Van Hool taking extra week to secure future

Troubled Belgian manufacturer Van Hool is taking another week to secure its future.

Van Hool says it remains steadfast in its pursuit of a sustainable future, despite recent challenges. Within the proceedings pending before the Mechelen Enterprise Court, Van Hool will take one extra week to safeguard the possibility of a quick restart. The company originally had a deadline of 31 March 2024 to provide an outcome in some form that ensures the preservation of as many activities and jobs at Van Hool as possible.

In a press release, Van Hool said: “As announced on Monday 25 March, the inheritance law dispute within the shareholders and Van Hool family proved unresolvable. An already ongoing parallel process to explore alternative scenarios was intensified. This included talks with potential acquirers to explore a possible relaunch, with attention to all stakeholders, especially considering the employees. Those talks were constructive and conducted in a good atmosphere.”

Van Hool has over 4,100 employees worldwide, most of them at its production sites in Koningshooikt (Belgium) and in Skopje (northern Macedonia).

A number of potential buyers for Van Hool have been mentioned in press reports, including Dutch coach and bus manufacturer VDL.