Dockx: family business tackles corona
Through their strong digital strategy, Dockx was able to consolidate its market leadership for short-term rental of vans and trucks.
In a crisis like the COVID pandemic, it is important for a company to be able to react quickly to changing circumstances. Agility is a competency needed in such times. At the same time, a response plan is also an opportunity to review existing business processes. It turns a crisis plan into an exercise in efficiency and looking ahead. This is precisely how Dockx tackled the corona crisis.
Dockx is probably best known as a van and car rental company. The family business, founded in 1979, is now also active in many other areas: it offers archive storage, bodywork repairs and company and home removals. Operating in 22 locations, the group has 140 employees and manages a fleet of 1,500 vehicles. It is precisely this – in our country unique – combination of vehicle rental and repair and moving services that the family business has been playing out for several years. For goods that consumers cannot transport in a passenger car, Dockx rents out vans.
Pick-up points
Dockx is a strong Belgian brand with high brand awareness. Through their well-thought-out digital strategy, it managed to consolidate their market leadership for short-term rental of vans and trucks in recent years. Because Dockx does not operate in airports and train stations, the company suffered less from the corona crisis than its competitors who depend on those locations for a good chunk of their turnover. Nevertheless, the lockdowns caused a significant loss of sales, mainly due to the loss of customers from the event and travel sector. The group did not give up: the four least profitable shops were closed and major investments were made in unmanned pick-up points where vehicles can be reserved and picked up contactless, without the intervention of an employee. Furthermore, NSSO and VAT payments were postponed and repayment plans were reviewed. Nevertheless, additional funds were needed to regularise working capital, for which the company relied on a Coronalen loan, among other things.
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