Press releases | 2026-02-04

Bodarwé, Liebherr and SOMTP: Long-standing partnership and powerful machine capability

Robust and versatile: 28 Liebherr earthmoving machines impress at Bodarwé with their performance and efficiency
Liebherr wheeled excavators, crawler excavators and XPower wheel loaders at work in quarries and on earthworks sites
Quality as a deciding factor when choosing a manufacturer and sales partner

The Bodarwé family company has been operating in eastern Belgium for almost 90 years. The foundation stone was laid in 1937 by Jean Bodarwé, the company founder and great-grandfather of the current directors. The company relies on a comprehensive Liebherr fleet for the demanding tasks in the quarries and earthworks: powerful mobile and crawler excavators as well as XPower wheel loaders, which ensure maximum efficiency even under extreme conditions. With more than 250 employees, Bodarwé cultivates values that are close to the hearts of its teams and always strives for shared success. As suppliers, Liebherr and SOMTP have always played a key role in this story.

Whether in the quarry or on earthworks sites, the construction company Bodarwé relies on Liebherr and SOMTP, the official sales partner in Belgium, when choosing its machines. The earthmoving machines score highly in terms of performance, robustness and fuel efficiency. This combination forms the foundation of the long-standing partnership, which is based on reliability, quality and versatility.

A long-standing decision for consistent quality

Bodarwé purchased its first Liebherr machine in 1989. The machine in question was an R 900 crawler excavator. This purchase was the beginning of a close partnership that was continuously strengthened in the following years with further machines - in particular with the purchase of an R 984 crawler excavator in 1999 for the quarry in Waimes, Belgium. The machine, which weighed over 100 tonnes and was in operation for several thousand hours, was replaced by a Liebherr R 9100 mining excavator in 2019.

"Liebherr is a supplier with a broad and comprehensive product range that fits in perfectly with our various fields of activity. The machines are high-quality and reliable. In addition, our drivers agree that they are easy and intuitive to operate and offer a high level of working comfort," says Jean Bodarwé, Director of the company and representative of the fourth generation. "The partnership with SOMTP is also of crucial importance. Together with Liebherr, we always find suitable solutions," he adds.

28 Liebherr machines in operation at Bodarwé

With 400 machines and vehicles of all brands, Bodarwé has an extensive fleet that requires a high level of maintenance. The Liebherr fleet, consisting of 28 machines, comprises 14 wheeled excavators, eight crawler excavators and six wheel loaders and is characterised not only by its performance but also by its ease of maintenance.

The Liebherr machinery is used in all areas of Bodarwé's activities: from quarrying and earthworks to road construction in confined spaces. "The easy maintenance and monitoring of Liebherr machines is also an important factor that enables us to ensure the success of our teams on the construction sites," explains Roger Bungart, machine manager at Bodarwé.

Powerful machine performance: versatile crawler excavator and efficient XPower wheel loaders

The R 938 crawler excavator is in operation in a quarry used by the company. A particularly demanding application for a model that is also used for earthworks. This 40-tonne excavator, which was developed and produced at Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar, demonstrates its versatility and robustness.

"Robust machines are essential for our various activities, but we also attach particular importance to the machines' low fuel consumption. In this respect, the L 566 XPower and L 580 XPower wheel loaders confirm our decision every day," says Jean Bodarwé. The centrepiece of the machines is a power-split travel drive, which Liebherr installs as standard on all XPower wheel loaders. Being automatic and infinitely variable, it combines the advantages of hydrostatic and mechanical drive in one machine, thus ensuring maximum performance and reduced fuel consumption for all requirements.

Bodarwé family company: almost 90 years of experience and human values

"Respect for our employees is at the centre of everything we do. It is the guarantee of high-quality work in a healthy and familiar environment. The pleasure of working together is of central importance," emphasises Stéphane Bodarwé, Jean's cousin and also a director of the company.

Founded in 1937 by Jean Bodarwé, the company initially made a name for itself in road construction and quarry operations, but diversified its activities over time. The founding of Boreta in 1964 with the production and laying of hydrocarbon flooring marked a milestone in the company's history. In the 1980s, Bodarwé experienced a further upswing with activities in the concrete and prefabricated construction sectors.

Today, Bodarwé has eight subsidiaries and employs more than 250 people. In eastern Belgium, the company is active in road construction, earthworks, civil engineering and quarrying.