1921
The toy factory starts manufacturing cardboard horses in 1921. The first horses are produced in the house, which was partly used as a workshop. Nazaire and his wife do all the work themselves, assisted by two local women. A few years later, in 1925, they need to build an extra workshop at the rear of the house as they are in need of more room for pressing the toy horses, treating the wood and drying out the toy horses. About 1930, they need to extend a second time as the room for drying out their finished products proves to be too small.
1935
The business is so successful that by the end of the thirties BEEUSAERT has a strong reputation as manufacturer of cardboard horses in Belgium. The range of products is by then extended to many other kinds of animals (dogs, sheep, elephants, etc.). They are available in different forms and sizes. The number of models totals about 70 ! Each year, from 1930 on, BEEUSAERT participates with an own stand at the Trade Fair in Brussels. He takes over the cardboard horses of the VEECK Company of Brussels in 1935 and starts manufacturing the toy horses in a “mechanical way”.
1940
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the production of toy horses has to be stopped by lack of cardboard. Beeusaert is afraid he’ll have to close down his factory, but fortunately he is asked to manufacture toy soldiers instead. This is an excellent solution to his problems. The first soldiers are marked BM, as they are an exclusive product of BON MARCHE. During the war, the range of products is widened with new figurines: Indians, cowboys, Christmas figurines, etc. All figurines are now marked with the letters NB (Nazaire Beeusaert). But after the war, he starts again manufacturing toy horses as well.
1950
The sons Julien and Romain Beeusaert join their father’s company in the beginning of the fifties. They widely extend the range of products with all kinds of constructions: fortresses, trenches, castles, farms, Indian tents, etc.
1958
The year is a milestone for Beeusaert but it also a turning point in his life. The success of the plastic toys is threatening the cardboard horses and toy soldiers made of “papier mâché”. He reacts by diversifying his products and launches a series of costumes and tents. In the sixties, he takes over the production of rubber “Tintin” dolls.
1965
Nazaire BEEUSAERT passes away in 1965. This means the end of NAZAIRE BEEUSAERT’s company. The sons split the company and each of them starts his own business. Julien Beeusaert gradually passes from own production to a wholesale trade of toys. The BEEUSAERT private limited company was handed over to Dirk Beeusaert, Julien’s son. Activities end in 2007. Romain Beeusaert continues manufacturing costumes and tents for a few years but finally specializes in the production of fabrics for garden articles, like garden furniture. The ROMICO Company stops all its activities in 2000.