On April 8, an agreement was reached between Stichting Vakgarage and Fource Holding BV about the acquisition by LKQ Fource of the activities of Stichting Vakgarage, including all rights to the ‘Vakgarage Concept’ as operated by Stichting Vakgarage, including the shares in Vakgarage. Projekten BV and Vakgarage Professional BV As usual, Vakgarage will continue to operate from the current head office, with the existing group of employees, under the leadership of the current director Edgar Brauckmann. This guarantees continuity for franchisees and staff.
Johan van der Hoeven, CCO of LKQ Fource is happy with the acquisition. “We welcome Vakgarage within LKQ Fource and are convinced that together we are able to realize the necessary growth and scale. The position of Vakgarage in the Netherlands is very strong and we are determined to further expand it in close cooperation with the participating companies and to adapt it to the challenges that will come our way in the coming years. We see Vakgarage’s wish to grow outside the Netherlands as a great ambition that fits within the strategy of LKQ Fource and our European sister companies”.
Vishal Durgaram, who held the role of chairman of Stichting Vakgarage until the takeover, will join LKQ Fource. In his new role he will be responsible for Vakgarage and the sister concept Qualitygarage in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. “In order to be able to continue to guarantee the position of Vakgarage in the future, we have chosen to make even better use of the many years of intensive cooperation with LKQ Fource. After all, we want to continue to lead the way as the most progressive garage formula and to realize the great ambitions in the field of electrification and the transition from car company to mobility provider. The unification with LKQ Fource will allow us to make the investments that will be necessary to maintain and expand our leading position.”
“LKQ Fource was the logical partner for this acquisition, given the many years of cooperation with Vakgarage, their market knowledge and the European LKQ network of which they are part. LKQ Fource knows the working method of Vakgarage towards Franchisees like no other and shares the same values when it comes to facilitating customers and consumers. Together we are stronger and more future-oriented than ever,” said Durgaram.