Well-known road builder bankrupt, BV does not want to sling mud

As might be expected, the company court declared bankruptcy of Superbeton, the road builder from Aarschot. The mountain of debt reportedly amounted to between 7 and 8 million euros. The Limburg owner Michiel Coumans felt forced to close the books because he no longer saw the implementation of the recovery plan as feasible. Frederik Laeremans, the previous owner, regrets that he is accused of irregularities, but does not wish to engage in a polemic about the question of guilt.

Superbeton started two generations ago as a concrete plant and earthworks company. The family business did well and at its peak had 4 branches and 150 employees. After selling the concrete activities, the Laeremans family focused on road construction. That also became a success story. The entrepreneurship behind Superbeton was beautifully depicted in the popular program The Sky is the Limit, in which the then manager Frederik Laeremans managed to win the sympathy of the whole of Flanders with his open-hearted, jovial personality. However, business performance has deteriorated considerably in recent years. He was even forced to apply for protection against creditors. A few months ago he sold his company to the Limburg Iterum of Michiel Coumans and Vincent Hendriks, according to his own words because he was tired of fighting to keep the various signs high and to give the staff a better future.

The acquirer initially had a good eye on Superbeton’s rescue operation. Michiel Coumans now states that many unforeseen setbacks occurred and he was misled. That’s why I had to throw in the towel,” he says. Last week, Superbeton’s books were filed, which has now led to the declaration of bankruptcy. This also leaves many creditors, such as suppliers and subcontractors of the past, in a hole.

Frederik Laeremans said on Wednesday that he would prefer not to comment on the demise of his former company. “It hurts too much. I’m not going to sling mud or accuse others. That’s not my style. I just regret that it is being presented as if I have been dishonest myself. That is not the case. I stand tall. And for the rest I prefer to refrain from commenting,” Laeremans concludes.