At SPAAS we pride ourselves on the amazing history of our company. The company has experienced some ups and downs, but today it is one of the leading players in the European candle market.
Our History
1853
DE POSTHOORN
Our story starts in De Posthoorn, an old brewery in Hamont, which Hendrik Jan Spaas transformed into a wax bleaching shop. It bleached beeswax for sale to monasteries and abbeys that made candles. People in Italy were also happy as the opera Il Trovatore premiered.
1887
Cigars
While the Eiffel Tower was being built in Paris, the small company moved to Sint-Huibrechts-Lille. Part of the company was equipped as a cigar factory.
1901
Growth
After the closure of the cigar factory, the wax bleaching shop moved back to Hamont. The candle making shop was modernised by Gerard, Henri & Jozef Spaas and production was expanded. Unfortunately, it didn't win us the Nobel Prize, which in that same year was awarded for the first time.
1949
L. spaas en co
The family company was turned into the public limited company called NV Kaarsenfabriek L. Spaas en Co. It was not until 1980 that it became NV Spaas Kaarsen. That was the year when Chairman Mao founded the People's Republic of China.
1953
Fire
The company celebrated its 100th birthday and numbered approximately 60 employees. Unfortunately, one year later a fire broke out that burned down the entire factory. The Netherlands was hit by disastrous flooding.
1979
Relocation
The company relocated to its present site. By now demand for household candles and fantasy candles had increased significantly. Sales markets in the Netherlands, France and Germany were also growing strongly.
1998
Automation
The production process was automated still further. Regrettably, the company was unable to take advantage of the power outage in New Zealand that lasted more than 66 days
2007
Poland
A production site was opened in Poland. Demand for scented and glass candles increased, giving birth to new concepts. In the United States, several mortgage banks found themselves in problems, ushering in the financial crisis.
2014
Record holder
Spaas attracts attention during commemoration of the First World War and succeeded at the Christmas market in Mechelen in lighting up Europe's biggest candle, with a height of almost 4 meters and weighing approximately 2.2 tonnes.
Where can I buy my favorite candle?
Do you want to know where you can buy your favorite Spaas candle? Find the closest shops in your neighborhood by using the store locator. Check it out now!