EN Contact Us History 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. 1928 In 1928 Bekaert begins exporting to North America. 1929 A new kind of barbed wire – still produced today – is developed: Motto®, made of two relatively thin carbon steel strands twisted at a changing pitch between the barbs. 1930 The company celebrates its 50th anniversary. By this time, it is employing about 600 people (almost all of whom are on the picture). In 1932 Bekaert starts nail production in Zwevegem (Belgium). 1933 Bekaert further expands abroad with the investment in Tinsley Wire Industries Ltd in the United Kingdom. 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). 1952 Steel cord production starts in Zwevegem (Belgium), where the first steel cord plant is built. 1956 An office is opened in New York (United States). 1957 Bekaert takes its first steps in Asia setting up a representative office in Tokyo, which is focused mainly on the steel cord business. 1960 Bekaert expands its business significantly into new activities and new markets. During the 1960s Bekaert opens different offices for example in Frankfurt (Germany), Paris (France) and London (United Kingdom). 1962 Bekaert broadens its activities in Latin America and invests in Vicson (Venezuela). 1964 Bekaert is – and has always been – a highly technology-driven company. A major decision in this respect is the creation of a Research Centre in Deerlijk (Belgium) in 1964. It will become the cradle where over the years many breakthroughs in technology will see daylight, for example the development of thin metal fibers. 1965 Start of the engineering activity in Ingelmunster (Belgium). Engineering is (still today) responsible for the design and manufacture of equipment related to Bekaert’s businesses. 1966 Steel cord plant in Aalter (Belgium) starts production. 1970 In the early 1970s, the industrialized nations are rudely shaken out of their dream of a golden age by the first oil crisis. The second oil price shock, in 1978-1980 sends prices further up and leads to an international recession. One of the solutions to reduce the oil consumption of cars is to reduce the weight of the tires. That’s why Bekaert strives to make wires thinner and thinner and at the same time stronger. The approach is successful and the following years new steel cord plants are opened in Rome (United States), Burgos (Spain), Tochigi (Japan), Lanklaar (Belgium), Vespasiano (Brazil) and Moen (Belgium). The co-operation with the Japanese partners convinces Bekaert of the importance of Total Quality Management. Bekaert believes in it and applies TQM at every level and in every department. 1972 The Bekaert family, which until 1972 has all the share capital, decides to open it up to investment by new shareholders by listing the company on the Belgian stock exchange. In a little over 2 minutes, all the Bekaert shares are sold. The investments serve to support the expansion of steel cord and the progressing internationalization. 1973 Bekaert develops Dramix® steel fibers for concrete reinforcement. Dramix® steel fibers offer many advantages: they are easy to mix into the concrete, they improve its ductility and they are more convenient to use in complex construction projects such as tunnels. 1974 In the mid 1970s Bekaert opens a wire plant in Quito (Ecuador) and in Van Buren (United States). 1975 Bekaert announces the establishment of a Brazilian company, Belgo-Mineira-Bekaert, to manufacture steel cord for tires and for high pressure hoses. The company will come on stream by 1977. 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. ASK A QUESTION Copyright © 2021 Bekaert. All rights reserved. Made By The Reference