Vanclaes BV

What Vanclaes BV does

Vanclaes BV is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of stainless steel boat trailers founded in 2012 and headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, with around nine employees. Its core product is a modular, fully stainless-steel trailer platform built around proprietary technologies including a coil spring axle system, a self-centering GYRO roller loading system, 100% waterproof LED lighting (with EU type-approval exemption allowing no removable lightbar), and disc brakes with oil-filled wheel bearings. The portfolio spans standard variants for motor boats, RIBs, fishing boats, sailing boats and jetskis through to specialty lines including fifthwheel trailers, air-braked lorry/lorry-trailers rated up to 20,000 kg, center-axle professional trailers up to 7,700 kg, and marina equipment (marina trailers, showroom cradles, beach launchers). Revenue is generated primarily through one-time trailer sales at unit prices ranging roughly €17,000–€26,000 for standard heavy-duty models, with secondary streams from bespoke mega-yacht and custom engineering projects (20+ per year), a structured maintenance service business, and a spare-parts webshop.

The company sells through a hybrid go-to-market model: direct e-commerce configuration on vanclaes.com, an on-site Experience Center for enterprise and custom-solution deals, and a multi-country European dealer network supplemented by Gold partner service centers for emergency-services and professional customers. Customer segments are unusually diverse for a 9-person manufacturer: recreational hobbyists (fishing, sailing, water-ski, racing teams), professional maritime operators, public-sector and emergency-services buyers (Dutch Police, Dutch Fire Brigade, KNRM, DLRG, German Red Cross, Search and Rescue Devon), military organizations (Dutch Army, Army of Bangladesh), and a high-margin mega-yacht tender vertical — all supported by multi-language (Dutch/English/German) digital presence and a Tectrax distribution partnership for boat-launcher technology.

Name

Vanclaes BV

Legal name

Vanclaes BV

Website

https://vanclaes.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vanclaes BV is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of fully stainless-steel boat trailers featuring proprietary coil-spring axles, GYRO roller systems, and waterproof LED lighting, serving recreational boaters, emergency-services and military buyers, and mega-yacht clients across more than 20 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Alphen aan den Rijn

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Boat Trailer Sales: One-time hardware sales of boat trailers including standard configurations (Base, Motor Boats, RIB Boats, Fishing, Skiing, Sailing) and custom solutions. Prices range from approximately €17,000 to over €26,000 for heavy-duty models.
2. Maintenance and Repair Services: Professional maintenance services for trailers including unbraked and braked models with 1-3 axles. Services include brake adjustment, lighting checks, axle and tire inspection, lubrication, and part replacement.
3. Spare Parts Sales: Comprehensive spare parts catalog including loading systems, brakes, wheel bearings, lighting, winches, frame parts, tires, and accessories.
4. Custom/Mega Yacht Solutions: Custom engineering solutions for mega yachts, garden trailers, and specialized applications. Over 20 projects annually for large clientele domestically and abroad.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Vanclaes BV designs, manufactures, and sells fully stainless steel boat trailers for a wide range of vessels including motor boats, RIB boats, fishing boats, sailing boats, jetskis, and specialty heavy-duty applications. Its portfolio spans standard boat trailers, fifthwheel and lorry/air-braked commercial trailers, marina equipment, dynamic trolleys, and gangways, complemented by a comprehensive spare-parts catalog and professional maintenance and repair services. Differentiated by proprietary technologies such as the coil spring axle system, GYRO roller system, waterproof LED lighting, and disc brakes with oil-filled wheel bearings.

