This company did not yet exist at the beginning of this century. In 2025, the jury unanimously declared a transporter of the year. But how has Kris de Leeneer, former metal worker, has grown into the hyper -proofessional transporter who is recognized today by his colleagues? It is a story of work, vision and professionalism.
2024 was the year of truth for Kris de Leeneer. His company of the same name, which was already known for his Sérieux, was given a huge boost through the opening of the new head office in Lokeren, on the edge of the E17.
It started by accident
Truck & Business: How did you end up in the transport sector?
Kris de Leeneer: My father was a construction worker and my mother was a cleaning lady. I did not inherit the entrepreneurial spirit of them. I worked at Sidmar in Ghent when one day I was working in my garden. Lucien de Groote was injured with his horse in front of my house. I brought him to the hospital. Lucien de Groote sustained an injury in an incident with his horse in front of my home. I brought him to the hospital. Lucien He had a small transport company and suggested that I rode before him. I had obtained my driver’s license in the army and started riding for him in my spare time. Not much later he suggested that I would take over his business. That’s how I started with a truck and a van. All banks refused me a loan, except KBCobk. I achieved my professional competence, but I didn’t have a big plan at that time, just the will to do business.
T&B: How did you get through the big financial crises?
K. de Leeneer: I already had good customers then and I never served myself from the company’s account. Already then I had loyal customers, and I never served the company account at any time. For years I drove with a kangoo as a personal car. I also had excellent cash management, so that went relatively well. After a few years I focused on distribution and services with added value in the Benelux.
So I built a first warehouse, installed a WMS and within six months that investment was self -besized. The company has grown, until the construction of our new head office in 2024.
Transport, essential for logistyk
T&B: What makes this building groundbreaking?
K. de Leeneer: Together with that of Dematra, this was the first fully automated warehouse in Belgium. The idea originated at the logistics stock exchange in Antwerp, where I saw Shuttles at work. The project was somewhat delayed by Covid and by resistance from some local residents, but the plan has now been aged. It is one of the first shuttle warehouses in Belgium. The idea arose at the logistics stock exchange in Antwerp, where I saw Shuttles at work. The project was initially delayed by COVID and the resistance of some local residents, but was ultimately successful and has been operational for two years. The top floor with our La Vue event location was initially not foreseen.
Today this building has greatly enlarged our visibility. Everyone knows us. And La Vue is also an excellent place for networking and receiving prospects!
The top floor, where our event location La Vue is today, was initially not provided for in the project. Gradually, however, the idea grew to create a space that can serve in comfort and discretion for customer receptions, training courses and network events. The name La Vue was not chosen by chance: you have a beautiful view of the surrounding nature. In the meantime, the location has grown into a real asset in our commercial and relational operation.
T&B: Is the warehouse now fully filled?
K. de Leeneer: Not entirely yet, but the trend is positive. So positive so that we are planning to build a second warehouse, a few hundred meters away, in collaboration with WDP. That should be ready at the beginning of 2027. Not completely yet, but the trend is clearly positive. The growth is firmly in it, and that gives us the confidence to look ahead now.
Together with WDP we plan the construction of a second, completely new warehouse, a few hundred meters away. This will again be a state-of-the-art site, which must set a new standard in terms of efficiency, sustainability and automation. The delivery is foreseen before the beginning of 2027, and will allow us to scale further and serve new customers within the same quality framework.
T&B: You work for Chocolatiers, among others. Are you worried about the changing decisions of Donald Trump?
K. de Leeneer: It is still too early to have clarity about that, but anyway: if there is a trade war, there are only losers. Free trade is in everyone’s interest.
T&B: Are you a transporter or logistics today?
K. de Leeneer: a logistics, but without transport we would not be anywhere. It is because we ourselves offer our own resources, that customers trust us. And people say it too little: if you work professionally, have an efficient planning and keep your costs under control, then you can still earn money in transport!
