Early Life
Fernand Huts was born on June 18, 1950, in Antwerp, Belgium. He grew up in the Seefhoek district of Antwerp and attended Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege. He later studied law at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. His grandfather moved to Antwerp in the 1930s and became the boss of Trouwnatie, a company where Fernand's father was a partner.
Rise to Success
Huts started his career in the steel industry but later joined Katoen Natie in 1981, where his father was a partner. Katoen Natie was a small company with about a hundred employees. Huts bought out the 19 original partners and transformed it into a multinational corporation. In 1986, he acquired Seaport Terminals, a stevedoring company in the port. In 1987, he was named "Manager of the Year" by the magazine Trends. In 2015, Huts's Katoen Natie acquired Indaver, an waste processing company.
Key Business Strategies
Huts is known for his management style and his focus on innovation and niche markets. He expanded Katoen Natie's operations globally, making it a major player in the logistics industry. Huts emphasizes the importance of long-term relationships and creating a good working environment. Katoen Natie has over 350 companies worldwide and employs approximately 20,000 people.
Philanthropy
Fernand Huts is a strong advocate of art and culture. He founded The Phoebus Foundation, an art foundation with philanthropic objectives. The Phoebus Foundation acquires art and provides a professional framework for the conservation and management of art works. The foundation aims to share its findings with the widest possible audience through exhibitions, loans, cultural events, symposiums, and publications.