With a blend of family spirit and global reach, Vandecasteele Houtimport are a familiar name across the timber sector. Here they give us a glimpse behind the scenes of this dynamic Belgian timber importer.
Vandecasteele Houtimport stands out as one of Belgium’s premier companies. Based in Aalbeke, West Flanders, this timber importer has a storied history in both the local and international markets. In addition to common timber species, they also provide a variety of lesser-known species. With a stock of 130,000m³ and over 120 different timber species spread across a 20-hectare site, this Belgian family business continues to flourish.
Five generations of passion for timber
Vandecasteele Houtimport was founded in 1883 by Louis Vandecasteele and in those days, wagon making was the core business. In 1919, his son Désiré added a small sawmill. Urbain Vandecasteele, the next in line to lead, possessed sharp business acumen and an unrelenting drive. He was the one who started the timber trade. Partly via trade missions organised by the late King Albert, Urbain opened the door to the rest of the world. In the meantime, his son Stefaan had taken over the company and astutely overseen further international expansion. Louis Vandecasteele, the fifth generation, is now further reinforcing the firm’s family character.
International trader in hard and softwood
Vandecasteele Houtimport has grown into the number one supplier of hardwood and softwood in Belgium and internationally. The Belgian company purchases hardwood and softwood in over 35 countries and continues to look for new opportunities. On the import side they buy from Scandinavia, South-East Asia, North America, Canada, Africa and South America. As regards export, the Vandecasteele Houtimport market comprises all of Europe, with Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany in the lead. In 2018, Vandecasteele Houtimport set up a separate company in the UK – Vandecasteele Timber Ltd – to help facilitate export after Brexit.
Big stocks in different timber species: reacting quickly on the market
The number of timber species – more than 120 – both hardwood and softwood, grows each year. The company makes a distinction between mainstream timber species and lesser-known timber species (LKTS) the so called ‘secondary’ species. The support and marketing of LKTS boosts biodiversity and reduces the pressure on forests. For each timber species, we maintain a wide range of dimensions. This variety makes Vandecasteele Houtimport a valuable partner for both suppliers and customers.
Besides rough sawn timber, the company has a full range of finished products such as decking and cladding in stock. Customers include timber importers, timber traders, industrial joiners and DIY traders. With the own fleet of 17 company trucks, we deliver orders within one to three days.
Our biggest assets are having the timber for prompt delivery and being able to deliver with our own fleet of company trucks alongside our knowledgeable and hugely experienced team.
Numerous certificates with sustainability a central concern
The timber market is driven by supply and demand and by project requirements. However, there is one constant factor, namely the demand for quality. For instance, for under construction of decking you always need sustainability Class 1, regardless of the timber species. Vandecasteele Houtimport responds strongly to the quality demands of the market and therefore has various certificates. A commitment to certified timber is a priority and the certificates enable making the timber sector more sustainable, responsible and professional. For instance, purchasing FSC® certified timber contributes to 14 of the 17 sustainability development goals of the United Nations. Certificates include: FSC®, PEFC, OLB (origine légale du bois) and Legal Source.Sustainability is in the company’s DNA. Since 2000, Vandecasteele Houtimport has committed itself through the Corporate Durability Charter by signing up to environmental objectives exceeding the applicable legislation. In 2020, Vandecasteele Houtimport was the first timber company in the world to obtain the ‘SDG Pioneer’ certificate from CIFAL Flanders, the local hub of UNITAR, the United Nations Training & Research Institute. Vandecasteele continues to make efforts to embed sustainability into their business. At the end of 2022, they received the ‘SDG Champion’ certificate, making Vandecasteele the first timber company in the world to receive these two internationally recognised awards.
Modest and ambitious about the future
Vandecasteele Houtimport is a family business and that typifies its way of doing business. We have the ambition of reinforcing our global reputation. At the same time, we are still a modest company in West Flanders with a family character and we welcome people personally and heartily.’ Amongst other things, Vandecasteele Houtimport will present its activities during the Dubai Wood Show, a trade fair in Dubai from the 14 -16 April 2025. Such opportunities are important milestones for our export ambitions. We hope to open doors in the Middle East through Dubai and establish contact with players from all over the world. Vandecasteele Houtimport is clearly a company with sustainability in its DNA, a company which radiates ambition and at the same time has both feet on the Belgian ground.
More at: www.vandecasteele.be/en
