Why it is nonetheless so quiet at Van Hool: these are the obstacles to the takeover of GRW and VDL

The beginning-up of the South African firm GRW on the website of the damaged bus builder Van Hool in Koningshooikt (Lier) has been delayed. Negotiating about, amongst different issues, trip time and fringe advantages is troublesome. Within the meantime, VDL, the opposite firm that wishes to take over a part of Van Hool, just isn’t but capable of begin in Koningshooikt as a result of all competitors watchdogs haven’t but given their approval.

Van Hool, which produced buses, coaches (buses with extra comfy furnishings as a result of they journey longer distances) and enterprise automobiles in Koningshooikt, was declared bankrupt on 8 April. A month and a half later, the positioning stays silent. Though there may be additionally some motion: round 100 non permanent employees are working for the South African firm GRW, which has taken over the business car enterprise from Van Hool. They full the commercial automobiles that weren’t but prepared within the interval earlier than the break.

A month in the past, Gerhard van der Merwe, CEO of GRW, mentioned in a press launch that his firm needed to be absolutely operational in Koningshooikt by the start of June. It will then make use of “as much as 350 individuals” who would construct industrial automobiles from scratch. Because of this new orders will probably be accepted.

GRW wants time

However the proposed time won’t be met. In line with the Christian and socialist unions, negotiations are going easily. Employees wages are usually not an impediment, however GRW is keen to offer the identical variety of trip days as Van Hool. Settlement on different fringe advantages, corresponding to group insurance coverage, can also be removed from being reached. The unions emphasize that they seek the advice of with GRW each week and that it’s logical that the corporate wants time. That is the primary time that GRW has opened a department in Belgium.

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The capital metropolis of CIM

Within the coming days, the courtroom would additionally rule on a case introduced by the CIM Capital fund in opposition to the Van Hool holders. CIM Capital was based by Marc Van Hool, grandson of Bernard Van Hool, who based the bus firm. CIM Capital believes it was not given a good probability to take over Van Hool’s business car division, saying it might have saved 550 jobs, greater than what GRW expects. It stays to be seen whether or not the courtroom will comply with CIM Capital on this or not.

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VDL is awaiting approval

After which there may be the VDL story. That Dutch firm desires to take over Van Hool’s bus and coach division. However a month and a half after the trustees accepted VDL’s tie-up provide, the Dutch bus builder remains to be not energetic in Koningshooikt. It is because not all competitors authorities have but given permission for the takeover. VDL already has this license in Belgium and the Netherlands. However not but in Austria and North Macedonia, the place VDL additionally desires to take over the Van Hool manufacturing unit.

As soon as these permits have been obtained, it isn’t but sure whether or not VDL will construct buses and coaches in Koningshooikt. There’s now extra speak about making components for different VDL factories. These could possibly be components of buses, but in addition components of cell phone masts.

What stays intact within the present negotiations between VDL and the unions is that VDL would nonetheless wish to make use of between 300 and 600 individuals in Koningshooikt.

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