On 15 November 1984, Jan Van Herck and Josée Stevens took over the existing clothing company Verheyen-Cornelissen located at 46 Gasthuisstraat in Geel. They made women's aprons with floral print, school uniforms, gymnastics clothes, etc. and produced women's clothes under private label. At the end of the 80s, the production was increasingly relocated to low-wage countries and aprons with floral print disappeared from the streetscape. Jan had 20 years of experience in dressing professionals in the construction and industrial sectors, as a manager at Havep Belgium, and wanted to continue in this field. Market research showed that the care sector (nursing homes and hospitals) and the hospitality industry offered opportunities to expand the collection: professional workwear for the care sectors. Anne-Lore was chosen as the new brand name. The logo symbolises purity, quality and honesty in our way of doing business.
In the nineties Hans and Anne-Lore Van Herck became the 2nd generation to join the business. Step by step, the workwear expanded to include patient clothing, fire retardant bedding and anti-tear clothing for the elderly with dementia, psychiatric patients and people with disabilities.
At the end of 2009, on the occasion of the company's 25th anniversary, we did a complete re-branding. The name Van Herck and the brand name Anne-Lore fused into one. With this new house style and positioning, we were able to continue to grow. 'Wearing meets Caring' became our driving force: producing comfortable, protective clothing for patients that at the same time reduces the physical strain on carers. The focus is on commitment, problem-solving, quality and reliability.
By participating in foreign trade fairs, we broadened our horizons and increasingly collaborated with distributors in various European countries.
anne-lore by Van Herck continued to focus on product development and innovation. We experimented with experience and weighted products, which resulted in a nomination for the Revanueva in 2019 with our rest blanket. A specially designed blanket to be used in the seat, which stimulates the senses, envelops the body, improves body sensation and has a calming effect.
Within patient clothing, the focus was no longer only on functional but also on being beautiful and stylish. Clothing in colours, with prints, in jeans,... that approaches the look of regular clothing.
anne-lore by Van Herck is also convinced that every product should be made with respect for people, the environment and society. We want to further embed sustainable enterprise in our DNA. That is why, in 2020, together with Voka, we have drawn up an action plan to use energy more sparingly, to invest in human capital, to work with reusable packaging, to work with sheltered workshops, and to pay attention to the less fortunate in our society,.... We are on our way, but want to continue to work on this in the coming years.