'A strong alliance as insurance for the future'

Striking integration in the furniture industry - conversation with Peter van Hoecke

Van Hoecke has been an established supplier to the furniture industry and market leader in the distribution of Blum functional furniture fittings for decades. For more than 50 years they have been exclusive distributor of the Austrian quality manufacturer in the Benelux. "The highest goal of our company is to ensure the survival of the business across generations," says Peter Van Hoecke (CEO). "Besides perpetuating continuity, we also want to create sustainable growth and essential well-being for the 365 employees and all parties involved in the company from near or far."

"The main driver to ensure that continuity and secure our future is to maintain our current market position, complemented by a healthy growth ambition," says Peter. Therefore, over the past decades, the company has evolved from distribution to assembly of pre-assembled metal drawers from Blum to a manufacturer of their own TA'OR BOX drawers. Especially with those drawer systems, steps towards the international market have already been taken. "This evolution has allowed us to build up a unique expertise and knowledge in the field of mass customization," says Peter. "After all, all our pre-assembled products can be ordered and produced from lot size one. A unique feature, not only in our sector."

However, international expansion on its own is time-consuming and unpredictable. "Therefore, the key lies in forging strong alliances," Peter said. "An alliance with an international global player is the best insurance for steady and sustainable growth. This way, our company can fall back on an existing and qualitative distribution network and thus significantly shorten the time needed to achieve the first good results outside its own borders. This increase in scale is therefore the best guarantee for achieving the company's vision of long-term survival and expansion."

In the search for the right alliance, it was a logical step to combine the company's combined expertise and deep market knowledge with the world-class expertise of its key supplier and long-time loyal partner Blum. The combination of Blum's strength in absolute product leadership and expertise in mass production with Van Hoecke's leadership in service and knowledge of customized products is clearly a strong combination for the future. "1 plus 1 therefore more than 2," said Peter. "Blum will therefore integrate Van Hoecke NV and its sister companies Van Hoecke BV (Netherlands) and Halux NV (Production) 100% into the Blum Group in the first quarter of 2024."

A strong future assured

With the integration, the company is taking a clear step forward to continue to optimally serve customers in the Benelux and introduce new services for the other international markets served by Blum. "As Van Hoecke within the Blum Group, we retain our individuality and autonomy to continue working on the development of new services that optimally support and accompany Blum's products," says Peter. "An additional advantage is that Blum 100% is also a family business and is therefore characterized by the same values (long-term vision and great commitment to employees and customers). This allows us to continue to ensure continuity of culture, service and support for our customers and employees." "Not only have we had a partnership with Van Hoecke for more than 50 years, but also a cross-generational bond between the owners and the companies," explains Philipp Blum (Managing Director Blum). 

All employees will remain on board to continue their knowledge and know-how. Van Hoecke's current product portfolio and house brands will also be retained. "With the strong support of Blum, we want to continue to grow into a center of excellence in the furniture industry," Peter concludes.