Deweerdt History
Founder Willy Deweerdt draws his expertise from various industries, with a focus on non-ferrous metals. To this end, he has progressed through various stages, up to Commercial Director at the largest producer of aluminium...
The Story of Deweerdt & Masterveil Europe: 1984 – 2026
1984: The Origin of a Vision
In 1984, Willy Deweerdt founded the firm Deweerdt. It was the beginning of a family business that specialized in the distribution of non-ferrous metals to foundries in the Benelux and Germany.
Willy drew on an impressive background: his competencies were forged in various industries, with a focus on non-ferrous metals. He progressed through different stages within this sector, up to the position of Commercial Director at the largest aluminium producer. This experience laid the foundation for a company that, from day one, operated on personal service, flexibility, language skills, and in-depth know-how.
The clientele consisted of ISO-standardized manufacturers and progressive foundries that always closely monitored the market regarding price/quality.
1984 – 1992: The First Step Forward
It soon became apparent that Deweerdt's expertise extended beyond metals alone. The team systematically expanded with specialists in various domains, not only in the non-ferrous sector but also in all kinds of niche markets.
A crucial added value was the continuous further training at recognized institutes in foundry techniques. This enabled the team to help customers beyond just delivery: they built analyses, solved casting and melting problems, and shared their knowledge.
The fruitful interaction with Ghent University and other specialized institutions led to advanced knowledge, including in gate shielding, humidity control, and resolving extreme situations. This was the seed of the company's second pillar.
1992: Two Full-Fledged Pillars
From 1992, both competencies had definitively developed into fully-fledged pillars:
- Non-ferrous & cast iron castings
- Niche techniques regarding air curtains, Airstop®, freezer door shielding, comfort solutions, humidification, dehumidification and filtration techniques.
2000 – 2020: Growth, Innovation and the Masterveil Era
The company grew into a European player. In addition to its own Masterveil line, Deweerdt also began distributing Contronics – a brand specializing in climate control, humidity regulation, and filtration technologies. This strengthened the existing portfolio of niche technologies.
The air curtains, which function as an "invisible door", found their way to leading clients.
An important milestone was the collaboration with the Sligro Food Group, which has lasted for more than 20 years. Together with Sligro and Ghent University, the conditions in and around freezer cells were meticulously inventoried. This led to the further development of their unique technologies: Airstop® and Powerstream®.
- Airstop® creates efficient temperature separation with laminar airflow, particularly for refrigerated spaces.
- Powerstream® is specifically developed for freezer rooms. This system uses modules that blow from left to right, with an extra insulating layer, to minimize ice formation and energy loss.
The company operates under the banner of Masterveil Europe, with Peter Deweerdt as Managing Director and CEO, and a strong team including Dirk Deweerdt (technical).
Masterveil has optimized its production with advanced sheet metal working machines, making them fully flexible in realizing customer-specific solutions.
2021 – 2024: Recognized Market Leader and Sustainability
Masterveil's technology is widely recognized as market leader. Independent verification shows that Airstop® units are up to 70% more efficient than situations without an air curtain, and Powerstream® units achieve even 80% energy savings.
In 2024, a major project was realized for the Norwegian supermarket chain Meny in Oslo. The installation of 22 Masterveil air curtains in their new warehouse led to significant energy savings and a smaller ecological footprint.
However, the focus is not solely on energy. Masterveil actively prevents moisture infiltration, thereby combating problems such as snow, fog, and ice formation in freezer cells. This reduces cleaning costs and increases safety.
2025: International Enlargement, Transparency and the Swedish Breakthrough
2025 became a year of big steps:
- 2025 became a year of big steps: UK Partnership: Masterveil Europe signed a strategic partnership with Hultsteins, a renowned Swedish and British manufacturer of diesel-free transport refrigeration. Hultsteins became the official UK partner for the sales and service of Masterveil air curtains, thereby strengthening its position in the British market.
- Cold Chain Federation Membership: Masterveil Europe was welcomed as a new member of the Cold Chain Federation, the leading British trade association for refrigerated logistics. This underscores the company's status as a key player in the cold chain.
- Eerste Duurzaamheidsrapport: In een unieke stap voor een KMO publiceerden Deweerdt W. BV en Masterveil Europe hun eerste duurzaamheidsrapport (Sustainability Report). Dit rapport, opgesteld volgens de VSME-standaarden (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standards for SMEs), toont transparant de engagementen van het familiebedrijf:
- 98-99% van de metalen die ze gebruiken is afkomstig van gerecycled materiaal.
- Hun luchtgordijnen en Powerstream®-systemen snijden direct in het energieverlies van klanten.
- Het rapport werd met hulp van "The Ecological Entrepreneur" omgevormd tot een duidelijk, eerlijk ESG-verhaal.
- Launch in Sweden: Masterveil Europe actively expanded its activities into Scandinavia. The Swedish market proved to be a natural step: a cold climate, high energy costs, and a strong focus on sustainability make Sweden an ideal region for the Airstop® and Powerstream® technologies. A fully Swedish-language website (masterveil-eu.com/sv/) was launched, featuring tailored information for the Scandinavian market.
2026: The Art of the Invisible Door – also in Sweden
In 2026 staat Masterveil Europe sterker dan ooit. Het bedrijf is uitgegroeid tot een internationale leider in hoogwaardige luchtgordijn technologie, met een rijke geschiedenis van meer dan 35 jaar.
The Swedish presence was further expanded. Masterveil now offers in Sweden:
- The Swedish presence was further expanded. Masterveil now offers customer-specific air curtains – designed and produced per customer, not from a catalogue – in Sweden:
- An innovative lease solution in collaboration with Siemens (launched late 2025), enabling Swedish companies to use air curtains without major upfront investments.
- An innovative lease solution in collaboration with Siemens (launched late 2025), enabling Swedish companies to use air curtains without major upfront investments.
- Safety and health as the highest priority for field measurements and installations.
A successful reference case in Sweden is Nike, where cold floors and drafts completely disappeared after the installation of Masterveil air curtains. This resulted in a perfect working environment for the employees.
In addition, Deweerdt remains active as a distributor of Contronics – a brand that seamlessly complements the climate control and filtration technologies that make Masterveil complete.
The mission remains the same: the "Art of Invisible Doors" – the art of the invisible door. Masterveil continues to innovate, with the further development of advanced dehumidification systems and heat recovery. Whether it involves separating climate zones at Sligro in Deventer, making Meny's warehouse in Oslo energy-efficient, supporting customers in the US, or making Nike comfortable in Sweden: the core values remain intact.
- Personal service & flexibility
- In-depth know-how (rooted in non-ferrous and foundry techniques)
- A power team that always goes one step further.
From a one-man business in non-ferrous metals to a European family enterprise setting the standard for energy efficiency: that is the story of Deweerdt and Masterveil Europe. We always go one step further.
Masterveil Europe – al meer dan 35 jaar de kunst van de onzichtbare deur. Actief in België, Nederland, Duitsland, het Verenigd Koninkrijk, Noorwegen en sinds 2025 ook in Zweden.
Deweerdt is tevens verdeler van Contronics, specialisten in klimaatbeheersing en filtertechnieken.
