EN ES 中文 RSS Twitter Facebook Home myBekaert Product Sitemap eNews Suppliers Products and Applications Investors Jobs About us History Contact Us 1880 The story of Bekaert starts in Zwevegem, a rural village in Belgium, where local farmers are faced with the perennial problem of cattle showing the stubborn habit of straying beyond the boundaries of their fields so damaging other people’s property. Leo Leander Bekaert translates their need into a business opportunity: he starts up a small business in barbed wire by putting nails in twisted wire. Leo Leander Bekaert didn’t invent barbed wire, but he soon designs his own barbs: star-shaped ‘crowns’ with six sharp points which can be woven into the wire. In 1881 he patents this invention and, in next to no time, recruits most of the village to work at home making ‘crowns’ enabling Bekaert to continue producing at full speed. 1894 Bekaert starts applying a protective zinc layer on its products in order to offer better quality and fight corrosion. The activities are expanded, which broadens the product range with wire and fencing products. 1922 In the 1920s global expansion gives a new dimension to Bekaert. In the beginning of the decade Bekaert invests in a wire drawing mill in Bourbourg (France). Production starts in 1924, making wire products for the French market and French overseas territories. It is Bekaert’s first production plant outside Belgium. Throughout the years, Bekaert will never lose sight of the principle of keeping production close to the market. 1945 The post-war period brings about a great evolution in new technologies at Bekaert: the processing of high-carbon steel wire, welded mesh, a great variety of new coatings and stainless steel wire products. 1949 Several tire producers come knocking on Bekaert’s door asking whether we could make steel cord to reinforce rubber tires. Steel cord is a high tech product, consisting of very fine, mostly brass-coated steel wires that requires a highly capital-intensive manufacturing process. By the end of 1951 a team manages – after having overcome many discouraging setbacks – to make a few meters of steel cord. 1950 At the end of the 1940s Leon Antoon Bekaert – son of the founder – travels to Latin America. With this trip, he marks the start of the company on that continent. In 1948 Bekaert invests in Eltra (Argentina) and in 1950 in Inchalam (Chile). 1980 To mark Bekaert’s centenary, celebrations are held and his Majesty, King Boudewijn I of Belgium visits Bekaert. A visitor center is opened in the first Bekaert factory, built in the garden of the house of the founder. But 1980 is also the first year of what would turn out to be a tough decade. The second oil price shock – after the one in the early 1970s – sends prices up by a further 156% and leads to an international recession. The economic consequences are disastrous: inflation in the European Community climbs as high as 12.8%. Furthermore, industrial activity shrinks throughout Europe and the entire industrialized Western world. 1981 Following the difficult economic times in the early 1980s, Bekaert goes through important rationalization programs particularly in Wire Europe, aiming at creating product-dedicated plants, fostering higher flexibility and effectiveness, and paving the way for technology renewal. Bekaert also decides to work on diversification in e.g. composite materials and non-ferrous forged products. Bekaert introduces a range of new products and applications, e.g. different types of fibres for filtration with diameters in the range of microns. 1984 While restructuring operations are held in Zwevegem (Belgium), Hemiksem (Belgium) and Fontaine-l’Evêque (Belgium), the steel cord capacity in many plants is significantly increased, based on rising demand for radial tires. Diversification projects are defined in specific areas, such as filtration and composites. Introduction of ‘Bekaert Values and Goals’, with the emphasis on market leadership, technological leadership and profitability. 2000 Bekaert enters 2000 ready for a new millennium, as a technology-driven business with proven competencies in metal-forming and surface coating. The company further invests in amongst others wire manufacturer Titan Steel and Wire (Canada). For the first time a Chairman of the Board from outside the family is appointed, Baron Buysse CMG CBE. 2001 Bekaert breaks into the market of window film for safety and solar-control applications by acquiring the Specialty Films unit of Material Sicences Corporation (MSC/SFI) in the United States. In the wake of 9/11, the windows of the Capitol in Washington are protected with Bekaert safety film, a project for which the team was honored by the Architect of the Capitol. 2002 In 2002 Bekaert celebrates the 50th anniversary of its steel cord actitivities. With 700 million euro sales of steel cord, bead wire, high-pressure hose reinforcement wire, conveyor belt cord, Fleximat® and fine wire, the division is the uncontested world leader in its market. The start-up of a modern new steel cord plant in Sládkovičovo (Slovakia) proceeds smoothly. Quick links Fact Sheet Generator Investors News Share monitor Bekaert near you Subscribe to our eNewsletters Contact info Katelijn Bohez Chief Communications Officer President Kennedypark 18 8500 Kortrijk - Belgium Telephone: +32 56 23 05 11 Telefax: +32 56 23 05 48 Twitter Facebook Linkedin YouTube GooglePlus RSS Contact Us better together Situation Alcan and Bekaert joined forces to install 210 miles of transmission cable Solution Bekaert seamlessly adjusted the lengths of the reels to help Alcan’s trucks drive through mountainous terrain Result Alcan could meet their customer’s delivery requirements Situation Optimal reinforcement required for the concrete pavement of the Algeciras port terminal in Spain. Solution Concrete strengthened with Dramix steel fibers, offering high fatigue resistance and load bearing capacity. Result The solution largely exceeds the Spanish standard for the design and construction of port pavement set at a durability of at least 25 years. Situation Skiers count on safety when they go up the mountain Solution In close cooperation Bekaert developed superior quality wires that meet the technical customer requirements of ropeway constructors Result The customer handles the production of the cables, but also on-site weaving (or splicing) and installation. The cables have a life expectancy up to 40 years Copyright © 2014 Bekaert. All rights reserved. Disclaimer CorporateSitemap Made By The Reference We use cookies in order to let you fully experience this website. Cookies are small files we put in your browser to mainly track usage or remember your settings of our site but they don’t tell us who you are. Want to know more about how we use these Cookies please read our Cookie policy. Close