Van Hool Koningshooikt factory '1974–2024

'1974

https://www.autopaper.com/images/23603/photo/img6544_83245.jpg

1967 - 1974

Internationalisation, growth, new markets and the socialisation of tourism meant that the development mill at Van Hool continued to turn. Long-distance tourism emerged, supported by the ever-expanding European motorway network. This brought about an important evolution: the manufacture of quite sophisticated vehicles designed for mass tourism and maximum profitability.

The success of the vehicles built in 1966-1967, with the entire range being completely redesigned, was due to the demands Van Hool had made of himself. The starting point was: what does the customer want?

In cooperation with the National Employment Office, the first welding school was founded; Van Hool constantly needed skilled workers and they were difficult, if not impossible, to find on the labour market.

On 6 March 1974 Bernard Van Hool died suddenly at a building fair in Brussels. He was there looking for information for the new production hall that was to be built. His motto: “Building is my life. To keep on building is your task. The road is ahead.” It’s a motto that is still lived by today.

On 6 July 1974: The foundation stone of the new I.V. factory was laid. On 1 January 1976, De Misstraat was renamed Bernard Van Hoolstraat, a tribute by the municipal council of Koningshooikt to its founder.

https://www.vdlvanhool.com/en/about-vdl-van-hool/history