In the port of Dunkirk, food logistics specialist Conhexa Group celebrated its 50th anniversary last weekend. The family business of Hilde Dejonghe and her husband Luc Van Holzaet coupled the jubilee celebration with the official commissioning of a new automated cold store, representing an investment of EUR 25 million. This doubles the company's capacity for fresh produce.
© Conhexa Group
Conhexa Group was founded in 1975 by André Dejonghe, then still under the name Frigo A25. The company started with cold storage in Steenvoorde, on the French-Belgian border. In 1994, Conhexa Group was one of the first companies to establish itself in the port of Dunkirk, then still largely unexplored territory. There, the company focused on handling, among other things, bananas from the Caribbean, which are still shipped to European retail via Dunkirk and Conhexa Group today.
The family business grew into a strategic player in the chain around the northern French port area, with four sites and now more than 55,000 pallet spaces. Besides warehousing and cold storage, Conhexa Group offers a wide range of logistics services, including transport, customs clearance, quality control, and labelling.
Hurricane of 2007
The path was not without obstacles. For instance, the 2007 hurricane, which crippled banana supplies from Central America, dealt a heavy blow. "It took eight years to fully recover from that," Hilde Dejonghe looks back. "Our strength is that we have always believed in ourselves and our values."
© Conhexa Group
Today, the company has 160 employees and is looking ahead. With the commissioning of the automated cold store in Loon-Plage, Conhexa Group aims to double its volumes in the next five years. "This anniversary is not an endpoint, but a catalyst," says Dejonghe. "We want to grow in line with the port's expansion, but always with a focus on added value."
Luc Van Holzaet adds: "Our ambition is to build a robust organisation that can operate autonomously, supported by strong teams and a clear positioning. If we have achieved that within five years, our mission will have succeeded."
Anchored in the region
During the celebrations from 11 to 14 September, customers, port authorities, and union representatives alike highlighted Conhexa Group's role as a pioneer in Dunkirk. "You were visionary when you invested here in 1994, in a place where there was nothing else," said Franck Gonsse, secretary-general of CNTPA. "Today this is a vibrant zone, and you helped lay the foundations for that."
© Conhexa Group
Conhexa Group remains independent and family-driven, but clearly with an international horizon. With the new facility and the strong growth of the port of Dunkirk, the company aims to further develop its position in the European food chain.
For more information:
Conhexa Group
15, Chemin Des Cendres
59114 Steenvoorde, Belgium
+33 (0) 328 438 438
[email protected]
www.conhexa.com