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Celebrating 180 years of excellence: Gaston Schul's journey from 1845 to 2025

  • Fri, July 11, 2025
  • 2 minute read
This year, Gaston Schul celebrates our 180th anniversary. The story of Gaston Schul is a testament to our enduring commitment to excellence in customs and trade. Since our founding in 1845, we have navigated changing landscapes, embraced innovations, and continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
Celebrating 180 years of excellence: Gaston Schul's journey from 1845 to 2025

The origins of Gaston Schul

The image above was taken in the early days of Gaston Schul in Wernhout, the Netherlands – a strategic border town just across the Belgian border. This location positioned us at the heart of European commerce, laying the foundation for what would become Europe's leading independent customs and trade partner.

We are proud of our long-standing and independent heritage, as we believe the power of legacy and neutrality provides our customers with unmatched expertise and unparalleled solutions.

Built on strong foundations

What has sustained Gaston Schul through nearly two centuries of change? A commitment to adapting while staying true to fundamental principles of service excellence and customer partnership. From our humble beginnings in a Dutch border town to our current position as a comprehensive network spanning nine European countries with a global partner network, we have consistently prioritised quality relationships and expert guidance.

Today, our core values of kindness, excellence, customer focus, innovation, and integrity guide every decision and interaction. Leading with mutual respect, we strive for superior quality while keeping our customers at the centre of everything we do, all built on a foundation of trust and long-term partnerships.

The Gaston Schul advantage today

Our legacy of knowledge provides leading insights from an unbiased customs and trade perspective. We surround our customers with innovative experts, offering full-service partnerships that mitigate risks, enhance operations, and unlock potential across complex supply chains.

We remain focused on becoming Europe's leading customs and trade partner through our comprehensive expertise and cost-efficient solutions.

Looking forward

Rob Ewalds, owner of Gaston Schul Group, reflects on this milestone: "180 years represents more than just longevity – it represents trust, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to our customers' success. We believe in long-term partnerships and building quality relationships. This is why we value trust, integrity, and respect, and why we will continue working to cement our place as the leading independent customs and trade partner in Europe."

Today, with over 350 customs specialists spread across 18 locations in nine European countries, we continue to expand our reach while maintaining the personal touch that has defined us since 1845.

The power of independence

In an industry increasingly dominated by large corporations, our independence remains our strength. It allows us to focus solely on what's best for our customers, free from conflicting interests. This independence, combined with our deep expertise and commitment to innovation, positions us uniquely in the European customs landscape.

As we celebrate 180 years of excellence, we're not just looking back – we're looking forward. Our legacy of adaptation and innovation ensures we're ready to meet emerging challenges, providing our customers with the expertise and support they need to thrive in an increasingly complex global marketplace.

Here's to the next chapter of our story.

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