Zug, Switzerland. Alex has acquired over 25 years of management, marketing, sales, and operational experience in various cultural environments within well-established companies, including: Total, BIA, BIHR, 1Parts, and Tenneco. “I am convinced that Alex Gelbcke’s unique combination of industry experience and interpersonal skills will enable him to lead the Benelux and French teams to the next level,” said Sinon Galvin, current CEO of Fource. “He is an ideal successor and a great choice to continue the market evolution that began with my visionary predecessor, Adriaan Roggeveen.”

“Sinon experienced a successful and eventful period at Fource, where he has been at the helm since 2014,” explained Arnd Franz, CEO of LKQ Europe. “This period was dominated by many acquisitions both in the Netherlands and Belgium, strong organic growth in France, and saw the subsequent transition from operations that were stand-alone to one that is functional and harmonized. It is now up to Alex to support the European integration program of 1 LKQ Europe, strengthen Fource’s leading market position in the region, and to create the best customer experience possible. Also, he will be responsible for completing the integration of our business in Belgium to serve both workshops and resellers, as well as facilitating growth in France."

Being part of LKQ Europe and Fource is a dream for anyone who is passionate, like me, about the Independent Aftermarket and wants to see it develop through excellence and innovation.

Alex Gelbcke
CEO of LKQ Fource

“I am extremely excited to join the LKQ Europe and Fource team which has consistently exhibited a clear vision and fantastic drive to the industry,” highlighted Gelbcke. “Being part of LKQ Europe and Fource is a dream for anyone who is passionate, like me, about the Independent Aftermarket and wants to see it develop through excellence and innovation.”

An important region

Although the Fource region is relatively small compared to other regions within LKQ Europe’s scope, such as Germany and Central and Eastern Europe, it is an important one for the company. “The team at Fource has a lot of knowledge in the field of digitization and logistics,” continued Franz. “Here, we are investing in a new central distribution center that will expand our logistics position in the market, both in the Netherlands and in Europe.”

Alex Gelbcke will have time to familiarize himself with Fource and LKQ Europe, working closely with Sinon Galvin until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. After six years, Sinon and his wife, Carolyn, have decided the time was right to return to the USA to be closer to their three children. We wish them nothing but success in the next phase of their LKQ journey.

About Fource Holding

Fource Holding, part of LKQ Europe, is active with Fource, CarSys, VanEsch, IPAR, VHIP and LKQ Belgium in the Dutch, Belgian and French markets. With access to over 170K in-stock references distributed throughout 130 company facilities, and supported by 180 wholesale partners, Fource Holding’s 3,800 employees make same day delivery of tens of thousands of article numbers to garages throughout the region a daily occurrence.

About LKQ Europe

LKQ Europe, a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation, is the leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts for cars, commercial vans and industrial vehicles in Europe. It currently employs around 27,000 people in over 20 European countries with a network of 1,100 branches and more than €5.2 billion in revenue in 2019. The group is represented by Euro Car Parts, Fource, Rhiag Group, Elit, Auto Kelly, STAHLGRUBER Group, as well as recycling specialist, Atracco. LKQ also holds a minority interest in Mekonomen.