Charting a course for success in Mechelen

The quartet is made up of Emmanuel van Heygen, the actual originator of the "Exo Terra" brand, Guy van Heygen, Thomas Merckx and Rik van Tiggel. All four have been passionate about reptiles and amphibians from an early age. Their ideas have done much to turn "Exo Terra" into a world-leading reptile brand with around 600 products. The brand is benefiting from the fact that reptiles and amphibians are only now gaining in popularity in many Asian and Latin American countries, opening up considerable growth potential over the next few years.The choice of Mechelen as the location of the Exo Terra Base Camp is due to the decision of Emmanuel van Heygen to move from Canada to Belgium three years ago. Since then he has continued his work at the new location with a skilled team.Complete research and development facilityThe Exo Terra Base Camp houses approximately 200 terrariums. It isn't immediately obvious that this is a world-leading research centre in the reptile and amphibian field. Everything feels very natural, almost cosy, true to the Exo Terra slogan "Make your reptiles feel at home". It is fitting, therefore, that most of the terrariums are housed not in separate test laboratories, but in the offices of the staff. The reptiles and amphibians are supplied by wholesalers or breeders. To ensure that the creatures feel comfortable in the Exo Terra Base Camp, all the terrariums have been fitted out with care and oriented to the needs of their respective occupants.The full research and development process for the "Exo Terra" product range, from the initial idea to final approval of a product, takes place in Mechelen. Long-term tests establish how the creatures react to certain products such as lamps or heat mats. Depending on the product in question, the tests can last on average for between a year and eighteen months. Product packaging is also designed at the Exo Terra Base Camp.All employees have their own particular specialisms. Emmanuel van Heygen is an expert on chameleons and geckos. Rik van Tiggel is passionate about chameleons too, while Thomas Merckx specia­lises in frogs. Guy van Heygen runs a photographic studio in the Base Camp, in which he produces videos of Exo Terra expeditions and pro­duct advertising films from the photographic material available.Point of contact for all things reptilianAs well as coming up with new ideas and turning them into top-class products, the staff of the Exo Terra Base Camp maintain close contacts with suppliers…