Our history guides what we do today.
SHV was founded in 1896 and, since then, has built its expertise in efficient and safe distribution of energy sources throughout the world.
In the latter half of the 20th century, we decided to put this expertise to good use and invest in LPG. LPG is recognised as the cleanest available conventional fuel for consumers situated beyond the natural gas grid. We are proud to have market-leading LPG companies in the Americas, Asia and Europe.
Eight Dutch coal wholesalers, some of which had been entrepreneurs and traders since the 18th century, establish the Steenkolen Handels-Vereeniging (SHV) in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
SHV innovation and modernisation approach changed handling and loading equipment, significantly increasing coal supply capacity. A new head office was opened in Utrecht.
Shipping moved to oil as a main source of energy. SHV founded the first oil bunker station and supplied oil to VEM, a larger merged shipping and fishing company, that SHV also had a controlling interest in.
The switch to oil led to changes in transportation and demand from the expansion of overseas trade. SHV acquired oil interests in Europe to meet this demand and for bunkering.
A new brand ‘PAM’ was launched for SHV oil related activities. It also appeared on a chain of gasoline stations in the Netherlands, Austria and West Germany.
SHV refocused further on trading in energy with LPG distribution expansion.
SHV took a controlling stake in Primagaz Group, already active in France and Germany, by bringing in it’s LPG operations in the Benelux, Italy, Austria, Denmark and later Germany. Primagaz Group went on to make a number of significant acquisitions in Italy and in new countries such as Turkey.
In 1987, SHV acquired a large stake in Calor (Great Britain and Ireland). In 1991 SHV acquired state owned assets in Central Europe and formed Gaspol in Poland.
SHV acquired companies in China and Brazil and started new operations in India. In 1996, Primagaz Group started activities in international supply and risk management, known today as SHV Gas Supply & Risk Management.
SHV pooled all its LPG activities under the management of a central team that was later renamed SHV Energy.
SHV Energy started distributing bulk and automotive LNG in Western Europe.
SHV Energy launched strategic initiatives under the title of Advancing Energy Together.
First supply of bioLPG from the Neste plant in Rotterdam. A demonstration of SHV Energy’s commitment to provide customers with alternative sources of sustainable and cleaner energy.
The company’s first hydrogen refuelling station opened in Guangzhou, China. It marked a crucial step forward in energy innovation and highlights the exciting future for hydrogen energy development.
