1977
DS in time 1977 opstart

Start-up

International equestrian sport events rely on De Sutter Naturally for an unique appearance and the guarantee of saf Peter De Sutter got to know equestrian sports as a stable boy under top rider Eric Wauters. He noticed that there were no professional solutions for horse fences and field gates at that time. A gap in the market. So, he set to work as a creative entrepreneur. This was the start of De Sutter Naturally. Top quality, safety, durability and exclusive appearance.

1978
DS in time 1978 classic: jarenlang een topper

Classic: A top seller for years

For 20 years, De Sutter managed to impress with one type of fence. The sturdy Classic: A board secured between two semi-round posts made of creosoted softwood.

1996
DS in time 1996 Jeffrey leert de kneepjes van het vak

Jeffrey learns the tricks of the trade

Jeffrey De Sutter is getting the hang of it. The then 14-year-old 'son of' helps with the installations during the holidays. Eventually - after graduating as a horticulturalist - he started as a full-time installer in 2000.

1997

De Sutter do Brasil

Sustainability is always an important criterion in the selection of our wood. Initially, all fences were made of wood from Belgium and Germany. For gates, we could not find any wood that met the quality criteria. Peter finally found it in Brazil. Durable and high quality tropical hardwood. The Sutter do Brasil - the factory in Brazil (now sold) - grew into a company with 70 workers.

1998
DS in time 1998 De Sutter gaat internationaal

De Sutter goes international

Belgium still remains the most important market, but horse lovers from various other countries can appreciate the quality and exclusivity of De Sutter Naturally. As the first supplier of hardwood fences and gates, we are and will remain the reference par excellence.

2000
DS in time 2000 Onze palentrilmachine gaat in dienst

Our post driver goes into service

Natural curves, difficult differences in level, beautiful straight lines... When installing our field fences and gates, we leave nothing to chance. Thanks to the in-house developed post driver, we can install the posts without concrete or cement. The tracks on the machine make it possible to work on any surface. With lasers and sensors, we ensure that the posts are on exactly the right position.

2002
DS in time 2002 Nieuw gebouw in Kampenhout

New building in Kampenhout

De Sutter Naturally grows. The new building in Kampenhout - centrally located in Belgium - gives us a professional image and opportunities for growth. A greater stock allows us to respond almost immediately to the demands of our customers.

2005
DS in time Partners in het buitenland

Partners abroad

We found our first professional partner: Berger, in Germany. Important from the very first moment of cooperation. A partner with the same values in terms of quality, durability and safety.

2007
DS in time 2007 Top-Jumps

Top-Jumps

Jeffrey is a passionate entrepreneur, just like his father. He started his own company - Top-Jumps - with a range of showjumping materials.

2010
DS in time 2010 State-of-the-art productie in Kampenhout

State-of-the-art production in Kampenhout

Respond quickly to customer demands? We do. With our in-house production unit, we can not only produce more, we can also monitor quality optimally. For example, our CNC computer-controlled machine works to an accuracy of 0.1 mm. Thus, we make horse fences and field gates with the highest degree of finish.

2010
DS in time 2010 Harthout uit Afrika

Hardwood from Africa

With the rising prices of hardwood in Brazil, we are looking for new opportunities. Since 2010, we have been importing our high-quality, sustainable hardwood from Africa. The durability class 1 wood - the highest quality achievable - arrives in Antwerp, where we cut to size and produce our fences and gates locally in Belgium.

2011
DS in time 2011 Equinan

Equinan

In 2011, we took over Equinan from Zulte, a builder of fences and field gates for horses, as well as other animals. Equinan - as a specialist in wire mesh - also serves broader market segments. An expertise that De Sutter Naturally perfectly complements to further expand our total service.

2011
FSC and PEFC labels ds in time

FSC and PEFC labels

We receive an FSC label. Such a label guarantees that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests and is subject to strict rules and control. Incidentally, it is the only label of its kind that is supported by environmental organisations such as WWF and Greenpeace. 
Our wood also meets the PEFC standard. This label guarantees the consumer that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
 

2012
DS in time 2012 Square is geboren

Square is born

We are launching a new product: the Square, with a unique design with a rounded top. Still a best seller!

2013
DS in time 2013 Uitbreiding in Kampenhout

Expansion in Kampenhout

Increasing demands and a large stock require expansion. Top-Jumps is also growing. We compensate it by expanding with 4 000 m² of additional warehouse space.

2014
DS in time 2014 Jeffrey aan zet

The ball is in Jeffrey’s court

A new regime with an ambitious Jeffrey at the helm who focuses on expansion and export. Since then, De Sutter Naturally has experienced unprecedented growth. 

2017
DS in time 2017 Schuilstal

Shelter

At the customer's request, we developed a shelter. With the same value and quality as our fences in terms of durability and safety, we have a new top product in our range.

2017
DS in time 2017 40 jaar De Sutter Naturally

40 years De Sutter Naturally

An occasion that called for not one but two festive evenings.

2018
DS in time 2018 1 merk, 3 filialen

1 brand, 3 branches

De Sutter Naturally, Equinan and Distrifence (international B2B distribution network) become one. We are also opening a third branch in Herentals.

2020
DS in time 2020 wood solutions

Wood Solutions

We are strong in wood. That is why we are expanding. We use our wood for new applications. The natural material, which is ecologically sound, lends itself to various applications.

2021
Infinity

Innovative fencing in RECO: Infinity

The scarcity of wood makes us innovate with other materials. The result is Infinity in RECO design: recycled plastic composite or 100% recycled plastic. An out-of-the-box development that we have been focusing on in recent years. The most ecological solution on the market, even the end product can be recycled.

2021

Densiforce® - the quality label

De Sutter quality now has a registered name: Densiforce®. The new quality mark for the production process of our impregnated softwood range. Your ultimate guarantee for a more environmentally-friendly process, extending the life of our wood to 20 years and more.

2022
Lenaerts

Company takeover of Lenaerts

De Sutter Naturally takes over the company “Lenaerts’ Gates”. By doing this, it expands its services in a niche market and enters the residential market with wooden driveway gates for home use. A perfect addition to the existing offer.

2023

Opening new showroom Turnhout

We are opening the gates of a new showroom in Turnhout. This new location will host both our fences and a wide range of residential gates, in an experience garden unique of its kind. The opening of this innovative showroom in Turnhout marks an important milestone on our path to growth.