History of Van Beers

Van Beers was founded in 1954 as a specialised shoemaking atelier in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands. Since its founding, craftsmanship and attention to detail have been at the core of the company.

In the early years, the atelier focused on regular footwear, operating from a small workshop behind the family home. In the early 1970s, a request to produce white boots for a local majorette group marked a turning point. This coincided with the growing popularity of majorettes and led to a shift towards specialised footwear.

During the 1980s, Van Beers expanded its activities and took over a shop in Rotterdam. This led to collaborations with Van den Ende Productions (later Stage Entertainment), opening the door to theatre and entertainment projects.

In 1985, Van Beers began working with the Efteling theme park, supplying shoes, belts and leather goods. Over the years, the company became the dedicated shoemaker for much of the park’s entertainment and theatre productions.

The company continued to grow and moved to a larger location in 1992. In 2017 and 2021, Van Beers relocated again to accommodate its development, with the current atelier based in Kaatsheuvel.

Today, Van Beers is a specialist in footwear for historical, ceremonial and entertainment applications. The atelier produces medieval shoes, historical boots, guild shoes and custom footwear for theatre, film and themed environments.