VDL Berkhof was a Netherlands based bus and coach builder, founded in 1970 by Arthur Berkhof and his son Henk. It started with only 10 employees in a 1,000 m² factory. During the first 18 months the company only carried out bus repairs.

In 1985, the operation moved to a brand new 10,000 m² facility in Valkenswaard. The number of employees was now 132. The factory expanded in 1989 by an additional 10,000 m² resulting in a production capacity of 350 units a year following the acquisition of Hainje.

VDL Berkhof

In 1994 Belgium bus and coach manufacturer Jonckheere with a total sales of 400 units per year and 500 employees, was acquired. The total staff number of employees of the Berkhof Groep now reached 1,200.

VDL Berkhof

In 1997, the company changed its name from Berkhof Groep to Berkhof Jonckheere Groep. In 1998 it was bought by the VDL Groep and in 2010 was subsumed by VDL Bus & Coach.

VDL Berkhof

The company has also built low-floor articulated trolleybuses for Arnhem in the Netherlands, and Solingen in Germany.

Former models

Ambassador

Axial 50

Axial 70

Axial 100 DD

Eclipse

Excellence 500

Excellence 1000

Excellence 2000 HL / HLE

Excellence 3000

References

External links

VDL Berkhof official website

Companies based in North Brabant

Trolleybus manufacturers

VDL Groep

Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1970

2010 disestablishments in the Netherlands

Electric vehicle manufacturers of the Netherlands

Dutch companies established in 1970