ABC Companies, VDL Groep Officials Discuss Future Plans For Van Hool In North America

By Harrell Kerkhoff, Busline Magazine Editor

Shown, left to right, are Remi Henkemans, senior vice president of VDL Groep; Marc van Doorn, CEO of VDL Van Hool; and Roman Cornell, CEO of ABC Companies. (Photo courtesy of Jill Kelly and Terrapin Blue)

To provide further insight into the future of ABC Companies, Van Hool under the leadership of the VDL Groep, and the overall industry outlook, ABC and VDL representatives participated in a Coachside Connect Q&A during the recently completed United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Motorcoach EXPO, held in Oklahoma City, OK.

For over 35 years, ABC has been the exclusive North American distributor of Van Hool. In June 2024, the acquisition of the Van Hool motorcoach division by the VDL Groep was announced, coupled with a 10-year exclusive distribution agreement between VDL and ABC Companies involving the U.S. and Canadian markets.

The acquisition by VDL, an international industrial family business founded in 1953 and headquartered in the Netherlands, has marked a significant step toward diversifying and enhancing Van Hool production capabilities and customer offerings, according to ABC Companies, adding that with over 14,000 employees and a presence in 20 countries, VDL Groep brings vast experience, capabilities and stability to the motorcoach market. The Van Hool brand and its current models have joined the existing VDL portfolio of motorcoach and transit/low-floor bus offerings.

A panel featuring Roman Cornell, CEO of ABC Companies; Jay Oakman, chief operating officer of ABC Companies; Marc van Doorn, CEO of VDL Van Hool; and Remi Henkemans, senior vice president of VDL Groep discussed during the Q&A the partnership’s vision, operational achievements, and plans to address evolving market needs.

Oakman said a main objective of the Q&A “is for people to be as excited as we (at ABC) are about the future of the Van Hool brand in North America, about ABC Companies overall, and about the VDL Groep.”

He noted that ABC Companies and the VDL Groep actually started a business relationship several years prior to the VDL purchase of the Van Hool motorcoach division in 2024. The relationship began with VDL supplying parts to ABC.

“By 2023, (ABC Companies) was the VDL Groep’s second largest parts customer worldwide,” Oakman said. “Our relationship over the years with VDL has proven that we share values of trust, innovation, and customer-first solutions. That foundation made the transition seamless last year when VDL acquired Van Hool’s assets.”

Cornell addressed the stability of ABC Companies’ relationship with VDL since the acquisition of those assets.

“When VDL officially took over (the Van Hool assets) in July (2024), the (former Van Hool) Belgium factory was completely shut down, while (the Van Hool factory) in North Macedonia was continuing to produce buses. In just seven months, VDL reorganized, renegotiated with vendors, and restarted production,” Cornell said. “It’s impressive how far we’ve come. I’d rate progress at a solid B-plus. If you think back from last July 1 to now, (the progress) has been impressive.”

Cornell added that such progress continues, which includes improvements in fleet uptime, cost reductions, and achieving greater service.

VDL Van Hool CEO Marc van Doorn gave praise back to ABC Companies, stating that the strong partnership between the two companies is based on trust, expertise, and cooperation.

“We are both family business companies and share a common culture and values,” van Doorn said. “If you speak the same ‘language,’ you can act very fast to serve customers. Therefore, we are excited to align our resources and redefine the standard.”

When asked what the acquisition of Van Hool’s assets by the VDL Groep mean for North American operators, Cornell explained: “It means we now have two family-run organizations that are in the bus business and love the bus business. I think it’s the most secure brand in North America.”

VDL Groep Senior Vice President Remi Henkemans added his thoughts on how VDL will help maintain and enhance ABC Companies’ reputation within the North American transportation marketplace.

“VDL has long been known for reliability, sustainability, and low operating costs,” Henkemans said. “Our engineering capacity, combined with expertise in fuel efficiency and e-mobility, will further enhance our offerings. Together with ABC Companies, we’re delivering high-quality vehicles that meet the evolving needs of North American operators.

“Overall, as a result of this partnership, I believe North American operators will benefit from improved serviceability, durability, and return on investment.”

Cornell discussed how the transition involving the VDL Groep will impact current North American Van Hool owners and fleet operators going forward.

“Our customers will continue to receive high quality products. Nothing has changed as it pertains to ABC Companies. That includes the continuation of our online parts store, our parts company, our service, our 24-hour tech capabilities, and our company as a whole. All of that remains intact. Customers will continue to receive great service from ABC Companies,” Cornell said. “As far as what VDL has to offer, it involves added leverage and expertise which we, at ABC Companies, will share with our customers.”

Oakman noted the VDL Groep is much more than just a bus/coach manufacturer. It’s involved in many different industries, and thus can draw upon its vast expertise that involves various business segments to further help companies involved in the bus/coach industry.

As far as the Van Hool brand name going forward is concerned, Henkemans said there are no plans to change the name.

“It’s never been in question for us, at VDL, about whether to change the name or not,” he added. “Van Hool is a very well-known name in the bus industry. It’s a name associated with reliability — and the name will remain.”

Both VDL representatives, as well as Cornell, expressed optimism about the ongoing partnership between the two entities.

“I think the possibilities are endless when it comes to the expertise and knowledge of ABC Companies and the capabilities within VDL as it relates to engineering and production. I’m very excited about the future,” van Doorn said.

Cornell added: “ABC Companies will continue to take care of its core customers as well as highlight the different products and capabilities that VDL has to offer, along with their expertise. I feel the future of this partnership is very bright.”

Visit abc-companies.com and vdlgroep.com/en.