HESS Belgium takes over Exqui.City lifecycle support following Van Hool bankruptcy

HESS Belgium has started operations in Heist-op-den-Berg as a service and expertise centre, taking over technical know-how related to the Van Hool Exqui.City platform and supporting vehicles already in operation. Heist-op-den-Berg is a town in Belgium’s Antwerp province, near Van Hool’s former base in Koningshooikt.

The Belgian operation brings together former Van Hool employees and follows the transfer to HESS of intellectual property rights associated with the Exqui.City. According to a release published on the Busworld blog on 22 September, the activities include technical assistance, spare parts, software support, vehicle modifications and retrofit services.

The Exqui.City is no longer set to be produced as a new vehicle following Van Hool’s bankruptcy in 2024. HESS Belgium’s activities are instead focused on supporting existing vehicles through their remaining service life.

The operation adds these activities to other technological capabilities acquired by HESS. In January 2026, the Swiss manufacturer took over KIEPE’s technological activities in the trolleybus segment, adding trolleybus system technology to its existing vehicle activities.

Credit picture: Magyarbusz

HESS Belgium takes over Exqui.City technical expertise

HESS had already become involved with the Exqui.City platform following an order placed by Île-de-France Mobilités for 30 battery-electric, 24-metre vehicles. Five buses had been delivered when Van Hool went bankrupt. HESS subsequently participated in completing the remaining 25 vehicles, working with existing technology partners and former Van Hool personnel.

According to Hungaria trade media Magyarbusz, which attended the official opening on 17 September, the new HESS Belgium facility in Heist-op-den-Berg provides around 4,500 square metres of workshop space and currently employs 25 people, with the workforce expected to increase to 35–40 in the medium term. At the time of the opening, two 24-metre Van Hool Exqui.City vehicles from the Mettis network in Metz were undergoing major roof-structure refurbishment at the site.

Reportedly, the entire HESS Belgium team is composed of former Van Hool employees. The operation is headed by Geert Van Hecke, who previously worked for the Belgian manufacturer.

The intellectual property rights for the Exqui.City initially passed to VDL Van Hool following Van Hool’s bankruptcy. HESS subsequently acquired the rights through a technology transfer, reportedly.

The activities now established in Heist-op-den-Berg cover technical support for operators, spare parts, software updates and possible modifications to vehicles already in service.

Retrofit activities are also included in the centre’s scope. These can involve battery replacement, replacement of obsolete components, software updates, structural repairs and the installation of newer technologies on buses already in operation.

In brief

• What is HESS Belgium’s role for the Exqui.City fleet?
  It provides technical support, spare parts, software updates and possible vehicle modifications for Exqui.City buses already in operation.
• Will HESS restart production of the Exqui.City?
  No. The Exqui.City production line is not being restarted.
• Who works at HESS Belgium?
  According to Geert Van Hecke, the entire team consists of former Van Hool employees.
• Does the centre only support HESS and Van Hool buses?
  No. HESS Belgium is positioned as a multi-brand service and expertise centre covering maintenance, diagnostics, parts and modernisation.