Theault celebrates 100 years of innovation
A century in business is no mean feat – however it’s a milestone that equine transport developer THEAULT has reached this year. The brand is proof that when the horse is at the heart of innovation, everything else falls into place.
France is renowned for its sense of style, elegance and sophistication, setting global standards across industries from architecture and design, to fashion and cuisine. When it comes to the global equine industry, the French influence is undeniable.
Equine transport manufacturer THEAULT is one of France’s most revered brands. Famous worldwide for creating innovative equine transport solutions, THEAULT is a family owned and run business with a 100 years’ worth of know-how and tradition.
Founded in 1924 by Émile Theault, the company originally produced horse-drawn carriages before progressing into motorised horse transport. From a small assembly workshop set up in the cellar of the family farm came the very first bodied vehicle of the range and by the 1950s, the company launched a rear-facing, side ramp model – the first of its kind in the world!
It’s clever design details such as this that have made THEAULT a global success story. Over the years, the range of vehicles on offer has expanded considerably, from the two-horse van to the 12-horse semi-trailer. Today from THEAULT’s ultra-modern 30,000m2 workshop in Normandy, 200 skilled employees – including fitters, designers, engineers and assemblers – work to produce almost three vans a day, following a five-week manufacturing and inspection process. This passionate team of individuals upholds the traditional, artisanal approach and principles on which the company’s reputation has been built over the past century.
THEAULT’s standard of excellence is such that in 2019 it received the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label, a distinction for French companies with excellent industrial and artisanal know-how. It is a sign of the very highest quality and recognition of a job well done.
SAFETY & WELFARE MATTERS
In the modern era where brands come and go, celebrating a centenary is no mean feat – and when it comes to THEAULT, it’s clear that longevity is no fluke either.
Equestrians value the safety and welfare of their horses, and the way in which they are transported is an integral part of their management. Having a safe, equine-centric mode of transport is critical to horse welfare and ultimately performance.
Internationally, THEAULT has many elite-level competition riders amongst its clientele, including Penelope Leprevost, Roger-Yves Bost, Mark Todd, Nicolas Touzaint, Gregory Wathelet, Patrick Kittel and Dorothee Schneider.
Throughout its rich history, the brand has long drawn on user feedback to continuously develop and improve. Not every horse travels the same, whether it’s due to their morphology or personality; THEAULT recognises this, and the company’s designs evolve accordingly.
The company’s flagship model, the PROTEO Switch, is a result of this. Their popular internal patented modular system allows horse owners to choose between eight different configurations, ensuring suitability for horses of all breeds, sizes and temperaments.
Key design elements THEAULT implements, such as the rear-facing positioning of the horses, can all be attributed to what has been found to better suit the horse.
“Horses travel better facing backwards,” explains Luis Verbeeck, THEAULT’s Australian sales representative. “They find their balance better and will lean on the bulkhead (the wall separating the cabin from the horse part) when you must brake, resulting in less stress.”
THEAULT’s PROTEO Switch is not only made to suit horses’ preferred ways of travelling but is also constructed to put their comfort first. “The horse part is fully insulated as we use sandwich aluminium panels to build them, resulting in regulated temperatures and less noise for your horses while you travel,” sats Luis.
And of course, safety is at the forefront of THEAULT’s designs: the PROTEO Switch offers a low centre of gravity, with the weight spread in between the wheels for better stability on the road – offering superior manoeuvrability should you need to swerve or brake suddenly, and therefore making it much safer to drive. In addition, a camera fitted in the horse section allows constant monitoring during transit.
“From a loading and unloading perspective, this process through our side ramp is so much easier and safer,” notes Luis. “Once horses are schooled properly it is a system where everything can pretty much be done by one person.”
MADE FOR AUSTRALIA
Australia is one of 18 countries around the globe where THEAULT vehicles are available. Having been available here since 2009, THEAULT relaunched its Australian operations in 2019 and has continued to grow since. The company is an exclusive Renault Approved Converter for horse transport and has an established relationship with the Australian Renault dealership network, meaning the PROTEO Switch can be purchased anywhere in Australia. The vehicles are delivered certified for Australia, registered and ready to drive, with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and first year roadside assistance included.
More recently, the THEAULT truck range has also become available on our shores. Accommodating from four to 12 horses, the ENDURANCE and ELEGANCE horse trucks combine state-of-the art horse transportation with passenger comfort. The ENDURANCE is designed specifically for equine transport, while the ELEGANCE incorporates a living space for those with larger teams of horses who also require home-away-from-home comfort.
THEAULT has quickly become a popular choice here in Australia, especially amongst competitive riders who are travelling regularly – and thanks to our country’s vast geography, often extensive distances.
“The distances that have to be covered in Australia to compete… one would argue transport is even more important here than in Europe, where in Belgium or France, for example, you would have access to so many shows within a 100km radius,” explains Luis. “We train hard with our horses, and we want them to arrive at events fresh and ready to give their best.”
THE NEXT CENTURY
THEAULT’s story over the past century is one of traditional know-how combined with performance, expertise and innovation. “Wherever horses accompany us… at the equestrian showgrounds, at the racetracks, along the forest paths, in the countryside, in the mountains, on the seashore, galloping, extended trot, approaching obstacles… wherever the horse is king, THEAULT is present,” says Luis.
For the past 100 years, THEAULT has been committed to developing horseboxes and horse trucks that are more reliable, more practical, more comfortable, and safer than ever; this is a trend we will no doubt see continue over the next century.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit: www.theault.com.au or call Luis Verbeek on: 0406 900 097.