, Bosch, DeWalt, Festool) alongside its own house brands (Diatechnix diamond drills, Maximal forklifts), and complements the catalogue with custom services such as van interior fitting, license plate manufacturing, workwear personalization, compressed air installations, and in-house tool repair.

Product overview

Groep Palmaers is a Belgian family-owned business group (established 1967) operating as a one-stop-shop for professional tools, machines, and equipment. The group consists of Palmaers Vakhandel (main retail store), specialized sub-brands including Kärcher Center Palmaers, Powershop Stihl, Milwaukee Palmaers, Terramax (construction machines), and Machineworld (online machine sales). Their own house brands include Diatechnix diamond drills and Maximal forklifts. The group offers comprehensive services including rental (Palmaers Verhuur with 2,000+ machines), leasing (PV Worx), custom van interior fitting, compressed air installations, in-house repair services, license plate manufacturing, workwear personalization, and second-hand machine sales. They serve DIY enthusiasts, tradespeople, governments, and construction companies primarily in the Limburg region of Belgium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diatechnix: Own brand of affordable diamond drill bits for wet use, offered as a quality alternative to premium brands
• Maximal Heftrucks
• PV Worx
• Kärcher Center Palmaers
• Powershop Stihl Hasselt
• Milwaukee Palmaers Hasselt