T&B: So you still believe in the ‘asset-based’ model …
K. de Leeneer: Absolutely! I used to ride for Danzas. I have seen how things are going. On the one hand, those large groups have far too high structure costs and, moreover, they miss the flexibility that we do have. Here, when a customer calls with someone from my team, then we sit at the table together and find a solution.
T&B: Electric trucks can threaten this model, whereby the carrier owns his own trucks …
K. de Leeneer: In five years we will not be on ‘Zero-Emission’. At the moment, sustainability is no longer a priority for customers, not even for those who have ESG objectives. In five years we will not be completely ‘zero-emission’. What strikes me is that sustainability has recently appeared to disappear in the background in the priorities of customers-even with companies with pronounced ESG objectives. Since Trump’s arrival, that focus in general seems to have decreased, although of course it remains an important theme for the future.
T&B: But we still have to go that direction …
K. de Leeneer: That’s right, and with us that will be with our own electric trucks. That is a matter of added value. If I just deliver a driver to another company that has bought electric trucks, then I am no longer a carrier. So we have to keep our ‘asset-based’ model and at the same time guarantee the charging of our vehicles.
But I still ask myself a lot: how will the government burden electricity in the future? She will lose excise duties on fossil fuels; Stretching electricity to a public charging station, okay, but how with self -produced electricity? And anyway, transport companies will have to become larger. There are currently too many carriers.
Too many transporters in Belgium
T&B: Why?
K. de Leeneer: Because the threshold is much too low. Both in terms of competence – it is too easy to rent a transport permit – and in the financial level. Does a driver who want to start for himself know how his cost is calculated? Buying a first truck is easy, but the more they work and make miles, the more money they lose! And the clients benefit from that.
T&B: Do you find drivers for your growth?
K. de Leeneer: Yes, although it is not easy. I think we have a good reputation. Did you know that I have never had to pay a fine after a check? Today people from 11 different nationalities work with us, all with a Belgian contract. I even have a man from Gaza. A Topkerel! If the deflection rules are applied as is presented today, then that will be a disaster: then we will send the drivers of tomorrow away! Yes, although of course it is not a simple assignment. Yet we succeed, and that is partly thanks to our good reputation as an employer. Today we employ people from 11 different nationalities, all with a Belgian contract.
We strongly believe in appreciating talent, apart from origin or background. For example, we also work with someone from Gaza – a top cerem, enormously motivated. If the proposed deprivation rules become reality, we are just in danger of losing the people who make a difference in tomorrow’s sector. That would only be a real challenge.
In addition to the professionalism that said from the file that he had prepared for the jury of Transporter of the Year, the contact with Kris de Leeneer mainly stands out for his enormous motivation and passion for his company, his life project. As he suggests in his interview, he still has a few great projects in the pipeline and the transporter of the year 2025 will still pleasantly surprise us in the future.
VIP interview
What is the last book you have read?
KDL: I love books that have to do with history, especially about the Second World War. That fascinates me enormously. But I don’t have much time to read, so I listen to e-books. The last book I liked was ‘De Staatsverijand’, a spyer novel by Johan Op de Beeck.
What makes you happy?
KDL: Being healthy. I lost my father too early and also a brother in an accident. So even though I don’t have time to exercise, I take good care of myself. But I haven’t taken a real vacation day for two years …
A person you admire?
KDL: I mention two: since Donald Trump is back, I admire Barack Obama all the more. I am even a bit jealous of his speaking skills! Furthermore, I have always had a lot of admiration for the British athlete Sebastian Coe, who almost became chairman of the IOC. That’s a true gentleman!
Kris de Leeneer in short
Head office: Lokeren
Specialties: Distribution in the Benelux, Logistics services with high added value
Automated warehouse in Lokeren (46,000 pallet places)
Turnover: EUR 20.7 million (2024)
Staff: 99 people, of which 75 drivers
Fleet: 81 tractors, 8 trucks, 6 light commercial vehicles, 82 trailers
