Once upon a time there was a little boy named Fred who passionately loved miniature cars… Since it is December, this might sound like a Christmas story, but this is a very real story as we like them, bringing together all the ingredients of an inspiring adventure: childhood dream, passion, a helping hand from destiny. Here, no godmother with magical powers, but decisive encounters, the story of a father Fred Suber and his son Sébastien. Suber Factory is a true Belgian success story recognized throughout the world, which does not displease us.
A helping hand from destiny
After classic commercial engineering studies at ICHEC in Brussels, Fred Suber embarked on professional life. However, his interest in scale models did not die out. Fred creates and produces at home in Rhode Saint-Genèsein complete discretion, miniatures from scratch, without any basic support. Totally self-taughthis obsession with bringing to life his replicas of emblematic racing cars (Porsche, Bugatti, Ferrari and other famous beautiful vintage machines dating from between the two wars and until the 1980s), led him to take courses at the Academy in order to master the “ technique Rembrandt “, in other words the mixture of pigments and oil, the contrast between shadow and light. Today, this is undoubtedly what makes Suber Factory its particularity, even its trademark. In 1994, a helping hand from destiny: during an exhibition where Fred decided to show his collection, Johan-Franck Dirickxa Porsche collector, became his very first customer, and he still is today. This moment will change his destiny and his passion will henceforth be his profession.
Bordering on ecstasy
The second important meeting will be with Jacques Swatersa former racing driver, team owner Francorchamps and the Belgian national team. The latter opens his address book, bringing him into the inner circle of collectors. And what can we say about his meeting with the late Baron Roland D’Ieterena client and friend who gave him valuable and wise advice such as “You are made in Belgium: stay here”. Today, the creations of the Suber Factory are driven by a real interest that goes beyond the aesthetics of the automobile line. The car must have a story, a soul, a driver with a strong personality. The response must be alive, vibrant, roaring, moving, unique! Looking at the object, one should feel the rubber of the wheels, hear the engine, feel its heat. You can see the traces left by the exhaust gases on the bottom of the chassis, and feel the weathered leather of the seats which calls for caressing. Brush ecstasy in the face of such a masterpiece.
In order to guarantee product quality, and because everything is handmade onlyonly around twenty projects are carried out per year and this, in a real workshop where the engines, mechanical parts or bodywork are designed. Each stage of creation is immortalized in images on a logbook given to the customer upon delivery. Count between 15,000 and 25,000 euros per replica and a minimum of 6 months of waiting. But when we love we don’t calculate!
Fred has had the pleasure and pride of passing on all his experience to his son Sébastien for several years. The work is now done with 4 hands, but the waiting times are no less long with demand stronger than ever. For the record, the LVMH group even offered them a stake in the capital, the offer was kindly declined. No hard feelings, the group is always a customer. The discreet Suber Factory is among its clients names famous people from business, show biz or the automotive sector, like Bono (U2) Ralph Lauren, Carlos Monteverde, Sébastien Bottinelli (Audemars Piguet), Jaccky Ickx, Jon Shirley (Microsoft), Jean Todt (Ferrari F1 Team Director), Sébastien Vettel, Lauwrence Stroll, Tom Hartley…
Isn’t the Suber Factory undoubtedly a great story?
