During a recent meeting in Koningshooikt, Belgium, Filip Van Hool and Roman Cornell finalized details to continue the long-term distribution agreement for Van Hool motorcoaches in the North American market through ABC Companies.
“It is amazing to see the synergies between the Cornell and Van Hool families,” Cornell said. “Both Fillip and I are the third generation of family-operated organizations. It is a great honor for both of us to carry on the traditions started by our grandparents and solidified by our parents and their siblings.”
He added that his recent transition into the CEO role at ABC Companies was under the close mentorship of his uncle, Dane Cornell, the former CEO who helped solidify the foundation established by Clancy and Ron Cornell. That foundation will be the jump-off point for the company’s next phase of growth, Cornell said.
“This growth is only possible with strong long-term partners like Van Hool,” he said. “Their quality products, desire to understand and meet customers’ evolving needs, and dedication to the North American market have resulted in ABC delivering almost 12,000 new motorcoach units into the US and Canadian markets since 1987.”
Growing portfolio
Cornell said Van Hool’s decision to take extraordinary measures to keep their plants running throughout the pandemic is a testament to its dedication to the North American market.
“Bold decisions like these allowed ABC to meet the needs of customers who added to their fleets even during the pandemic,” he said. “This unique relationship allows Van Hool to focus on their core strength of engineering and building world-class motorcoaches, while the ABC team sells, markets, services, and supports the North American customer base.”
Over the past 24 months, ABC Companies has dramatically grown its product portfolio, making electric versions of the Van Hool CX45 and TDX double deck, while bringing on several cutaway and passenger van suppliers.
Building distribution partnerships with brands like Turtle Top, Frontrunner, Sunset, Coach & Equipment and more allows the Orlando company to offer more options, Cornell said.
“With our current product portfolio, we can provide solutions for eight to 81 passengers, traveling across the country or town, and do so with ICE/combustion or zero emissions,” Cornell said.
