Two miller’s sons witnessed the introduction of the steam engine during the Industrial Revolution. In the Flemish Rupelstreek, they started up the first brickworks within the Heylen family. With a small clay pit, but full of ambition.

Rails were vital to transport clay and bricks. During the war, however, the Germans seized all the rails. But the brothers were determined: one night Bernard and Modest Heylen stole the rails back and buried them. As a result of this, they were the first to be back up and running after the war. Modest Heylen died shortly after the outbreak of the war.

World War II rages inexorably through our country in a very short space of time. During this period, there is no demand for bricks because there were other priorities. All Heylen factories are therefore inactive for as long as the war continues.

Construction of a huge firing kiln. Production in 3 ring kilns. Loads are now transported using fork-lift trucks. 

Automation of the brickworks in Terhagen, this factory has 2 tunnel kilns and automatic drying chambers. 
Construction of a facing brick factory in Veldwezelt by Joseph Heylen, Bernard’s eldest son.

The 2nd generation splits, the 3 brothers divide up the 3 factories. From this point, Joseph Heylen goes his separate way.

In 2004, son Wim Heylen has the task of keeping the family business on course and giving it direction. 

In 2011, the factory in Veldwezelt is expanded to guarantee the continuity of the company. 

In 2016, the ECO brick slip is introduced. This completely new brick slip factory developed by Matthieu van de Berg and Wim Heylen merges together with a large group. This merger made it possible to realise innovations even more quickly within the traditional coarse ceramics sector. The brick press, hybrid drying chamber and tunnel kiln with very low gas consumption - all developed inhouse - are excellent examples of innovation within the brick slip factory. 

The clay is deeply embedded in our development. In 2018 Wim Heylen set up Smoked Bricks/Joseph Bricks, named after his father Joseph Heylen.