Verhoek Europe a household name in logistics since 1953
Over 70 years of experience
History Verhoek Europe
From horse and cart to a leading logistics service provider across Europe.
Verhoek Europe was founded in 1953 by Gijsbert Verhoek, the founder of this family business. With the transport of reeds and rushes as its core business in the early years, the logistics service grew further by transporting imported coir as the main raw material for the local matting industry.
Remarkably, the first international footprints were set in Germany. Germany was the main sales area, so from 1980 onwards, work started on building a European distribution network.
In 1994, when the development of the local Dutch carpet industry demanded additional forms of logistics solutions, Verhoek Europe invested in an efficient and solid European-wide network with 12 of its own branches and long-term partner relationships. Focused on local transport, national and international transport, fine-meshed distribution and professional warehousing.
All logistics services concentrated on the efficient movement of goods from manufacturer to end consumer.
Timeline
2024
Sustainability
Verhoek Europe seeks cooperation with external partners and has launched several projects to stay compliant with modern laws and regulations. Examples include; Mobility Package (driving and resting times, cabotage and tachograph), Circularity, Paris Climate Agreement 2030 – zero emissions, Energy Transition, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD, part of Green Deal European Union) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, part of United Nations laws and regulations).
Digitalisation
Verhoek aims to undergo a digital transformation to become a future-proof and agile organisation. Implement new systems, where real-time information becomes necessary. Paperless transport to replace paper documents with electronic data. Focus on big data to capture huge data volume of both structured and unstructured data and use it to make smarter future decisions.
2023
A beautiful crown on Verhoek Europe’s 70th anniversary is the opening of a new Warehouse for XL logistics at business park H2O in Hattemerbroek. The demand for specialised transport of fragile and long goods has increased sharply. Transporting industrial doors, awnings, garden sheds, etc. required special expertise and handling. This has resulted in a new working environment where the internal infrastructure is fully geared towards the careful handling of these fragile goods.
In June 2023, Sjoerd Stiksma will take office as CEO. Sjoerd has been a shareholder of Verhoek Europe since 2022 and owns International freight forwarding company Continent B.V. in ‘s-Heerenberg. His experience and expertise will naturally be used to further develop Verhoek Europe’s ambitions.
2022
Management and shareholder change at Verhoek Europe. Brothers Doeke Verhoek, Jan Verhoek and Jaap Verhoek will transfer their shares to brother Henk Verhoek and investors Sjoerd Stiksma and Hans van Eenennaam. Verhoek Europe is thus strengthening its position and paving the way for investments aimed at continuity and development of the organisation.
2020
To further expand and strengthen the unique and independent network, two new branches in the UK were commissioned in 2020 Harlow and Doncaster. The strategically convenient locations allow us to serve the entire United Kingdom.
Picture Doncaster branch
Historical highlights - Verhoek Europe through all the years
2023 New logistics centre for XL logistics
2022 Change of management and shareholders at Verhoek Europe
2020 Start of two new branches in Harlow and Doncaster United Kingdom
2018 Acquisition of Zwerus Transport Hasselt (NL)
2016 Takeover Middlegate Zeebrugge
2013 Takeover of Linde-Deutsch-Transport (LDT) in Germany
2010 Takeover of De Klok Logistics in Hasselt (NL)
2005 Takeover of Roost Taeppe Transport in Denmark
2005 Establishment of Verhoek Czech Republic
2005 Establishment of Continental Express Flooring in Belgium
2003 Takeover of Dieren Transport in Genemuiden (NL)
1996 New logistics centre built in Genemuiden
1996 Acquisition of Carpet Force in the United Kingdom
1994 Establishment of Verhoek Nederland BV
1991 Establishment of Verhoek Teppich Logistik GmbH
1991 Acquisition of VVT International NV in Belgium
1988 Acquisition of Edel Carpet fleet
1980 Verhoek started European distribution network
1970 Rise of the carpet industry
1953 Gijsbert Verhoek starts transport company focusing on rushes, reeds, coir and mats
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