VDL has confirmed which parts of the coach and bus affairs of the bankrupt Van Hool business it has acquired after completion of a drawn-out purchase process.
The Dutch conglomerate is buying “parts” of the Van Hool operation in Belgium and it will also take ownership of Van Hool’s factory in North Macedonia. VDL says it will not reveal the sums involved in the deal, but around 1,600 jobs will immediately be saved.
VDL will “not yet” integrate the activities acquired from the bankrupt Belgian manufacturer into its own coach and bus undertaking, it continues.
In Belgium, around 250 former Van Hool employees will be recruited to work on parts production, aftersales, procurement, development and finance at the Koningshooikt plant. Agreement has been reached with unions representing those individuals on terms and conditions of employment.
Around 1,350 staff will continue at the factory in North Macedonia. VDL will also purchase all intellectual property, design rights, software, product names, equipment and machines from Van Hool.
While details of what the news will mean for the Van Hool brand in the UK are awaited, VDL says it has reached a distribution agreement with longstanding Van Hool partner in the United States and Canada ABC Companies.
That will see Van Hool coaches and buses continue to be delivered in those countries and enable both ABC and VDL “to strengthen their markets and product portfolio.”
Speaking about confirmation of the purchase, VDL Groep President and CEO Willem van der Leegte says: “We are delighted to announce that we have been able to acquire parts of Van Hool.
“These will add value to our coach and bus activities and enable us to strengthen our position as a bus manufacturer. The strategic partnership with our American partner ABC Companies makes it possible for us to further develop our international activities.”
