Aertssen Group expands into America

Aertssen Logistics is proud to announce the opening of its new international logistics site, located in Savannah (Georgia) in the United States. This important milestone in the global expansion of the Antwerp-based family business strengthens its position as a leading player in efficient solutions for machine logistics.

Impressive growth story

Aertssen Logistics was founded about ten years ago as a new department within Aertssen Group, alongside the established divisions Aertssen Infra and Aertssen Lifting. As a sister company of Aertssen Transport, which focused on exceptional transports, Aertssen Logistics initially focused on the then still relatively limited storage of machinery for the construction, mining and agricultural sectors.

Over the years, this business unit has experienced impressive growth and evolved into one of the key players within Europe. The company now has three fully-fledged and strategically located 'Equipment Processing Centers' (EPC) to serve the European market. Two of these are located in the port of Antwerp (Kallo and Verrebroek) and the third in Zeebrugge, the largest ro-ro port in the world. A fourth EPC, along the Albert Canal in Beringen, is currently on the design table. In addition, they built an intensive partner network in manufacturing markets such as China, Japan and Korea.

These aforementioned EPCs are responsible for the complete outsourcing of logistics activities, such as machine inspections, repairs and complete assemblies. As a result, Aertssen's logistics team currently prepares some 30,000 machines annually for delivery to the end customers of various global players in the mechanical engineering sector.

With the opening of a new site in Savannah, Aertssen is further expanding its horizons to support manufacturers of (land) construction machinery around the world with innovative, efficient logistics solutions. In doing so, it aims to double its current capacity by 2030.

Full-service center in strategic location

The new facility in the United States offers comprehensive logistics services, indoor and outdoor storage and various customized technical services. With its strategic location near the Port of Savannah, known as a major hub for the southeastern region of the United States, the facility, which encompasses some 130,000 square feet, is the ideal logistics center.

"Just like in Belgium, our slogan 'People, power and passion to build on!' is at the heart of our business," he said. said Wouter Clissen, general manager of Aertssen Logistics USA Inc.

Customer-oriented expansion 

The quality of the infrastructure and the innovative way of working developed in Belgium created an ever-increasing demand from their global customers to transfer this to the United States. In addition, the American market has a large volume of machinery and also possesses significant growth potential. It is the combination of both aspects that made Aertssen take the leap.

With the opening of the EPC in Savannah, the logistics business unit is taking the next step in its international growth strategy. In the next few years, Aertssen Logistics plans to open additional branches in Baltimore, Tacoma and Houston in order to fully support its customers on this continent as well.

Successful start and future plans

We can also already speak of a successful crossing. At the end of May the first machines arrived and through the partnership with several customers a local expansion is already imminent.

"In everything we do, our customers and employees are at the center," he said. says Sam Aertssen, Director of Aertssen Logistics. "And although we are off to a flying start in the USA, it is very important that we keep the growth sustainable. I am very grateful for the journey we have taken to date and also look forward tremendously to what is to come."  

With this expansion, in addition to several offices in Belgium and the Arabian Gulf, Aertssen Group, "Company of the Year 2021," now has a strong presence in America. As a result, the number of employees worldwide is growing toward 2,500.