110 years of balance
The shoeing of horses. That is where it all started back in 1911. A traditional blacksmith's workshop where everything was done by hand.

Although the company was managed very traditionally, Handerie was always on the lookout for new products and new markets.

When he noticed the production of agricultural plants under glass was also on the rise in the south of Nederlands, he wanted a piece of the pie. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the development of the 'Venlo Warenhuis' (Greenhouse).

It was far from the last invention of the family. Entrepreneurship turned out to be running in the family's blood.

Curious where it brought them? Watch the video.
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700+ systems

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30+ partners

40+ years in currency

In 1978, Kusters received a request that would change their entire business within a few years. John Enschede - the printer of Dutch stamps and banknotes - had no idea how to properly and safely dispose of his waste paper, like misprints.

Kusters, therefore, invited Joh. Enschede to come over. It turned out the waste reducers could handle the banknotes and stamps very well. The briquetting presses, invented for pressing chicken manure into fuel briquettes, were also very suitable to compact the banknote and stamp shreds.

The next step was to incorporate these techniques into one system. Then, the first-ever banknote (and stamps) destruction system was a fact.

How Kusters subsequently conquered the exclusive market of central banks, you can read in our book: 100 years of balance.

10 years 'Royal Dutch'

The 'Royal Dutch' certificate

The 'Royal Dutch' title is a special distinction that can be granted to associations, foundations, institutions or large companies.

The guidelines to become 'Royal' are very strict and include that the company needs to be existing for at least 100 years, has a leading position in the industry and fulfils a prominent position within the region.

It is an important recognition of quality, integrity and reliability.

On 9 June 2011, our 100th anniversary, Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands awarded us the title 'Royal Dutch'.

Already ten years, we wear this predicate with pride.

70 years at L.J. Costerstraat

The Laurens Janszoon Costerstraat, where Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering is located in Venlo, the Netherlands, is named after L.J. Coster from Haarlem. By Dutch people, he is considered to be the inventor of book printing before Johannes Gutenberg from Germany.

True or not, we are proud to be located on such a street name directly associated with printing and so with banknote printing and destruction.

16 June 2021, we are 70 years located at the L.J. Costerstraat in Venlo, the Netherlands.
L.J. Coster