It began with the dream of Honoré Kerckhaert and his machine that made it possible to produce horseshoes with the same precision as he made them as a master farrier. What started as a vision now represents 120 years of continuous innovation.
What goes on behind the scenes at Kerckhaert’s dedicated R&D department? Meet Roy Paridaen, R&D Manager at the Royal Kerckhaert Horseshoe Factory.
“Continuous innovation is in our DNA and has shaped Kerckhaert’s success for more than four generations. Our entire team shares this passion and drive, creating an environment where we are encouraged to think ahead, experiment and push boundaries. Michiel and Martin Kerckhaert know better than anyone that innovation needs space to develop and keeps us ahead in the market. For an R&D team, precisely this trust and freedom is everything.” , shares Roy.
The Kerckhaert Formula for creating a machine that pushes limits. A new machine or application usually starts with a real challenge: a new product, an improvement, more process efficiency, a supplier failing to deliver… These situations require creative thinking and a search for possibilities. “We never choose the easy road”, chuckles Roy. “When we design and build a machine, compromise simply isn’t part of the vocabulary. That challenge is what makes the work meaningful — pushing limits, finding solutions, refusing to settle.” His saying “Not going isn’t an option” has become more than a motto; it’s how Kerckhaert thinks and creates. Custom-built machinery isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. By designing and constructing every machine in-house, there is complete control over every detail exactly as intended. No shortcuts. No concessions. Just superior standards.
The specializations of each team member naturally reinforce each other. They all share that real passion for technology, and when you bring that energy together, you can create something special. “I am extremely proud of how our team has set up our successful plastics department for Hoofjack and Bovi-Bond claw blocks in such a short time. These are milestones and proof of what a team can achieve when everyone shares the same drive and conviction”, shares Roy. “Winning the Innovation Award with our HardTop Technology is a really nice recognition of the strength of our teamwork. That tech didn’t just happen overnight because it’s so detailed and involved in the whole process.”
Innovation never stops. Roy believes there’s always room for progress, for example in refining machine settings. “One machine can craft over 800 horseshoes; each with adjusted left-right creases, specific nail hole placement, and details tailored to the horse’s needs. That means each shoe demands its specific production protocol and with that specific adjustment that require precision and expertise. Our machine operators, the true craftsmen in this process, have mastered this intricate art to an incredible degree. However, with further innovation, we can empower them even more by creating tools and systems that elevate their skill and ensure the unique asymmetry we’re known for. For us excellence means no compromise in materials and production processes. That makes our dedication to excellence endless and yet unrivaled.”, explains Roy.
In 2026 we proudly mark 120 years of shaping the industry through Game-Changing solutions
that pushed boundaries and unlocked new levels of performance for farriers and
horses worldwide. We don’t measure success by how far we’ve come, but by how far
we can still go... together. United by passion and driven by innovation, we continue to
forge a difference in every horse’s hoof health and performance worldwide.
DISCOVER THE GAME CHANGERS AND BE PART OF WHAT’S NEXT!
The Farriery Innovation Award honours the innovators driving the next evolution in hoof care while celebrating bold ideas that are changing hoof care, shoeing techniques, and farrier tools. The award recognises the solutions that combine sustainability, smart engineering, and a lasting impact on the profession.
FARRIERY INNOVATION AWARD 2025: LIBERTY HARDTOP TECHNOLOGY
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