Transformation of hand made paper manufacture into a modern cardboard factory

The economical crisis between 1847 - 1848 pushed owners of Herisem. Hand Made Paper Factory to concentrate more on agriculture and stock breed. Unfortunately, after difficult period, when prosperity for paper producer started again, machines in the factory became to old. Winderickx family was not competitive any more. They decided to diversify production and start with a new product. In 1858 was open new cardboard production line.

Changes for a cardboard production was a big success. In 1872 factory became totally mechanized and Winderickx family started to produce industrial cardboard

Mechanization created a big problem with an old drying method. Evaporation was going through a natural way. That method could not follow new factory needs. In 1874 it was decided to construct a separate building with a steam drying system.

Photo: Cardboard Winderickx Factory in 1882. At the left site you may see drying room.

Since the new drying system was installed Cardboard Factory increased their production. In consequence it was necessary to construct new buildings as a store places for a necessary items, new machines and produced cardboard.

New investments and production increasement quickly started to be to aggravating for existing water wheel. The amount of the energy received from hydrological construction started to be to small to make all installations working. But it was a time of Industrial Revolution and new technologies, much more efficient started to be available. In 1894 Winderickx family decided to buy a first Herisem steam machine.

In the Herisem Factory were produced cardboard for a different type of use like: leather cardboard for shoes, ideal flat cardboard for elegant boxes etc. The area of existing factory started to be to small for possibilities of growing. That was the reason why there were created new departments down the road in Alsemberg and the second one in Virginal-Samme where was produced straw carton. New production line was very modern and efficient. That was the investment for a future.

The most profitable time for Carton Factory and a heritage fight

In 1894 department in Virginal became an inheritance of one Winderickx which didn't agree with the other family members. That changement caused problems for Herisem. By separating a straw department, Winderickx factory lost of a lot of clients.

To have those lost clients back owner of Herisem decided to modernize his cardboard factory. Between 1895 and 1899 there were bought following equipment:

• A Molleton
• A 3th Holander Machine
• A textile cutter
• 2 Generators

Closing of Cardboard Factory Winderickx

The First World War crisis brought price increasement for all necessary production components and equipments spare parts. Manufacturing of cardboard started to be less and less profitable. Additionally came the world economical crisis in 1930. Cardboard production was decreasing and keeping alive only because some machines were stopped and theirs parts was used as a spare parts for the other one.

In 1941 because of The Second World War it was almost impossible to buy an old paper necessary for manufacturing. In that time Belgium was occupied by Germans and the whole further production was suppose to be used only for Nazi needs. Cardboard Factory of Winderickx was closed.

Location of the museum 

Alsemberg (community Beersel), in province Flemish Brabant, in Flanders in Belgium. This is 15 min. by car from the old market square of Brussels. Route planner...

Open hours and booking

You are very welcome to visit as during our open hours or contact us for more information about booking.

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