Product overview

Vanclaes BV offers a comprehensive portfolio of stainless steel boat trailers and marine equipment. The core offering consists of Standard Boat Trailers available in multiple variants (Motor Boats, RIB Boats, Fishing Boats, Sailing Boats, Jetskis) with different loading systems (Wave, Excelleron, GYRO, Gladius, Nautique). Specialty products include Fifthwheel Boat Trailers, Lorry Boat Trailers (professional air-braked up to 20T), Center Axle Trailers, and Marina Equipment (marina trailers, showroom cradles, beach launchers). Supporting the trailers are spare parts (loading systems, axles, brakes, lighting, winches, tires) and maintenance services. Key differentiating technologies include the Coil Spring Axle System, GYRO Roller System, waterproof LED lighting, and disc brakes. All products feature fully stainless steel construction for durability and corrosion resistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standard Boat Trailers Modular, fully stainless steel boat trailers offered in many variants tailored to boat type and loading system: Base, Motor Boats (Wave, Excelleron, GYRO), RIB Boats (Wave, GYRO), Sloop and Tender boats (Navis), Jetski and Double Jetski, Little Inflatables, Fishing and Fishing PRO, Skiing Boats, Lifting Keel sailing boats (Gladius), Longkeel sailing boats (Nautique), Heavy Duty 3500kg models, and Axopar-specific trailers. Sold through direct e-commerce, Experience Center, and European dealer network.
• Fifthwheel Boat Trailers Heavy-duty boat trailers using fifthwheel coupling, compatible with console boats, keel boats, motor boats, RIBs, sloops, speedboats, waterski/wakeboard boats, and sailboats with lifting keels. Pricing available on request.
• Lorry Boat Trailers Professional air-braked boat trailers for heavy commercial use, including semi-trailers with capacities from 5,000 kg to 20,000 kg, designed for daily professional road use and heavy boat transport.
• Center Axle Trailers with Air Brakes Air-braked center axle trailers rated up to 7,700 kg for professional heavy boat transport, with frame lengths from 7.5m to 11.5m. Prices range from approximately €17,347 to €23,134 ex VAT.
• Marina Equipment Harbor equipment including marina trailers for motor yachts and sailing yachts (braked and unbraked), showroom cradles for boat display, and beach launchers for direct beach access. Targeted at professional marina and harbor operators.
• Dynamic Trolleys Portable trolleys for boat handling and positioning, used to move boats in marinas, showrooms, and storage facilities.
• Gangway (Walkway) Boat trailer gangways and walkways in various sizes from 50 cm to 160 cm, providing easy boarding access on and off trailers.
• Spare Parts Comprehensive spare parts catalog including loading systems (keel and bow rollers, Wave, GYRO, bunks loading, jetski charging systems), axles/brakes/wheelbearings (torsion axles, drum and disc brakes, overrun brake components), LED lighting components, electric and manual winches (Warrior Samurai 9500, Warrior Ninja 4500), tires and wheels, and frame parts. Sold via online webshop.
• Maintenance and Repair Services Professional maintenance services for unbraked and braked trailers with 1 to 3 axles, including over 50-point inspections, brake adjustment, lighting checks, axle and tire inspection, lubrication, and part replacement. Tire replacement and corrosion-protection products also offered. Pricing: unbraked maintenance €175 ex VAT; 1-axle braked €244; 2-axle braked €430; 3-axle braked €544 ex VAT.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% more braking power with disc brakes compared to drum brakes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TectraxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTectrax partnership for boat launcher technology. Vanclaes serves as distribution partner for Tectrax boat launchers, integrating complementary technology into their product offerings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AL-KO Vehicle Technology (Kober Group): German manufacturer of trailer axles, chassis and chassis components serving European and global trailer OEMs and caravan builders. Comparable to Vanclaes as a broad incumbent supplying trailer suspension and chassis technology across the European trailer market.
• BPW Bergische Achsen: German trailer axle and suspension systems supplier serving commercial vehicle and trailer manufacturers globally. Comparable to Vanclaes as a broad-incumbent supplier of trailer running gear; BPW's commercial/fleet focus is adjacent to Vanclaes's specialty trailer manufacturing.

Direct peers

• Shorelander Trailers: U.S. aluminum boat trailer manufacturer with deep recreational and pontoon focus. Directly comparable to Vanclaes for product-line diversity across multiple boat categories and dealer-supported aftermarket.
• Yacht Club Trailers: U.S. brand offering aluminum and galvanized boat trailers for jet boats, pontoons, ski/wake boats and small fishing craft. Directly comparable to Vanclaes's recreational-segment focus and modular product variants for different hull types.
• Magic Tilt Trailers: Family-owned U.S. aluminum boat trailer maker serving ski, wakeboard, fishing and pontoon segments. Directly comparable to Vanclaes as a specialist manufacturer with model-specific loading systems targeting sport and leisure boaters.
• Karavan Trailers: Major U.S. boat trailer manufacturer producing aluminum and galvanized trailers across motorboat, pontoon, and personal watercraft segments. Directly comparable to Vanclaes as a dedicated boat trailer specialist with broad product line and dealer distribution.
• BoatMate Trailers: U.S. boat trailer brand offering single-, tandem- and tri-axle aluminum and galvanized boat trailers. Comparable to Vanclaes for breadth of hull configurations, capacity tiers, and dealer-based distribution for both recreational and light-commercial customers.
• Load Rite Trailers: Established U.S. boat trailer manufacturer offering galvanized and aluminum trailers across multiple boat categories. Comparable to Vanclaes for product breadth, dealer-supported distribution, and focus on recreational and commercial marine transport.

Others

• Tectrax: New Zealand-based developer of electric boat-launch and drivetrain systems distributed in Europe by Vanclaes. Adjacent ecosystem participant — partner, not direct competitor — that extends Vanclaes's product range into electrified boat-handling equipment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uwvanclaes
• Facebookfacebook.com/vanclaesbv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vanclaes-bv

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 Vanclaes BV