Tailormade Logistics has completed a full management transition, with co-CEOs Kelly De Dijcker and Pieter Balcaen acquiring the remaining 25 percent stake from founder Bert Vandecaveye.
The deal makes the entrepreneurial duo the sole shareholders of Tailormade Logistics (TML), after acquiring a 75 percent stake via their investment vehicle Malo Ventures in 2025.
Founded in Ghent in 1996, TML has since scaled into a major logistics player across Europe with nearly €200 million in turnover. “What we have achieved with TML today is the result of years of entrepreneurship and the dedication of our employees,” Bert shares.
He will be stepping down from day-to-day management, handing over operational and strategic leadership to Kelly and Pieter. “I am confident that Kelly and Pieter are the right people to lead the company into its next phase. They know the business, share our entrepreneurial spirit and will continue building on what we have achieved together,” he expresses his full confidence in the new leadership.
Under Kelly and Pieter – who built European Containers (ECS) into a €500 million logistics business as co-CEOs before exiting in 2022 – TML intends to continue pursuing its growth strategy “with determination”, including investing in a strong European network, modern logistics infrastructure and integrated end-to-end solutions tailored to customer needs.
Industry consolidation and multimodal growth
The deal coincides with the broader logistics sector’s accelerated consolidation, driven by rising operational costs, stricter ESG compliance standards and the capital expenditure required for supply chain digitalisation. In this environment, medium-sized family businesses are increasingly turning to strategic partnerships or larger platforms to maintain market competitiveness.
TML plans to position itself as an active consolidator in this landscape through a targeted M&A strategy focused on complementary capabilities, geographic footprint extension and specialised niche markets. Future acquisitions will prioritise long-term vision and cultural alignment, allowing targets to preserve their entrepreneurial identity while leveraging TML's expanded European network.
Alongside external growth, the group is committing substantial capital toward its multimodal strategy, integrating rail freight, inland shipping and short-sea operations with its traditional road transport footprint to drive decarbonisation. On the technology side, ongoing investments will centre on supply chain automation, predictive analytics and process transparency to achieve greater operational efficiency.
“We have great respect for what Bert has built,” stated Kelly and Pieter. “We are committed to preserving the entrepreneurial mindset, growth strategy and close involvement with both employees and customers. At the same time, we aim to further professionalise TML, strengthen collaboration across the group and prepare the company for the next phase of sustainable growth.”
