On Monday, parts specialist TVH welcomed Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne at its headquarters. They discussed the current challenges that Belgian companies face and the local anchoring of global player TVH in Belgium. "It is important to invest locally in 'our' Belgium. We want to attract the right people during the war for talent. We strive to be the employer of choice", says Dominiek Valcke, CEO of TVH.
Today, parts specialist TVH welcomed Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Deputy Prime Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne at The Hub, its headquarters in Waregem. The state-of-the-art building was officially opened in March 2022. In its design, great attention was paid to comfort, ergonomics and efficiency. Numerous CO2 sensors, temperature sensors and regulators ensure a pleasant indoor climate, and the sound-absorbing materials also contribute to comfort. It is the first time the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have visited the headquarters.
Prime Minister De Croo and Deputy Prime Minister Van Quickenborne were given a guided tour of the TVH Experience Center, the headquarters' flagship building. A 1500 m2 visitor centre, where TVH welcomes customers, applicants, suppliers and associations. Its interactive nature makes the Experience Center more than just a showroom; visitors can play some games and test their driving skills with a virtual lift truck. Today, in the TVH Experience Center, Prime Minister De Croo and Deputy Prime Minister Van Quickenborne received more information about TVH's history, TVH's various products and services, logistics and the importance of a strong corporate culture in the war for talent.
As a people-oriented company recognised with the Flemish Sports Company of the Year award, TVH had also thought of the appropriate souvenirs. After the tour, both ministers received a framed poster in the style of TVH's employer branding campaign, a cycling outfit, and for Minister Van Quickenborne, a TVH bodysuit as a gift for his newborn daughter Lou.
CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE
TVH is a growth company reflecting on the future. The visit was the perfect time to hold a conversation with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on the challenges businesses face, such as the public infrastructure in Belgium, the lack of flexibility, the tight labour market and the importance of training.
"We are extremely proud that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister joined us in Waregem to visit our headquarters", says Dominiek Valcke, CEO of TVH. "It was a fruitful conversation, during which we addressed challenges and discussed opportunities. We look forward to seeing how the government will put this into practice."
Deputy Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne: "TVH is one of the crown jewels of the West Flemish economy. With more than 80 branches on all continents, it is a global leader in its industry. The company has a strong history, but they do not remain stagnant. As we say in West Flemish: ‘alsan deure doen’ (always keep going). But they also face a lot of challenges that we want to help companies like TVH with. The main hardship is a lack of staff. A lot of companies in the region are struggling with this. The unemployment rate in West Flanders is 2,7%, while we border Hainaut where a lot of jobseekers need more encouragement to work across the language border. We have already taken measures with this government. Among other things, we have made it possible for the VDAB and its Walloon counterpart to work together so that the Walloon unemployed are channelled to Flemish vacancies. But Walloon unemployed people should also be obliged to register with the VDAB. Everyone has to work to keep our economy going."
INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, LOCAL ANCHORING
Besides the challenges, TVH management and the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister also talked about TVH's position in Belgium and West Flanders and the importance of growing Belgian flagships into global players.
Although TVH operates globally, it remains locally anchored, and wants to continue attracting the right talent locally. Through past investments, such as the investment in the head office The Hub and the automated warehouse, and through a very people-oriented vision of HR, with training, a focus on well-being and many opportunities for advancement, TVH is coping with the war for talent.
TVH is one of Belgium's largest employers, with over 2200 employees, most of whom are based in Waregem. That is a 22% growth compared to 2018. In four years' time, sales have also grown by 29%.
"At TVH, we are immensely proud to be a global player. At the same time, it is equally important to continue investing locally in 'our' Belgium. This local anchoring is high on our agenda", says Dominiek Valcke. "We want to attract the right people during the war for talent. We strive to be the employer of choice."