The protected Kazandmolen along Mandellaan in Rumbeke is getting a modern neighbour. Molens Joye, the company that owns the last authentic mill in the Roeselare area, is constructing a new building on their site that will house their laboratory, shop and offices, among other things, in 2026. ‘This will be the final stage in a series of investments to expand and optimise the company, which our family took over in 2003,’ says Louis Sanders, who explains their plans.

Thanks in part to the authentic windmill on their site, Molens Joye is a well-known name in the region. The flour mill/grinding mill processes around 20,000 tonnes of grain per year and supplies bakeries, waffle and pancake producers, restaurateurs and private individuals with literally essential ingredients. Since 2003, the Joye family is no longer at the helm of the company, but Molens Joye is run by the Sanders family, who previously ran a flour business in Eernegem. It employs 25 people and the company also has a depot in Sint-Truiden.

Since the takeover, the Sanders family has invested heavily in the company site along Mandellaan. ‘Our first major project was the restoration of the Kazandmolen,’ recalls Louis Sanders. He joined his parents Stefaan Sanders and Stefanie Van De Putte in the company 3.5 years ago. "It dates back to 1833 and was festively inaugurated in 2007. The mill is no longer used for our production, but it remains our flagship. Then, in 2012, we completely stripped, renovated and expanded the flour mill, which is used for the production of white flour. At the same time, we also built an additional warehouse."

But this week, work began on the construction of a modern crown next to the monumental windmill on the site. ‘Vacomet is currently demolishing the former family home of the Joye family at the front of our site,’ Louis explains. "It had been used as office space for some time but was outdated. At the same time, our former laboratory and the old shop are also being demolished. Around 20 January, Industriebouw Vaneenoo will then start work on a new building, designed by the Jabbeek architects Vanhoorn-Maeckelbergh."

The new building will have three floors and Molens Joye hopes to start using it in 2026. "On the ground floor, you will find the brand-new shop and our laboratory, as well as a canteen and sanitary facilities for staff, but also showers for international truckers. The fact that the shop will be located at the front of the site is a big improvement, as visitors will no longer have to drive onto our site. The upper floors will be converted into office space and we are also planning two loading bays so that we can load trucks more safely and efficiently. Furthermore, the roof of the industrial building behind the new building will also be renovated, so that both buildings will soon form a visual whole. We are also planning to install solar panels on all the roofs."

Molens Joye will be able to continue production without any problems during the construction work. ‘We have temporarily relocated the shop and the laboratory to the ground floor of the Kazandmolen. The offices and sanitary facilities are in container units. We are hoping for good weather so that the work can progress smoothly.’