The rich timeline that traces Pas Reform’s 100-year history in the hatchery business features many product launches, a steady flow of innovations and continuous expansions through organic growth and acquisitions. But one thing remains the same: Pas Reform’s commitment to deliver the highest number of best-quality chicks!
Until the beginning of the twentieth century, the chicken was simply viewed as a farmyard animal and poultry farming was very much a secondary business. The meat was only eaten on very special occasions and eggs that were not for personal use were either exchanged for other necessities, or sold on the local market.
From broody hen to artificial incubation
Pas Reform’s story begins in 1919, when Gerrit Pas (1890-1930) turns his skills in developing a new incubation system and establishes the ‘Reform’ incubator factory
Gerrit develops the Flatbed (Vlakbroeder), Reform’s first branded incubator, with a capacity of 60 hatching eggs and marketed as the ‘Gold Standard’
In the 1920s Reform’s activities also include the manufacture of poultry houses and other related products, such as feeding troughs and brooders
Reform expands its portfolio by launching the Incubation station (Broedcentrale), with a capacity up to 200 hatching eggs per unit
In the mid-1920s Reform expands rapidly and in 1926 a new factory hall is built, with a capacity of 250 incubation stations per year
Reform factory team in 1926. Gerrit is in the centre, wearing the hat. In that year recruitment of 14 skilled workers help expand Reform’s production
Theo Pas (1901-1986) takes over the business and pulls Reform through the crisis years of the 1930s
Reform exhibits an Incubation station at the Ornithophilia fair in 1931 in Utrecht, The Netherlands
During the crisis years Reform turns to the manufacture of household electrical appliances to keep the factory operational
The iconic Drum incubator (Trommelbroeder) makes its debut in 1939, with a capacity of 3,500 hatching eggs
From post-war domestic market recovery to major international expansion
In the early 1950s the drum-type incubator finds a ready market in The Netherlands, and is also welcomed by hungry foreign markets
Reform internationalizes in search of new markets and business opportunities. The company starts to establish a sales network, first across Europe and then beyond
Sales subsidiaries are established in Germany and Italy, which deliver strong growth in these countries
Building blocks of the future: post-war factory expansions, to keep pace with the company’s international expansion
In the mid-1950s Reform introduces major developments in the construction of the drum incubator: egg turning becomes fully automated and the wooden cabinet is replaced with aluminium
From multi-stage incubation to automated single-stage
By the end of the 1950s the drum incubator is further developed - by locating the hatcher section behind the setter section
Theo’s sons join the family business, to drive important technological changes and scale up Reform’s operations
Reform introduces the ‘Single-Stage’ incubator, with a capacity of 100,800 hatching eggs. Named the Drive-In, it completely changes the hatchery business
Pas Reform becomes The Netherland’s first industrial equipment manufacturer to introduce microprocessors for its process control and alarm functions
Pas Reform acquires Dutch incubator manufacturer Econoom, based in Nijkerk. As a result of the take-over Pas Reform’s service base is substantially increased – both in The Netherlands and abroad
Before the end of the twentieth century, Pas Reform successfully launches a series of single-stage models, including Drive-In, Atlas and Corridor
The Ten Cate family takes over the Pas Reform family business, providing new opportunities for business expansion
From incubator manufacturer to supplier of integrated hatchery solutions
Pas Reform Academy is established, driving new product development and hatchery management training
Pas Reform launches Smart™ single-stage incubation technologies
Global expansion in the early 2000s brings about new and developing markets. In 2005 Pas Reform Russia opens in Belgorod, Russia
Pas Reform do Brasil is formed
Pas Reform launches SmartPro™ single-stage incubation technologies
Pas Reform opens new offices in India, Indonesia and Malaysia
Pas Reform’s incubation system receives a GIO Award for good industrial design
Pas Reform acquires Lan Handling Technologies, a specialist in custom-made handling solutions
Pas Reform introduces the animal friendly SmartCount™ counting and dosing system, which combines high capacity with gentle handling of day-old chicks and improved traceability
Pas Reform opens a new Global Distribution and Training Center in Doetinchem, The Netherlands, and wins the national Building of the Year Award
Pas Reform’s SmartPro™ incubation system receives the prestigious international ‘Red dot’ Award for high design quality
Pas Reform expands into the US, with the integration of NatureForm Hatchery Technologies
Pas Reform launches the SmartCenterPro™ hatchery management system, to deliver precise, consistent process control, analysis and reporting for every level of hatchery operations
In 2015 Harm Langen is named as the new CEO of Pas Reform, succeeding Bart Aangenendt, who takes over as CEO of Holding Company Hydratec Industries NV
Pas Reform launches SmartPro™ NF, to accommodate a wide variety of tray types, including both US and European sizes
Pas Reform introduces the SmartCare™ service and support programme, designed to meet the specific needs of each individual customer
Pas Reform launches the SmartStart™ post-hatch feeding solution, promoting the development of robust day-old chicks and reducing the need for antibiotics
