From pioneer to mature family business
The Van Vlastuin family is a true pioneer family with it's roots in 1959. From Jan van Vlastuin's stove forge, extensive knowledge of iron and experience in technical construction work was developed. Through the supply of metal components, the company has continued to grow and specialize in the production and sale of leading trailers for the agricultural and transport sectors.
Family history
Our history at a glance
65 years Vlastuin
Want to see how it all began? Take a look at a brief retrospective of 65 years of Vlastuin.
Gerrit van Vlastuin, owner
Iron is still the cornerstone of D-TEC and the Vlastuin companies and what unites us. Today, we can proudly say that with our 65 years of rich experience, we are seasoned professionals in the business!
1959 - Stove forge
Jan van Vlastuin establishes his stove forge in Maarsbergen
Our history begins in 1959. In that year, Jan van Vlastuin, a technician and pioneer at heart, founded a stove forge in Maarsbergen. Until the late 1960s, the main activity was the sale, installation, conversion and repair of fireplaces and stoves.
1978 - Focus on transport
The company invests in the development of new semi-finished products, such as for the car transporter
When the Netherlands switches en masse to natural gas, the demand for fireplaces and stoves disappeared and the first steps were taken towards rolling vehicles, such as garden and park carts, car transporters and railway wheeled vehicles for track construction and repair.
1980 - Relocation to Kesteren
Due to steady growth more space is required and the company moves to Kesteren
The Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg ports were experiencing explosive growth at the time. This also ensured substantial growth at Vlastuin Metaalconstructie as a supplier to the railway and crane construction industry. The need to relocate became a necessity and in the late 1980s a new location was purchased in Kesteren and the first steps were taken in the world of metal component supply.
1987 - First tank trailer
Establishment Vlastuin Group
The new main activity included the development and production of metal components for truck manufacturing, trailer construction, agricultural and construction companies, among others. In the following years, significant investments were made in the development and production of new semi-manufactured products. More room is also created for high-quality technical equipment and expert employees. This period also saw the development of the VMA Tank Trailer (based on customer demand). This tank trailer is ideal for transporting manure, sludge and other solid and liquid products and specially designed for driving on internal roads and farmyards.
1991 - Founding of D-TEC
To market the unique Combitrailer®, an operating company is established: D-TEC
To make its range of products and services more complete, Vlastuin acquired the metalware factory Marver in the early 1990s to produce sheet metal and structures. A few years later, the first patented Combitrailer® was produced. The Combitrailer is a unique concept because it is divisible. This allows simultaneous unloading or loading of two 20ft containers. To market this transport solution, an operating company is established: D-TEC.
1997 - New management of Vlastuin Group
Sons Henk, Karel and Gerrit at the helm
Three sons of Jan van Vlastuin - Henk, Karel and Gerrit - take over D-TEC and Vlastuin Group.
1997 - Founding of VMA
Son Gerrit starts Vlastuin Manure Applications (VMA)
From engineering for the agricultural university and the ministry of LNV, VMA was born. It first started with manual sampling, but over time, from technical drive, a system was developed for automatic sampling of slurry, solid manure and tamper-proof packaging. VMA is currently the market leader in sampling, data registration and weighing of slurry transporters and the only party that can offer a complete package.
2006 - Gerrit van Vlastuin owner
Integrating D-TEC and VMA
Gerrit van Vlastuin becomes the sole owner of D-TEC and Vlastuin Group and starts the integration of D-TEC and VMA.
2008 - professionalisation
Automation
Under Gerrit's leadership, more and more production is done in-house and capacity is increased by, among other things, building a coating line and expanding welding capacity through robotisation. This ensures consistent, reliable quality and shortens lead times.
2010 - New markets
New product line
D-TEC develops a new product line, the D-TEC sorting and demolition grab. At the time, D-TEC is focused on providing solutions to challenges in the specific sectors of container and tank transport, as well as the construction industry.
2013 - Introduction D-TEC Portmaster
Lightest container chassis in the market
Never before has a container chassis been as lightweight as the Portmaster presented by D-TEC in 2013.
2015 - Acquisition Westrenen in Kesteren
Start Vlastuin Mechanisatie
Start Vlastuin Mechanisation, specialising in agriculture. Vlastuin Mechanisatie will also focus on service and maintenance of trailers.
2021 - Acquisition of service companies in Rotterdam and Gieten
Strengthening West and North
To strengthen service provision in the west and north of it, the service companies Jiannis Trailer Services & Rental in Rotterdam and TOS in Gieten are acquired
Trade & Service under the Vlastuin name
As of May 1, 2024, the activities have been divided into two separate companies, each with its own distinct identity and visual branding. Vlastuin is the new name for the service, rental, sales, and financing of trailers, trucks, and tractors in the Benelux.
How it all began
Join us on a journey through time and view images from our history (video approx. 13 min).