About us
Gardec today
History
1995: SDS Ship Diesel Service is founded.
The founding of SDS by Hugo D’Hoedt and his late partner Nelly Cobbaert marks the beginning of our journey in the maritime sector. Initially, SDS established itself as an agent for ABC Engines on the Belgian North Sea coast, a role it still holds today. A year later, a major strategic step was taken with the acquisition of the TLC 600T dry dock.
1998: Expansion of activities.
The growth journey included the acquisition of ship repair and local steel company ‘Joël Verheye NV’ in 1998, paving the way for complete engine room overhauls. By 2003, Gardec expanded its services to dredging companies, no longer limiting itself solely to the fishing sector. In 2004, Gardec acquired the shipyards of ‘De Graeve NV.’
2006: Gardec launched as a group name.
Collective expertise was united under the new company name Gardec, derived from the family names Gardeyn and Becue. In 2008, Gardec established its own workshop for heavy industry.
2015: Brusselle joins the group.
In 2015, Gardec was one of the investors that enabled the relaunch of Brusselle, founded in 1929. Formerly based in Nieuwpoort, Brusselle relocated to Zeebrugge near Gardec and specializes in building winches and steering gear and providing associated service. Today, Brusselle is back in full Belgian ownership, with Gardec as the principal shareholder.
2018: New dry dock designed and engineered in-house.
For the new floating dry dock TLC 3000T, operational since 2020, Gardec’s engineers delivered outstanding engineering, including pump room designs, load calculations, windscreen development, and an innovative dock winch system…
2022: Acquisition of
‘Werkhuizen Decloedt’.
This Bredene-based company strengthened Gardec’s service expertise and perfectly complements its core values of technical excellence, craftsmanship, and flexibility. In 2024, the machine park in Bredene was expanded with two advanced teach-in lathes, enabling both Gardec and Brusselle to perform interventions more efficiently.
About us
Our mission
To excel in maritime repair, maintenance, and refitting, leveraging expertise in engineering, welding, and mechanics. We aim to be a leading and highly skilled competence center for offshore and onshore constructions as well as general welding projects. With craftsmanship and flexibility as core values, we are dedicated to delivering quality and reliability every day.
Service is central to us, and our customers notice this. Whether it’s urgent repairs at home or abroad, even outside regular working hours, they can count on us.
Our in-house engineering department plays a crucial role in our mission. By focusing on innovation, craftsmanship, and customer-driven solutions, our engineers design maritime, offshore, and industrial structures from concept to realization. Thanks to advanced technologies and specialized knowledge, we provide customized solutions with complete control over the process, from concept and design to realization and installation.
Our drive to continually look forward and improve forms the foundation of everything we do.
Quality and safety: our certificates, your guarantee
At Gardec, safety, quality, and craftsmanship are at the core of our activities. As our company grows, so do our standards for safety and quality. Our certifications reflect this commitment, ensuring that our processes, products, and work environments meet the strictest international standards.
• VCA Certification Since 2013
Safety is our number one priority. Since 2013, we have held the VCA certificate (Safety, Health, and Environment Checklist for Contractors). This means all our employees, from technicians to project managers, work according to the highest safety standards — both on-site and in the workplace.
• ISO 9001 – Quality Management since 2016
The quality of our products and services comes first. With the ISO 9001 certification, we demonstrate that our quality management system operates at an optimal level. This certification ensures a structured approach to our processes, resulting in continuous improvements.
Also for the welding processes and production of steel and stainless steel structures, respectively, our ISO 3834-2 certificate and EN 1090 FPC 2+ prove the highest quality.
Certifications we are proud of
About us
Our vision
Gardec strives to grow into the leading player in ship maintenance and repairs along the North Sea coast. From small tugboats to large dredgers: with a flexible and committed approach, we aim to make a difference for our customers.
At Gardec, we pride ourselves on being a proactive and adaptable partner, working closely with our customers to deliver tailored solutions. Our expertise in steel constructions and welding, both onshore and offshore is continuously refined to ensure the reliable craftsmanship our customers trust and value.
In welding, we are committed to reinforcing our position as a benchmark for high-quality steel constructions, from production to installation.
Innovation, quality, and customer focus are at the core of everything we do. Our goal is to be a trusted service partner in the maritime industry, addressing today’s demands while anticipating the challenges of tomorrow.
Looking to the future
The maritime sector is constantly evolving, and at Gardec, we are evolving along with it. We stay abreast of the latest trends, such as the emergence of hydrogen and methanol as alternative fuel sources and the electrification of ship fleets worldwide. Additionally, we see significant advancements in power management, where automation plays a key role in achieving greater efficiency and profitability. These developments require not only technical expertise but also vision and boldness, qualities that Gardec actively fosters.
Strategic partners
Partnerships for stronger service and quality
Brusselle Winches & Steering Gear
Brusselle Winches & Steering Gear, based in Zeebrugge, is a renowned company specializing in the design, production, and maintenance of robust, medium to large winches and hydraulic steering gear tailored to customer needs. With customers including shipyards, shipping companies, and port operators, Brusselle builds on decades of expertise and experience.
Collaboration is at the heart of Brusselle’s operations. Whether it involves delivering custom-made machinery, handling overhaul projects, or providing worldwide service activities, every task is carried out with the same dedication and precision to meet the unique needs of each customer.
Werkhuizen Decloedt
Werkhuizen Decloedt, located in Bredene, specializes in manufacturing unique parts and small series of components for installations and machinery in the maritime, industrial, and agricultural sectors. With years of experience in machining and close collaboration with clustomers, we deliver tailor-made parts that fit perfectly within any project.
At Werkhuizen Decloedt, we combine the best of conventional and CNC machines. Our advanced CNC machines, equipped with automatic tool changers and a capacity of up to forty tools, ensure efficiency and precision in series work. Simultaneously, our conventional lathes offer the flexibility to quickly and seamlessly produce unique pieces without interruptions. This guarantees a high degree of flexibility and short lead times for custom work orders.
