SHV is a highly diversified company, with interests in transport, retail, oil, food and financial services.

Under his direction, SHV moved its headquarters from Rotterdam to Utrecht, to take advantage of the city's position as the hub of the Dutch railway network.

This entity (simply called "Unitas") became SHV's first investment arm, providing foundation capital for companies like Koninklijke Hoogovens and KLM.

In response to these changes, SHV established its first oil bunker station and sold crude for the motor vessels of the recently merged shipping companies.

Oil was preferred over coal because it burned more efficiently: in some cases, shipping companies saved up to 40% in operating costs by switching to motor vessels.