The year 2025 is clearly characterized by a wave of acquisitions of Belgian transport companies of a certain size by other ambitious players. The last proof of this is the acquisition of Group De Rudder by Gheeraert Group.
Group De Rudder is a specialist in distribution and additional logistics services. The original company was founded by Ignace de Rudder in 2001 and grew into a group with five companies, a fleet of 80 own vehicles and 120 employees. Group De Rudder has more than 55,000 m2 in storage facilities with distribution centers in Heule and Vilvoorde. “Thanks to this strategic step, Gheeraert Group not only strengthens its position in the market, but also considerably expands its geographical coverage and operational capacity. Group de Rudder, with its many years of experience and strong local anchoring, is in line with an ambitious and future-oriented whole,” says Stijn Gheeraert, Co-Ce Coo van Geeraert. “Integration includes joint planning, optimization of logistics hubs and bundling fleet and staff. This creates a robust and future -oriented organization with a distinct family identity.”
“Ignace De Rudder contacted us,” says Peter Gheeraert. “The transport sector is extremely complex and full of challenges and Ignace wanted to secure the future of his company in the long term. We now have a modern and very well -located cross -rocking center in Kuurne with 80 loading quays and another hub in Vilvoorde to serve the Brussels region, which we did not have before the acquisition.” Gheeraert Group is also an important member of the ASTRE network in Belgium. With your geographical expansion, do you not run the risk that tensions will arise with the other Belgian members of the network? “No,” replies Peter Gheeraert. “Astrar is a non-exclusive network and we continue to concentrate on West and East Flanders just like before.”
Ignace De Rudder is also positive about the acquisition: “We feel good about the Future Vision of Stijn and Peter Gheeraert and are convinced that they are the best party to guarantee customer -oriented and to guarantee the further operation of our company. I will continue to cooperate in their growth story as long as necessary.”
After the acquisition, Gheeraert Group has 350 employees and approximately 80,000 m2 of logistics area.
