6 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers May / June 2018
6 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Tank Containers May / June 2018
H Essers takes over Huktra
Huktra ’ s location in Zeebrugge is seen as a strategic asset for both European and intercontinental intermodal destinations H Essers has its own tank container terminal and filling installation in Wilrijk
L ogistics service provider H Essers is taking over tank container operator Huktra . Both companies are Belgium-based ; H Essers in Genk , and Huktra in Zeebrugge . However , the acquisition gives H Essers an expanded footprint as Huktra has offices in the UK , Spain and Italy . Founded in 1976 , Huktra is currently managed by Gerd and Tim Van Poucke , the second generation at the head of the family business . They have managed to expand the company substantially in recent years , and now believe that in H Essers they have found the ideal industrial partner to lead Huktra into a new growth phase . For H Essers , the take-over is in line with the expansion of its strategic market division operating in the chemical industry . With a fleet of 897 tank containers for the transport of all kinds of chemicals , Huktra specialises in three markets : liquid bulk ( inorganic substances , polymers , special chemicals , and consumer chemicals ), dry bulk ( food ) and powders . The firm ’ s location in the port of Zeebrugge is seen as a strategic asset for both European and intercontinental intermodal destinations . The company ’ s client portfolio includes leading chemical companies such as BASF , Eastman and Repsol . Huktra has a turnover of € 50 million and employs approximately 50 employees , spread over its offices in Belgium , Italy , Spain , and the UK . In Zeebrugge the company also has its own maintenance centre of 20,000 sqm . Gerd and Tim Van Poucke and all employees will stay on board . “ After the strong growth Huktra has recorded over the past years , it is now time for the next step ,” the Van Pouckes said . “ Thanks to the take-over by a strong , industrial player such as H Essers , Huktra will be able to keep growing in the coming years and to develop our expertise .” H Essers ’ CEO Gert Bervoets is also looking forward with confidence . “ The take-over of Huktra is entirely in line with our strategy to offer our clients the best possible ‘ synchro-modal ’ solutions . Combining different modes of transport in an intelligent way is the future , because it offers an answer to current challenges in the field of mobility and the environment . But most of all , synchro-modality offers a new interpretation for the management of transport flows . This approach not only makes them more efficient , but also more advantageous and sustainable . A win-win situation for all parties involved : customers , logistics service providers , and society .” Bervoets continued : “ Huktra is a family business with the same values and standards as H Essers . We are all on the same page . Moreover , just like H Essers , Huktra is committed to safety and quality , including a constant renewal of its materials and installations , which means that the approach and operation also meet the highest standards and strictest values . We eagerly look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the warm H Essers family and continue building our future together .” The company now has 71 offices in 17 countries . “ At a national level , the take-over seamlessly connects to the construction of our trimodal chemical site , H Essers Dry Port Genk , for which the ground-breaking celebration recent took place , and to our recent investments in the upgrade of our site in Wilrijk , with its ISO tank container terminal and state-of the art filling installation ,” Bervoets added . “ This enables us to improve our all-in solutions for our chemicals customers .”