Royal Dutch pipe factory Elbert Gubbels & Zn. B.V.

The Royal Dutch pipe factory Elbert Gubbels & Zn. B.V. (Dutch: Koninklijke Fabriek van Tabakspijpen Elbert Gubbels) is a Dutch manufacturer of tobacco pipes, founded in 1870 in Roermond. The family business originally operated from the Keulsebaan in Roermond and grew from making simple pipes to more complex designs. It produced briar wood pipes and was granted the Royal predicate in 1972, after which it also used the English name Royal Dutch pipe factory Elbert Gubbels & Zn. B.V. At its peak around 1990, the company employed 65 people and produced brands including Big Ben and Hilson, as well as the Porsche brand under license. After acquiring the Belgian manufacturer Knoedgen in 1979, Elbert Gubbels remained the only pipe factory in the Benelux, exporting about 70% of its production worldwide. In the 21st century the market shrank considerably, leading to layoffs in 2007 and 2009. The company moved to smaller premises at Oude Trambaan 27 in Herten in 2009, the last year it made a profit. Further cost-cutting and a cooperation agreement with German pipe maker Rainer Barbi could not save it; on 1 March 2012 the company, then employing 26 people, was declared bankrupt. In May 2012 it was bought by Elbert Gubbels jr., the former owner, who revived it through a restart. Today the company operates under the Big Ben brand, selling tobacco pipes and accessories online via bigben.nl, with its address at Heerstraat-Noord 69a, 6099 AW Beegden, Netherlands.

The Royal Dutch pipe factory Elbert Gubbels & Zn. B.V. was founded in 1870 in Roermond, Netherlands, originally located at the Keulsebaan. The family business grew strongly, and its products evolved from simple pipes to more complicated designs. It manufactured briar wood pipes, among others. In 1972 the company was granted the Royal predicate, and later also used the English name Royal Dutch pipe factory Elbert Gubbels & Zn. B.V. At its peak around 1990, the company employed 65 people. It produced brands including Big Ben and Hilson, and under license the Porsche brand. After acquiring the Belgian manufacturer Knoedgen in 1979, Elbert Gubbels remained the only pipe factory in the Benelux. About 70% of production was exported worldwide. In the 21st century the sales market shrank considerably, and a large part of the workforce was laid off in 2007 and 2009. The company intended to move all production abroad and keep only product development in the Netherlands, but this plan was never carried out. In 2009 it moved to smaller premises at Oude Trambaan 27 in Herten. This was also the last year in which a profit was made. Further cost savings and a cooperation agreement with the German pipe manufacturer Rainer Barbi could not help. On 1 March 2012 the company, by then employing only 26 workers, was declared bankrupt. In May of that year the company was bought by Elbert Gubbels jr., former owner, in order to revive it through a restart. Today the company operates under the Big Ben brand, selling tobacco pipes and accessories online via bigben.nl, with its address at Heerstraat-Noord 69a, 6099 AW Beegden, Netherlands.

• 2012

  Declared bankrupt on 1 March; bought by Elbert Gubbels jr. in May and restarted.

• 2009

  Moved to smaller premises in Herten; last profitable year.

• 2007

  Layoffs due to shrinking market.

• 1990

  Peak employment of 65 people.

• 1979

  Acquired Belgian manufacturer Knoedgen, becoming the only pipe factory in the Benelux.

• 1972

  Granted the Royal predicate.

• 1870

  Founded in Roermond, Netherlands.

Royal predicate holder and historic Dutch pipe manufacturer, now focused on the Big Ben brand of tobacco pipes and accessories sold online.

• Big Ben

  Brand of tobacco pipes produced by the company.

• Hilson

  Brand of tobacco pipes produced by the company.

• Porsche (licensed)

  Porsche brand pipes produced under license.

1. 1Big Ben pijp kopen? De beste tabakspijpen sinds 1870 - bigbenbigben.nl
2. 2Royal Dutch pipe factory Elbert Gubbels & Zn. B.V. - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Elbert Gubbels - Wikipedianl.wikipedia.org