Hilson

At the end of the 1970's, there were only two briar pipe factories in the Benelux countries: Gubbels in the Netherlands and Hillen in Bree, Belgium. When the latter encountered major financial difficulties in 1980, Gubbels bought the company together with its brand Hilson - a well established brand, which was selling better on the most important German market than Gubbels' mainstay Big Ben. The factory in Bree was closed soon, so Gubbels is presently the only major briar pipe producer in the Benelux countries.