Group Eeckhout has taken over the Hedin Mercedes branch on Afrikalaan. Customers can therefore again go there for heavy commercial vehicles. And the next step in the growth of the family group could well take place in Brussels.
This is the fifth service point of Group Eeckhout in addition to Wielsbeke, Puurs, Froyennes and Mouscron. “Over the years, we have built up a business clientele that extends throughout Flanders. When we were given the opportunity to take over the Hedin Mercedes branch on Afrikalaan, we immediately grabbed it. It allows us to combine existing customers and brand awareness with our typical Eeckhout DNA, in which service is central,” says Pauline Eeckhout, who, together with Médard Eeckhout, is responsible for the daily management of the group. “We attach great importance to direct contact. Anyone who calls us will not receive a menu of options, but will immediately speak to someone from our team. As a true one-stop shop, we want to be the first and last point of contact for every customer.”
To immediately anchor this approach, Puurs’ head studio is moving to Ghent. “Every customer — from Wielsbeke to Tournai and now also Ghent — recognizes the same way of working and the same drive. Every technician and every employee has that typical drive, that ‘pepper in our ass’. We are putting together an enthusiastic team for Ghent with exactly the same spirit.” says Pauline. “Initially we will work as a multi-brand garage in Ghent under the name Eckhout-Cardoen,” explains Isabelle Cardoen.
The opening in Ghent is not seen as an end point but as the next step in a broader growth story. “If an opportunity ever presents itself in Brussels, we will certainly explore it,” says Pauline. “Today we focus on strengthening our organization and preparing for further growth. We are curious about what impact we can create in East Flanders with a site that is immediately the largest within our network.”
