SHV Holdings is a superheavyweight in Dutch commerce. The firm, which is the largest private company in the Netherlands, has global interests in energy, retail, and industrial services. The company operates one of the world's top liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) companies (SHV Gas), and owns and operates the Makro store chain, which has more than 180 stores in Asia and South America selling to small and medium-sized retailers. The firm's Mammoet unit provides heavy lifting and transport services to the chemicals industry as well as to power plants. SHV's Dyas unit is involved in oil and gas exploration. SHV is also engaged in green energy investments (Clean Energy) and engineering and related services (ERIKS).
SHV operates Makro stores in Thailand and South America. Makro is a cash and carry wholesaler that sells high volumes of food and non-food products to professional customers. These include small and medium-sized retailers, the hospitality industry and the institutional market.
In 1998 the European Makro stores were acquired by METRO AG but SHV is active with its Makro stores in Asia and South America. At the end of 2008 Makro had 165 stores in South America and Thailand. The Makro South America head office is located in Sao Paulo, the head office of Makro Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. Sales amounted to € 4,1 billion in 2008.
In 2011, Makro’s continuing expansion programme saw the opening of 10 new stores bringing the total number in South America and Thailand to 206. The Makro South America head office is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The head office of Makro Asia is in Bangkok, Thailand.