Schmitz Cargobull wants new factory on Van Hool site

Schmitz Cargobull wants to build a new factory on the site of bankrupt bus builder Van Hool in Koningshooikt. The factory will house the company’s industrial vehicles division, which mainly builds truck trailers. 

Flemish Economy Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) said in the Flemish Parliament on Thursday that GRW/Schmitz Cargobull wants to build a new factory for its industrial vehicles division on the site of bankrupt bus manufacturer Van Hool in Koningshooikt, in the province of Antwerp. They would initially rent the property for the production facilities, but they would also buy part of the land to build a new plant. 

Following the tumultuous bankruptcy of bus manufacturer Van Hool, the trustees reached an agreement last week with VDL Groep and GRW, a subsidiary of Europe's largest trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull, on a restart. Dutch VDL will take over the bus operations in Koningshooikt and North Macedonia. Schmitz Cargobull, then, will take over the activities of the industrial vehicles division.

Minister Brouns received several questions about the dossier in the Flemish Parliament's Economy Committee on Thursday. He added to the news that a financial risk of €30 million remains for the Flemish government under previously granted guarantees. Some of that, an estimated 15 million euros, will be lost, he confirmed.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Workers after a press conference at the Van Hool bus assembly plant in Koningshooikt © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}