Decauville factory in Val-Saint-Lambert

However, Belgium, an important potential customer of Decauville rail track panels, was unable to capitalise on this advantage, as the Belgian government demanded a high duty for the re-importation of its iron.

[1] p. 18 In the summer of 1895, the high tariffs in France had a negative impact on the export business of French companies that the protectionists had not expected.

The Decauville company therefore planned to set up a factory abroad in order to be able to deliver its goods to non-French countries at lower duty rates.

It therefore planned to set up a plant in Val-Saint-Lambert near Liège, which would enable it to grant a 20% discount on orders for foreign countries and the colonies.

In addition, Decauville was bound to Orenstein & Koppel by comprehensive purchasing obligations, so that O&K secured continuous orders for its factories.

O&K therefore wanted to continue the production of riveted tracks in Val-Saint-Lambert and at the same time convert this factory for the construction of wagons in large quantities, as Belgium was very capable in wagon construction, mainly due to the favourable prices of sheet metal and the much lower labour costs compared to France.

[8] After the outbreak of the World War I in 1914, O&K used the facilities left behind by Decauville under the aegis of the occupying army, in particular for the production of military light railways.