A better understanding of the business
In 2018, when Kristof’s wife wanted to pursue her career outside his company, Dockx Handling Equipment, he fully respected her decision. Instead of recruiting a replacement, he decisively opted to grow with support from Legia Capital. “It really gives you peace of mind if you can find people you trust to look at your company’s operations. I now have a much better understanding of the business and where we make our money.”
Need for a sounding board
Dockx Handling Equipment rents out mobile port equipment, such as container handlers, reach stackers, forklifts, terminal tractors, wheel loaders and skid-steer loaders. “When I set up the company in 2009, my wife took on administration and staffing without being asked – even though she wasn’t trained for that,” says CEO Kristof Dockx. “Over the years, HR and finance grew to be so complex that upskilling became essential. This pushed her too much in a direction that didn’t suit her natural talents. As for me, after running the company alone and having to make all the decisions myself for 10 years, I needed a sounding board.”
Entrepreneurs just like me
I immediately felt a connection with Legia Capital, as they’re entrepreneurs just like me. Their proposal to work together long term in an open-ended relationship built on solid foundations gave me confidence.” The first logical step was to expand geographically from the Port of Antwerp to the Port of Rotterdam.
Logical expansion to Rotterdam
In 2020 Dockx Handling Equipment acquired the container handling business of mateco (a subsidiary of TVH). A new sister company, Green Port Equipment bv, entered into an exclusive dealership agreement with CVS Ferrari, an Italian forklift truck manufacturer committed to quality and green technology. “Legia Capital has mainly helped me understand my company’s financials and where we make our money,” Kristof points out. “Furthermore, I can still manage the day-to-day business as an entrepreneur. I’m also happy that my wife has been able to follow her heart. My business is important to me, but my family comes first.”
Thanks to Legia Capital, I now have a much better understanding of the financials and where we make our money
Kristof Dockx, CEO Dockx Handling Equipment
Activity:
Rental of port-related mobile equipment
www.dockxhandling.be
Type:
Owner buy-out
Investment date:
October 2019