Products and services

• Palmaers Vakhandel Professional Tools & Equipment Retail One-stop retail store selling professional tools, machines, building materials, power tools, safety equipment (PPE), ladders and scaffolding, workwear, and accessories from leading brands. Serves DIY enthusiasts, tradespeople, construction companies, and public administrations through the Bilzen-Hoeselt storefront and field sales.
• Palmaers Verhuur (Machine & Equipment Rental) Rental service for over 2,000 machines and tools including excavators, aerial work platforms, trailers, power tools, cleaning equipment, and garden machinery. Available for short-term (daily/weekly) and long-term rental periods to both DIY customers and construction professionals.
• PV Worx Lease (Machine Leasing & Financing) In-house leasing and financing arm offering lease, hire-purchase, and long-term rental formulas for machines and equipment above €2,500 in value. Available for new and second-hand machines of all brands distributed by the group, with optional maintenance contracts and 0% promotional leasing on selected equipment.
• Diatechnix Diamond Drills (Own Brand) Proprietary house-brand diamond drill bits for wet drilling, available in standard and custom diameters with 5/4" and 1/2" connections. Offers quality and reliability at competitive prices versus premium brands, with in-house repair for worn or broken teeth.
• Maximal Forklifts (Exclusive Distribution) Exclusive distribution of Hyster-Yale Maximal forklifts, offering industrial-grade forklift trucks at price-competitive rates through Palmaers. Differentiates on Hyster-Yale engineering heritage while undercutting premium European forklift brands.
• Custom Van Interior Fitting (Bestelwageninrichting) Custom van interior design, manufacturing, and installation for tradespeople and companies outfitting service vehicles. Components include modular shelving systems, floor/wall protection, rail systems, workbenches, and load securing. All components are crash-tested, ISO9001 certified, fully modular, and reusable in subsequent vehicles.
• License Plate Manufacturing (Nummerplaten) On-site manufacturing of standard and personalized Belgian license plates for company vehicles, trailers, agricultural tractors, and other heavy vehicles. Available at the Bilzen retail location.
• Workwear Personalization (Bedrijfskleding) Customization of workwear with company logos, names, text, or images via printing and embroidery. Serves both small and large orders from businesses outfitting their workforce with branded work clothing.
• Custom Compressed Air Installations (Persluchtinstallaties) Design, installation, and maintenance of custom compressed air systems using AIRnet modular piping technology. Includes emergency repair services; pipes are 100% reusable, corrosion-free, and install 70% faster than conventional black-iron piping.
• In-house Tool Repair Service (Eigen Hersteldienst) In-house repair service with 25 years of experience for electric and mechanical tools. Includes blade sharpening, chain replacement, oiling, general maintenance, and authorized warranty handling for Makita and Kärcher products, eliminating the need to ship machines back to the manufacturer.
• Second-hand Machine Sales (Tweedehands) Sale of second-hand machines including well-maintained rental returns, acquired used machines, and brand-new overstock at competitive prices. Available across construction, earthmoving, garden, and workshop equipment categories.
• Palmaers Trailers (Trailer Distribution) Distribution of utility trailers, horse trailers, and related transport equipment. Over 150 trailers in stock from quality brands for immediate delivery, including through the wider Palmaers group and MachineWorld platforms.
• Terramax (Construction Equipment Sales) Dedicated division selling heavy construction and earthmoving equipment including excavators, dumpers, aerial work platforms, and wheel loaders. Distributed brands include SANY, FRONTEQ, MAXIMAL, and RELLY, providing competitive alternatives to European premium OEMs.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 2,000 machines available for rental — largest rental fleet in the region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MakitacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPalmaers Vakhandel is an authorized Makita Service Dealer. The company handles warranty repairs for Makita products in-house without needing to send machines back to the manufacturer, saving customers time. Extended warranty registration support is provided (3-year warranty).
• Kärcher Center PalmaerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPalmaers operates a dedicated Kärcher Center Palmaers in Hasselt, offering the full Kärcher range of cleaning equipment. The main store carries a limited selection, with the specialized center handling the full assortment. Warranty repairs for Kärcher are handled in-house.
• STIHL (Powershop Stihl Hasselt)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPalmaers operates Powershop Stihl Hasselt, offering STIHL machines for garden, landscaping, agriculture, forestry, and construction. Also distributes KRESS robot mowers. Specializes in heavy-duty outdoor power equipment.
• Milwaukee ToolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMilwaukee Palmaers in Hasselt offers an extensive range of Milwaukee heavy-duty machines and tools. A limited selection is also available at Palmaers Vakhandel in Bilzen, with cross-location ordering and pickup options.
• Hyster-Yale MaximalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPalmaers is the exclusive distributor of Maximal (Hyster-Yale) forklifts. This exclusive arrangement provides competitive pricing advantages and a distinctive product line not available through other dealers.
• DiatechnixcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerDiatechnix is Palmaers' proprietary house brand of diamond drill bits for wet use. Palmaers manufactures and sells these products under its own brand, offering quality and reliability without extra costs compared to premium brands.
• TerramaxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTerramax is a division within Groep Palmaers specializing in construction equipment and earthmoving machinery (excavators, dumpers, aerial work platforms, wheel loaders). Partners include SANY, FRONTEQ, MAXIMAL, and RELLY brands.
• MachineWorldminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline platform for new and second-hand machines for construction, wood, metal, and garden sectors. Part of the Palmaers group ecosystem, complementing the physical store's offering with a broader machine marketplace.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boels Rental: Boels Rental is a leading European equipment rental company offering construction machines, aerial work platforms, and tools. Palmaers Verhuur's 2,000+ machine rental fleet directly competes with Boels in the Limburg and Belgian rental market.
• Gamma (Intergamma): Gamma, operated by Intergamma, is a Dutch-Belgian home improvement and DIY chain with Belgian stores. Both retailers serve DIY customers and small contractors with tools, machines, and building materials, making Gamma a direct Belgian market peer.
• Toolstation: Toolstation is a European trade-focused tool and hardware retailer operating in Belgium with low-price positioning. It competes with Palmaers for tradespeople and DIY customers on standardized power tools, hand tools, and consumables.
• Hubo: Hubo is a Belgian DIY retail chain selling tools, machines, and building materials to consumers and tradespeople. Both Hubo and Palmaers serve the Belgian trade and DIY customer with overlapping product categories including power tools, construction equipment, and workwear.
• Brico: Brico is one of Belgium's largest DIY and home improvement retail chains. It overlaps with Palmaers on hand tools, power tools, construction supplies, and DIY customer segments, though Brico is more consumer-weighted while Palmaers is more trades-weighted.
• Loxam: Loxam is a major European equipment rental company with Belgian operations. Loxam competes directly with Palmaers Verhuur for construction and earthmoving equipment rentals among professional contractors in Belgium.
• Mateco: Mateco is a European aerial work platform and equipment rental specialist with Belgian presence. Its rental fleet of boom lifts, scissor lifts, and construction equipment directly overlaps with Palmaers Verhuur's rental offering.

Broad incumbents

• Hilti: Hilti is a global manufacturer and direct-to-trades seller of premium power tools, diamond drilling systems, and fastening solutions. Hilti's direct sales model and premium positioning compete with Palmaers' professional offerings, and Hilti-branded accessories are even distributed by Palmaers.
• Würth: Würth is a global B2B supplier of tools, fasteners, hardware, and consumables serving tradespeople and construction professionals. Würth is a much larger incumbent with broader product breadth, but its trade-customer model and Belgian presence make it a comparable for Palmaers' professional customer segment.
• Saint-Goubin Distribution (Point.P): Saint-Gobain Distribution operates Point.P and other building materials distribution brands across Europe serving tradespeople and contractors. While more building-materials weighted, its trade-customer base, financing options, and rental partnerships make it broadly comparable to Palmaers' construction-supply proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/palmaers-vakhandel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Groep Palmaers