Harol Celebrates 80 Years of Innovation, Craftsmanship, and Natural Cooling 

From a local roller shutter manufacturer to an international sun protection expert 

What began in 1946 as a small workshop for wooden roller shutters in the Hageland region of Belgium has grown into an international manufacturer of high-quality sun protection, roller shutters, and patio solutions. For eight decades now, this family-owned business has been developing Harol products that contribute to comfortable, energy-efficient buildings. An 80th anniversary that not only looks back on a rich history, but above all demonstrates how innovation, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship form the foundation for the future. 

The Evolution of a Family Business  

When Leon and Elvire Draelants founded Hagelandse Rolluiken shortly after World War II, functionality was their top priority. Wooden roller shutters provided protection, kept homes warm in the winter, and provided cooling on hot summer days. In doing so, they unwittingly laid the foundation for a vision that is more relevant today than ever: keeping buildings comfortable in a natural way. 

Over the years, Harol has evolved into a full-service provider of outdoor sun protection and patio solutions. Under the leadership of the second generation, Laurent Draelants, the company focused on energy efficiency and product innovation from an early stage. The introduction of PVC roller shutters, the expansion into awnings and conservatory shading, and ongoing investments in in-house product development have made Harol a leading player in the European sun protection market.

Innovation as a Driver of Growth 

Innovation has been a constant thread throughout Harol’s history. Virtually all products are developed in-house by the company’s own R&D department, where technology, design, and functionality come together. This approach has resulted in a broad product portfolio and international design awards, including iF Design Awards, Red Dot Awards, German Design Awards, and Archiproducts Awards. 

Under the leadership of the third generation—with Annick Draelants as CEO and Joris Draelants as technical director—Harol is investing heavily in digitization, automation, and smart control systems. Thanks to sensors and intelligent systems, sun protection solutions automatically respond to solar radiation and temperature, keeping buildings comfortable and significantly reducing the need for cooling.

Where Quality and People Come Together 

Harol’s growth went hand in hand with investments in production and quality. A major milestone was the move to the industrial park in Webbekom (Diest) in 1980, which created the space needed for further professionalization and expansion. Even today, the family-owned business continues to invest in sustainable production, modern technology, and high-quality quality control.

Equally important are the people behind the company. Today, approximately 250 employees work every day on the development and production of sun protection solutions that are used in more than thirty countries. Craftsmanship, long-term relationships, and knowledge development continue to form the foundation of our work.

Sustainability is in our DNA 

While energy-efficient construction is now a top priority everywhere, Harol has been championing this cause for decades. Outdoor sun protection helps prevent solar heat from entering buildings, making it an effective and sustainable alternative to active cooling. This vision aligns seamlessly with Harol’s mission: We believe in natural cooling. 
 
Sustainability is also being put into practice within the organization itself, through measures such as energy-efficient production processes, investments in sustainable buildings, and the company’s own wind turbine. 

Comfort That Lasts for Generations 

Eighty years after its founding, Harol has grown into an international family-owned company that continues to combine innovation with quality, design, and sustainable climate solutions. With its anniversary slogan, ’80 years of caring for generations,’ Harol emphasizes that for generations it has not only protected buildings from the sun and heat, but above all has invested in the comfort of the people who live and work in them. 

By continuing to invest in innovation, manufacturing, and collaboration with dealers and professionals, Harol looks forward with confidence to the next generation of natural cooling solutions.