Elbert Gubbels extended his business up to WWII, getting his supplies mainly from France and England. However, wars are no friend to trade, and Holland was invaded by German troops in May 1940, so the family fled north. They tried to eke out a living by buying and selling what little there was available. Following the end of the war in 1945, they returned home to pick up the business, an arduous task as material was lacking and importing material was almost impossible. It was in that period that Elbert Gubbels, now the sole owner of the business, decided to follow Jean Hillen, by becoming totally independent and producing everything himself. The future factory started off with two machines and three French artisans in a small workshop...read more