In a significant financial turnaround, Zeebrugge logistics group ECS, based near Knokke-Heist, increased its turnover to 524 million euros last year, compared to 420 million last year. Even more significant is the increase in net profit after tax from 2 to 8 million euros.
The company, now fully owned by Christine de Tijker and her husband Mark Langridt, went through an interesting phase of family restructuring. This follows the purchase of the remaining 50% stake in ECS from Christine’s sister Kelly de Tijker and her husband Peter Balken. The stock transaction is valued at 108 million euros.
After the sale, Kelly de Tijker and Peter Balken transferred their assets to the new family office, Mallow Ventures. With an initial capital of 90 million euros, Mallow Ventures will focus mainly on real estate and private equity.
The family reorganization marks a turning point in the history of ECS. The company started as a simple transport company and is now an intermodal logistics operator, with strong links to both Europe and the UK. It manages 10,000 containers, which are mainly transported by rail, covering 70 million rail kilometers per year.
Part of ECS’s ambitious future plans is the establishment of a new fully automated warehouse in Zeebrugge. The EUR 35 million investment is expected to further increase the company’s efficiency and capacity.
These are exciting times for ECS and the local community. With ECS under new management, replaced by CEO Philippe Mathieu following the departure of Peter Falcone, the future of the company is interesting to follow.
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