Great-grandfather Leysen began experimenting with biscuit mix, cake mix, and hot pudding powder in Antwerp, Borgerhout, in the late 1920s and early 1930s. When cooked with milk and sugar, this powder could be used to make a delicious yellow pastry cream.
His children, Joseph and Raymond, joined their great-grandfather, and more and more bakers in and around Antwerp became customers. They were able to enjoy the new range of bakery ingredients that the Leysen family produced.
Around 1958-59, Joseph and Raymond’s sons, Paul Leysen and George Leysen, joined the business. Both went on the road as representatives to expand the customer base in East and West Flanders, Brussels, and Limburg.
Paul focused on further product development: the first instant pudding was born.
A new powder mixing machine and a simple process machine were designed and made in-house. Bread improvers were also developed and marketed.
The private limited company Firma R & J Leysen was founded in 1968 and is still being continued by Erik Leysen, who joined the company in 1984, and his sister Annick Leysen in 1993. Erik is responsible for sales and product development, while Annick takes care of the administrative side.
R & J Leysen is a flexible Belgian family business with 2 employees in production and 2 salespeople on the road.
A new building was purchased in Wommelgem in 2015, and the entire machinery was renewed. Efficient production is carried out, with rapid product changes possible while adhering to the highest food safety standards.
R & J Leysen is ACS certified.
Currently, approximately 60 different pastry mixes and improvers are made.
A general product range is available for bakeries and the catering industry, while “private label” and customization are a great addition.
In recent years, R & J Leysen has become increasingly active in the segment of mixes for Brussels waffles, pancakes, American pancakes, sugar waffles, bubble waffles, stroopwafels, lolly waffles, vanilla waffles, poffertjes, etc.
R & J Leysen loves challenges and enjoys developing new products in consultation with its customers.
Are you looking for a bakery ingredient supplier that not only promises quality but also structurally guarantees it in recipes, processes, and follow-up?
Share your application and desired output, and we will be happy to see which solution fits best: from the existing range or via customization/private label.
