What Royal Kerckhaert does

Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory is a Dutch family-owned manufacturer founded in 1906 by Honoré Kerckhaert in Vogelwaarde, Netherlands, and currently in its fourth generation of family ownership. The company is the self-described largest independent horseshoe manufacturer in the world, operating a House of Brands portfolio of nine brands (Kerckhaert, Liberty, Diamond, Vettec, Hoofjack, Save Edge, Maddox+, Mercury, and Quality) spanning horseshoes, farrier nails, hoof rasps, shoeing and forging tools, workshop equipment, and hoof care products. Proprietary manufacturing techniques include the patented Cu Shield four-layer copper coating on Liberty nails, rotational moulding for Hoofjack hoof stands, and Save Edge's unique rasp sharpening methodology. The firm is celebrating its 120th anniversary and receiving the Royal Predicate in 2026.

The business operates a B2B distribution model, selling exclusively through an authorized global dealer network that spans 88+ countries, supplemented by two regional webshops (Benelux and Export) and named anchor distributors Eurofers, Strömsholm, and FPD. Pricing is dealer-driven and quote-based with no public list pricing, consistent with channel-led B2B distribution. End-customer segments include professional farriers (primary), the racing industry, sports and show horses, and Icelandic horses, with a recently added bovine hoof-care vertical.

Revenue is generated through hardware sales across all product lines, with no disclosed financial figures; the company is privately held with no external investors identified. Beyond core horseshoeing, recent commercial activity includes the 2025 launch of the asymmetric Tölt Horseshoe for Icelandic horses, expansion into dental care tools, and ongoing product development across the Diamond, Save Edge, and Mercury rasp lines.

Name

Royal Kerckhaert

Legal name

Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory

Website

https://kerckhaert.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Royal Kerckhaert is the world's largest independent horseshoe manufacturer, family-owned since 1906 across four generations, operating a House of Brands portfolio (Kerckhaert, Liberty, Diamond, Vettec, Hoofjack, Save Edge, Maddox+, Mercury, Quality) distributed through authorized dealers in 88+ countries to professional farriers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vogelwaarde

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Horseshoes: Manufactures and sells a wide range of horseshoes including allround, race, sports, and specialized collections. The core product line that built four generations of business.
2. Farrier Nails: High-quality nails including Liberty and Maddox+ brands, with copper-coated Cu Shield technology options. Sold through dealer network globally.
3. Hoof Rasps and Tools: Sells rasps under Mercury, Save Edge, and Diamond brands, along with forging tools, shoeing tools, and workshop equipment.
4. Hoof Care Products: Includes pads, studs, inserts, dental care tools, nutrition supplements, and hoof repair products under Vettec and Diamond brands.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Royal Kerckhaert manufactures and sells horseshoes, farrier nails, hoof rasps, forging and shoeing tools, hoof care products, and related equipment for the global farrier industry. Operating a House of Brands strategy with nine distinct brands (Kerckhaert, Liberty, Diamond, Vettec, Hoofjack, Save Edge, Maddox+, Mercury, and Quality), the company provides complete farrier solutions ranging from racing plates to orthopedic shoes and hoof repair materials.

Product overview

Royal Kerckhaert is the largest independent horseshoe manufacturer in the world, operating as a House of Brands with nine distinct brands: Kerckhaert (horseshoes), Liberty (nails with Cu Shield Technology), Diamond (forging and trimming tools, anvils, hoof care), Vettec (hoof repair and care products), Hoofjack (hoof stands with rotational moulding), Save Edge (rasps with unique sharpening), Maddox+ (economical nails), Mercury (hoof rasps), and Quality (traditional horseshoes). The portfolio spans horseshoes in multiple collections (Allround, American, Century, Classic, DF, Diamond, Icelandic Tölt, Meister, Pride, SN, Triumph, Quality, Race, Alu Race, Steel Race), nails, hoof rasps, shoeing and forging tools, trimming tools, workshop equipment, hoof care products (pads, studs, inserts, dental care, nutrition), clothing & accessories, special shoes (plastic, race, orthopaedic), and bovine products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kerckhaert: Core horseshoe brand dedicated to excellence, forged in tradition and shaped by innovation.
• Liberty
• Diamond
• Vettec
• Hoofjack
• Save Edge
• Maddox+
• Mercury
• Quality

Products and services

• Kerckhaert Horseshoes

Quantifiable outcome

• Largest independent horseshoe manufacturer in the world
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EuroferscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean distribution partner serving specific regional markets with Kerckhaert horseshoes, nails, and farrier tools.
• StrömsholmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based distribution partner providing Kerckhaert farrier products to the British market.
• FPD (Farrier Products Distributor)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized farrier products distribution partner serving the farrier industry.
• Global Dealer NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of authorized dealers in over 88 countries serving professional farriers with Kerckhaert products.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mustad Hoofcare: Norwegian-headquartered global manufacturer of horseshoes, nails, and farrier tools. Mustad is Royal Kerckhaert's closest direct competitor, with overlapping product categories (shoes, nails, rasps) and a similarly broad international dealer footprint.
• St. Croix Forge: US-based forge producing horseshoes and hoof care tools for the North American farrier market. Directly competes with Kerckhaert's horseshoe and tool lines in professional farrier channels.
• Werkman Hoofcare: Dutch farrier tools and horseshoe manufacturer operating from the same region as Kerckhaert. Competes in the European market on shoeing tools, rasps, and horseshoes for professional farriers.
• Anvil Brand: US-based manufacturer and distributor of farrier tools, horseshoes, and supplies. Overlaps with Kerckhaert in tools and horseshoe categories and serves a comparable professional-farrier customer base in North America.
• Bloom Forge: Farrier tool and horseshoe manufacturer serving professional farriers. Directly comparable in product categories (tools, shoes) and end users.
• GE Forge: Manufacturer of horseshoes and farrier products. Competes with Kerckhaert across horseshoe models and professional farrier tooling.

Broad incumbents

• Delta Mustad: Broader industrial and hoofcare fastener group with historical roots in the Mustad brand. Operates adjacent product lines (fasteners, tools) in addition to horseshoes, giving it a wider portfolio than Kerckhaert's horseshoe-focused business.

Regional players

• FPD (Farrier Products Distributor): US-based specialized farrier products distributor that also markets its own house brands. Comparable as a regional channel player with branded product lines, though focused on North America rather than Kerckhaert's global footprint.
• Eurofers: European farrier product distributor with proprietary and partner brands. Comparable as a regional channel-and-brand operator in Europe that overlaps with Kerckhaert's dealer footprint.
• Strömsholm: UK-based distributor of farrier products and equestrian supplies. Comparable as a regional channel player whose product range overlaps with Kerckhaert's horseshoe and farrier tool lines in the British market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RoyalKerckhaert
• Facebookfacebook.com/royalkerckhaerthorseshoefactory
• LinkedInnl.linkedin.com/company/royal-kerckhaert-horseshoe-factory
• Instagraminstagram.com/kerckhaerthorseshoes
• Xx.com/RoyalKerckhaert

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Royal Kerckhaert