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Lier – The Dutch industrial group VDL will face competition for the takeover of the bankrupt bus manufacturer. Belgian businessman and business doctor Guido Dumarey has made an ultimate counter-offer at the last minute and promises to save many more jobs than the people of Eindhoven, who made a joint offer together with the German trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull. It is now the curators’ turn.
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New takeover candidate bankrupt Van Hool promises to retain one third more employees than the tandem VDL-Schmitz Cargobull
Until Monday, VDL was the only candidate for the takeover of the bus company from Lier. The industrial conglomerate of the Van der Leegte family has made a binding offer with conditions for the company with Schmitz Cargobull. The two would like to pay €200 million for the bus builder, for which the curtain finally fell yesterday. However, of the 2,500 jobs, 1,550 to 1,850 would be cut.
Dumarey, who has his origins in the automotive industry and started his career at Michelin, announced on Monday evening that he would make an offer. He works together with the American company ABC Companies. This morning he also submitted that ‘ultimate offer’ to the curators. Dumarey promises to retain at least a third more jobs than VDL and Schmitz Cargobull.
‘Keep more jobs’
It is now up to the curators to assess the best offer. On Monday after the bankruptcy ruling, curator Jeroen Pinoy announced that he wanted to quickly reach an agreement with VDL and Schmitz Cargobull. “Discussions will continue with the prospective buyer in the coming days,” said curator Jeroen Pinoy in the press conference. “They initially intend to keep six hundred to nine hundred employees employed. These candidates want a quick restart. We are talking about days, not weeks.”
VDL would take over Van Hool’s bus and touring activities. Schmitz Cargobull, market leader for semi-trailers, continues with the part of Van Hool’s factory that specializes in this.
The Belgian Dumaray is no stranger to the curators. He previously made an offer for Van Hool, but withdrew that offer on April 8 when the trustees asked him to extend the offer.
