After a construction period of over half a year the brand new location of Emiel De Roeck and Zonen is now open. The official opening took place on Monday April 4. Everyone was welcome from 6 am for a bite to eat and a drink.
Patrick de Roeck and Dirk Denaeghel.
Brussels and Sint-Katelijne-Waver
Owner Patrick De Roack says that the company now has two locations: one in Brussels and one in Sint-Katelijne--Waver. "First the company Verduras was taken under De Roeck, but it no longer exists and is integrated into our new location in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. Everything that we offer in Brussels is also available here. The Verduras vegetables and De Roeck fruit have now been combined into a fine range. Our main citrus brands are still Stephanie, Drie Vrouwen and Sucre.
The heart of the sector
Patrick has been looking forward to opening a location in Sint-Katelijne-Waver. "You notice that visiting the European Centre in Brussels is becoming less popular among customers. Besides this many of our customers have to go to Sint-Katelijne-Waver. They might as well buy all the products from here at once. Sint-Katelijn-Waver is the heart of the Belgian fruit and vegetable sector and we are now finally located there!"
Little future in Brussels
In the 70's importers could pick between a market in Sint-Katelijne-Waver or Brussels. They then chose Brussels and Patrick believes this was a regrettable decision. "There is little future in Brussels. We are staying there, but we can't deny that is decreasing. We used to have two big advantages: the building was outside the city and we start at 6 am in the morning. Now we are in the city and the sales are done by 6 am. Brussels is also extremely difficult to reach. The traffic situation during the day is dramatic." He indicates that the location of De Roeck in Brussels will remain there. "Of course customers still come, but our rental contract runs out this decade and we will leave when it does. It isn't even certain whether the city of Brussels will still want the market there, so we are better to be prepared."
Location Sint-Katelijne-Waver
A number of wholesalers are still located at wholesale market Frugro. "There are still a few of our customers here too. We won't supply to small traders ourselves, but will continue to supply the same clientele. Dirk Denaeghel is taking the lead here and in Brussels Francis van Overstraeten has control. Wim Van Varenberg is responsible for the vegetables in Sint-Katelijne-Waver."
De Roeck in Sint-Katelijne-Waver is open every day from 04:00 am.
Wim van Varenberg.
For more information:
Patrick De Roeck
Locatie Frugro
Strijbroek 3
B 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver