Some collaborations are synonymous with trust, continuity and quality. A perfect example of this is the relationship between the family business Champignons Desmet and Ghistelinck, the oldest Mercedes-Benz franchise in Belgium, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is celebrating 130 years of innovation worldwide.
The story begins in 1953, when Albrecht Desmet, grandfather of the current generation, bought a Mercedes-Benz through Ghistelinck. At the time, he was active as a flax shipper and needed a reliable vehicle for his visits to customers in Germany. This was the beginning of a collaboration that would span more than seven decades.
When the flax industry declined sharply in the 1970s due to the rise of synthetic yarns, Albrecht Desmet started a mushroom farm for his son. The youngest son has also been active in the company since 1978. In 1984, the family business expanded further with a mushroom business, supplying directly to shops and catering establishments. Today, Champignons Desmet sells a range of more than thirty mushroom varieties. In 2010, the third generation took over. Nathalie Desmet and Fabian Koudijzer have since continued to build on this strong foundation, with a clear focus on the future. In the meantime, the fourth generation is also coming around the corner to continue writing the family story.
The collaboration with Mercedes-Benz remained a constant over the years. In addition to passenger cars, the family business also opted for reliable vans and trucks from Mercedes. Today, Champignons Desmet has one tractor, two trucks, six vans and six passenger cars. The reliability and operational reliability of Mercedes-Benz Trucks are crucial for the company, which delivers “just in time” to customers throughout Belgium every day.
A special anecdote underlines the long-standing bond between the Desmet and Ghistelinck families: during a recent delivery, an original invoice for a car from 1953 was resurfaced. This invoice is given a place of honor in the Ghistelinck Heritagethe new showroom in Waregem, where visitors can literally walk through 75 years of dealer history.
Ghistelinck’s anniversary year is a moment of looking back and looking ahead. Since 1950, Ghistelinck has been an established name in Belgium, known for quality, service and innovation. With this anniversary year, the family business not only wants to celebrate its rich history, but also share its vision of the future: sustainable mobility solutions and personal service remain central.
This story illustrates not only the loyalty of customers across generations, but also the continuous focus on quality, reliability and innovation that characterizes both Ghistelinck and Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
