The first factories appeared in Sas van Gent at the end of the 19th century.
The sugar mills, starch factory, flour, concrete and textile mills, weaving mills, glassworks, fosfate industry and iron foundry brought much prosperity to this city on the border with Belgium.
Some even argue that the industrialization of the Netherlands started in Sas van Gent.
Over the years, companies were closed and buildings demolished and Sas van Gent lost much of its grandeur. It made people realize that the industrial heritage of the area should be preserved. Therefore, under the impetus of the former council of Sas van Gent, an Industrial Museum was founded.

It is housed in the former workshop of the community service center at the Kerkhoflaan in Sas van Gent.