Lier, Belgium – 26 April 2024
GRW, a leading South African manufacturer in the industrial vehicle sector, proudly announces the successful acquisition of Van Hool Industrial Vehicles, a prominent player in the European Trailer industry. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in GRW’s expansion strategy and strengthens its position as a key player in the global market.
Van Hool, an iconic Belgian family-owned coachbuilder and manufacturer of a wide range of buses, coaches, and industrial vehicles, was founded in 1947 by Bernard Van Hool in Koningshooikt, Belgium. With robust brand visibility in both Europe and North America, the company is renowned for its high-quality vehicles, innovative designs, and commitment to sustainability. Van Hool employed approximately 4,100 people worldwide, with production facilities in Koningshooikt (Belgium) and Skopje (North Macedonia).
GRW, established in 1996 as a family-owned business originating from South Africa, has rapidly expanded its influence beyond its home country, establishing a strong presence across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Australia. This growth trajectory underscores GRW’s commitment to providing world class products and services to a diverse global clientele. In 2018, Schmitz Cargobull AG, a family owned German and leading European trailer manufacturer, made a strategic investment by acquiring a 39% stake in GRW.
Gerhard van der Merwe, CEO of GRW, explains, “Acquiring a brand like Van Hool, renowned for its prominent brand presence and exceptional vehicle quality, was a pivotal step for GRW. It aligns perfectly with our growth strategy and commitment to delivering excellence to our customers worldwide. Van Hool’s reputation for innovation and reliability complements our own values, allowing us to further enhance our product portfolio and reinforce our position as an industry leader. We are excited to integrate Van Hool’s expertise into our joint operations to enhance efficiency and streamline lean manufacturing processes.”
The Van Hool factory will continue the production of Stainless-Steel Road tankers, Containers, Gas Tankers, Cryogenic Tankers and Container Chassis.
The integration of Van Hool’s knowledge and capabilities with GRW’s extensive resources positions the combined entity for continued success. With a strong emphasis on streamlined manufacturing, technical knowledge transfer, and a global operations network, GRW and Van Hool are positioned to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to its customers worldwide.
Editors: For further information, please contact:
Van Hool: Dirk Snauwaert – Spokesperson for the curators. Tel: +32 (0)3 420 22 12; Mobile: +32 (0)499
555 032, Email: dirk.snauwaert@vanhool.com, Website: www.vanhool.com
GRW: Luzanne Theron – Public Relations Officer. Tel: +27 (0) 82 511 4215, Email: luzanne@grw.co.za,
Websites: www.grw.co.za, www.grw-europe.com
Schmitz Cargobull: Anna Stuhlmeier – Head of Marketing Communications, Press & PR. Tel: +49 (0) 160
9682 1832, Email: anna.stuhlmeier@cargobull.com, Website: www.cargobull.com